The best week of the golf year is here. It’s British Open
week.
I get up at 5 a.m., brew coffee, toast a bagel, and sit down on
the couch to watch what I consider the World Championship of Golf.
Professionals from all over the world, many I’ve never heard of,
will compete this year at Royal St. George’s in Kent, England. Do
you remember the name of last year’s champion? It wasn’t Phil,
Tiger, or Ernie. It was Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa. Who
will it be this year? I say Lee Westwood. Head pro Jason Schmuhl
says Sergio Garcia while LPGA Pro Molly James is picking Rory
McIlroy.
Speaking of golf’s new golden boy, McIlroy is a heavy favorite
in the British Open with his odds of winning at 8-1 (yes, people do
bet on golf). He is a personable, pleasant young man from Northern
Ireland who hits the ball 340 yards. What’s not to like? But he
has one major championship. Tiger Woods has 14 and Jack Nicklaus
has 18. I would like to see Rory win 2 more majors before we ordain
him the next big thing.
Windsor Golf Club’s Joe Carlton recently became a PGA Class A
member. It’s taken thousands of hours in the pro shop as well as
thousands of dollars in travel costs to Florida but Joe has done
it. I worked briefly in the Windsor pro shop 6 years ago and Joe
was just getting started as a ‘cart guy.’ Back then I could get
close to beating him. Now it’s not even close. Maybe I could caddy
for him. Congratulations Joe, you’ve earned it.
Speaking of practice, here’s an idea for you. Bring three golf
balls to the putting green and play 18 holes. Hit each of the three
balls to the same hole and count your shots. Hole out even the
short ones. Go to five more different holes and repeat. Treat every
hole like a Par 2. A hole-in-one is a birdie and a 3-putt is a
bogey. If you can stay at even par for 18 holes then set your goal
for 2-under par the next time. Why does this work? Because you
simulate pressure you’ll feel on the course and you’ll use your
practice time wisely. You can easily play 72 holes in 30 minutes.
Who doesn’t have time for that?
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