Before I get to our British Open predictions I’d like to encourage you to sign up a child or grandchild in your life for the final Windsor Junior Golf Camp of the summer. The dates are Aug. 2 through Aug. 4 and the cost is only $100. Call Demian in the golf shop at 707-838-7888 to sign up.
This is the best time of the year for golf fans. Beautiful weather and longer days make it easy to get out and play. And for fans of professional golf the summertime is nirvana. We’ve had two U.S. Opens already and in the next month we’ll have the PGA Championship, golf at the Rio Summer Olympics and this week’s British Open.
The 145th playing of the British Open at Royal Troon will undoubtedly provide drama as the world’s best players aim to be crowned ‘champion golfer of the year.’
As I’ve done in years past I’ve gathered predictions from friends of mine in the golf world. All of them gave me their favorites and a few of them gave me their long shots.
Patrick Steiner, Windsor Golf Club (WGC) pro chooses Adam Scott
Demian Reddy, WGC Tournament Director votes for Louis Oosthuizen
Daniel Stewart, Fairgrounds GC Head pro chooses Branden Grace
Jason Schmuhl, WGC Head Golf pro chooses Dustin Johnson to win and Graeme McDowell as a long shot
Alex Wright, former head pro at WGC votes for Jordan Spieth to win with Ernie Els as a long shot
Matt Calegari, WGC Junior golf coach chooses Jason Day to win and Padraig Harrington as a long shot.
Katie Calegari, third-grader votes for Rickie Fowler to win. “He’s so cute!”
Jackson Calegari, sixth-grader chooses Phil Mickelson. “Always Phil.”
Tim Bogue, Windsor professional golfer and one heck of a good guy votes for Alex Noren.
Why do I love the British Open so much?
First, it’s truly the world championship of golf. While many American golfers want to win the U.S. Open the most, international players consider lifting the Claret Jug to be the greatest accomplishment in golf.
Second, the weather is usually really bad and it’s fun to see the guys suffer once in a while. They normally play in Florida and California’s perfect weather and this week the wind is supposed to howl in western Scotland.
Lastly, I get to turn on the TV in the wee hours of the morning and watch the world’s best players while I’m in my pajamas, eating cinnamon rolls and drinking coffee (Since I’m 6 feet 2 inches and weigh 200 pounds I can indulge once in a while).
This week’s TV coverage actually starts at 10:30 pm on Wednesday night and if you want to sleep in the later coverage starts at 3 a.m.
Hopefully one of the above ‘experts’ gets it right. Set your alarm clock, enjoy the golf and I’ll talk to you soon.
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