Lee Elder, Pioneer and Champion, Visits Golf House

Lee Elder, Pioneer and Champion, Visits Golf House

PGA and Champions Tour winner Lee Elder, a pioneer in minorities gaining access to the world of golf was in Far Hills this week at the USGA.  I am lucky enough to live in New Jersey and read about the event in the local newspapers.  He came to see the Golf House museum for the first time and to help in the museum’s campaign to collect more artifacts for its African-American archive. The museum currently has a display in the hall of memorabilia from three black athletes who made significant contributions to the sport of golf, Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis and Althea Gibson.

Elder was won four times on the PGA Tour and eight times on the Champions Tour.  His journey to the top was filled with hard work and mental toughness.  He lost both his parents when he was 9 years old.  Elder’s aunt moved him and his older brother to Los Angeles when he was 14 years old.  That move helped his development as a golfer as he finally got access to a golf course.   In Los Angeles, Elder also met Ted Rhodes, a talented player in the area who helped him improve his game.  Elder started playing with a cross-handed grip for his full swing, his left hand was below his right on the club.

Elder earned his PGA Tour Card at 33 years old, qualified for 14 U.S. Open and became the first African American to play in the Masters (1975).  The highlight of his career though, was earning a spot on the 1979 Ryder Cup team and playing for his country.  Elder always tried to improve conditions for those who would follow him so they did not have to struggle with the same hardships that he did.  His career is a story of dedication and resolve for the game he loves.

Augusta National Expands its Membership to Include Women

Augusta National Expands its Membership to Include Women

Did Augusta National get it right today?  You bet they did.  Finally the all male club asked two women to join the club that everyone wants to know more about.  Condoleezza Rice, the former Secretary of State and Darla Moore, a financier in South Coralina  were both invited to join Augusta National. 

In 2002 Martha Burke, Chairwoman of the National Council of Women’s Organization sent a letter to then Chairman Hootie Johnson questioning the membership policies of the club and why women were not invited to join.  At the time there was a protest that Burke organized during the Masters Tournament to bring these membership practices to the forefront of the public conversation.

Billy Payne is the Chairman who facilitated this change.  Payne has done his job well to keep Augusta National in the conversation around the water cooler especially when the actual tournament is in April.  You are going to read many thoughts about this action and most all of them will be positive.  In an age of Title IX in sports it is a shame that the PGA Tour couldn’t expand their pressure on Augusta to take this step sooner.  Surely nobody wants to anger the event that everyone needs on their schedule and wants an invitation to play in. 

Kudos to Sergio Garcia for winning the Wyndham Championship today.  He just might make the Ryder Cup with that win..

Choi Wins US Womens Open

Choi Wins US Womens Open

Na Yeon Choi held on to shoot 73 on Sunday to win the US Womens Open.  Yes she did hold on for the win!  On a final day of a U.S. Open when only three players broke 70 and seven players shot 80 or above Choi held on to a  tidy round of 73, unlike her 65 on Saturday.  She was steady all day and especially  after making a triple bogey on the 10th hole to shoot 1 over on her final nine and win by 4 shots.  Good for her, she played great for her first major win under tough conditions.

As for our American women in the field Paula Creamer held the flag for the U.S. finishing at 3 over for the championship.   Along with Christie Kerr and Natalie Castrale all three made the top 10.  Tough sledding for our women players though, Dotti Pepper is on record saying the women players of the U.S. aren’t working hard enough.  When Pepper leaves the tower after her broadcast day is over only the foreign players are left on the range.  Kind of an interesting observation from a gritty past champion.

Hats off to Ted Potter Jr. for winning at the Greenbrier Classic in extra holes against Troy Kelly.  It is always great to see a new winner take the trophy and blazer on Sunday.  These guys sound llke two players who would play in your local Club Championship.  Not too bad.

The Open Championship is coming soon!  Live golf on TV when you get up in the morning.  I love it..

45th PGA Professional National Championship

45th PGA Professional National Championship

You may be wondering what the title of this post is all about.  Well once a year the PGA of America holds its championship for the club pros in the country.  Yes that’s right your local PGA club pro maybe  playing for the national championship.  This years event is held in Seaside, California at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Coures.  At stake for the winner is $75,000, a chance to play in the 2012 PGA Championship in August and exemptions into six PGA Tour events.  There is also another bonus for the top 20 players in the field.  They too get a spot in this years PGA Championship.  This great accomplishment is what we all dream about when they post the entry information for the local section championship.

Currently after three rounds our local New Jersey PGA Professionals Brian Gaffney and Frank Esposito both made the cut and have a great chance to punch their ticket to the Ocean Course on Kiawah Island SC in August.  Gaffney is tied for 13th and Esposito is tied for 29th.  Now only the top 20 players get in so their may be a playoff tomorrow for those final spots.  All the best to Brian and Frank on their quest to play in the years last Major.  Be sure to watch Golf Channel at 4:30 on Wednesday to see the final round.