Golfing News & Blog Articles

Happy 160th birthday to The Open and that grand October 17th day at Prestwick when a small gathering played for the belt.

No author is listed, but what a perfect way to commemorate the beginning of it all (for pro golf at least) by highlighting what the world looked like then. And I’m sure all of the grateful pro golfers aound the world today uttered a thought or two of appreciation today for the pioneering work of the Morris’s and Park’s that has allowed them to stockpile Porsches and bloated annuities.

A few of my favorites from 1860, courtesy of The Open site:

- Abraham Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States of America, making him the first Republican to hold the office.

- In 1860, there were only 33 American states, as opposed to the 50 that exist now, while the population of the USA was approximately 31 million. Today, the US population is over ten times as great, at 330 million.

Defending Champions Adam Scott, Inbee Park and Matt Jones

For the first time since the final year of World War II, the men’s Australian Open golf tournament will not be staged. Due to COVID-19 related issues, Golf Australia has also announced the cancellation of the Australian PGA and Women’s Open, which were last cancelled in 1995 and 2006, respectively.

From Golf Australia’s announcement:

“But even with multiple contingency plans, it has reached a point where decisions have to be made and this, regrettably, is the one we’ve had to take.”

A raft of measures were considered – including players entering a hub and competing while serving a strict quarantine period, as well as restricting crowd numbers and movement – but all options were unviable.
“We look forward to bringing all three tournaments alive again when they return as normal for summer 2021-22,” Kirkman said.

The Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship – the feature events on the PGA Tour of Australasia – were originally slated for a late November and early December window, to be played at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath and Brisbane’s Royal Queensland, respectively.

It appears it's time to press pause on the ANGC No. 13 Tee discussion - at least for now 😉 ©12OCT2020 David Dobbins/EurekaEarth * #EurekaEarth #NotDrone #DiscoverThePresent * #themasters #aerialphoto #aerialphotography #augustaga #augustanational #golfstagram #instagolf #golf #golfer #loveaugusta #masters #masters2020 #mastersgolf #morningdrive #tigerwoods #pgatour #golfaugusta #whyilovethisgame #augustanational #angc #pga365 #golfporn #augustanational #topgolf #fallMasters #topgolfaugusta #beautifulgolfcourses

The service road is in, the trees are planted and room has been left for a new 13th tee at Augusta National. All that’s missing is that magical blue hue in Rae’s Creek!

As you can see from Eureka Earth’s latest shot, the land acquired from Augusta Country Club behind the current tee now includes a handsomely decorated service road with lights, landscaping and even a sound wall on the inside corner to shield a future 13th tee.

This is all my nice build-up to pointing out the obvious: it will be years before an extended 13th tee could look even remotely attractive.

Now, I know what you’re saying, extending the par-5 13th would be all about restoring the risk-reward nature. Who cares if the back drop is more Sage Valley than Augusta National. The answer? The Lords of Augusta care.

The Houston Open hosted by the Astros* Foundation will be the second PGA Tour stop to welcome back fans. Capped at 2000 a day, as ESPN.com’s Bob Harig reports here, masks will be required. So will financing.

The Tour and the Houston Open announced Friday that up to 2,000 tickets would be available per day at $79 for the opening round and $109 per day for the remaining three rounds, prices that include food options.

The tour has not allowed spectators at events since returning from a 13-week break due to the coronavirus pandemic in June. The PGA Championship and U.S. Open were played without spectators, and the Masters will also not permit them when it is played next month.

I note the price merely because a round of golf at Memorial, renovated by Tom Doak and Brooks Koepka for the Houston Open, charges $30 on weekdays and $38 on weekends for 18 holes. Now that’s a deal!

The PGA Tour and the Houston Open announced Friday that up to 2,000 tickets will be available per day, making it the first time since March fans will be able to attend a PGA Tour event in the U.S.

Xander Schauffele made seven birdies over eight holes and settled for an 8-under 64 on Friday for a three-shot lead at Shadow Creek.

Player Information / Pairings / Results

October 14, 2020

New season, but familiar results.

Jeff Burda, the 2020 NCGA Super Senior Player of the Year, shot a final round 1-under 70 Wednesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course to come from behind and win the annual NCGA Super Senior Championship. For the 67- year-old Burda, it’s his second Super Senior title in three years (2018). The victory also marked Burda’s record 11th career NCGA Senior title. Previously, he had been tied with Gary Vanier at 10 for the all-time lead.

Player Information / Pairings / Results

October 13, 2020

Big Sur Flight

Tadashi Kawano took the title, shooting a final round 1-over 72 at Poppy Hills to finish at 6-under 136. Kawano had opened with a net 64 on Monday. Second place went to Dave Jones in a card-off. Jones tied with Tom Clydesdale at 147.

Golden Gate Flight

Billy Witt shot a final round 2-under 69 to come in at 7-under 135 and win by a stroke over runner-up Eric Jarvis. Jarvis had a second round score of 69. Third place went to David Spinks at 142.

English golfer Matt Wallace carded a 5-under 67 at Fairmont St Andrews to join Adrian Otaegui in the Scottish Championship lead on Friday.

The first round of the Dominion Energy Charity Classic was postponed Friday because of rain. The tour plans to finish the first round and start the second round Saturday in hopes of completing the 54-hole event Sunday.

Leaderboard: What's happening at the CJ Cup

The post Tulare County 4-Ball appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

The post Sacramento Regional Four-Ball Match Play appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

October 16, 2020

NCGA Mourns the Loss of Former Board Member Kenneth Haas

Former NCGA Board member Lt. Col. Kenneth M. Haas passed away at home on October 8. Mr. Haas was a resident of Merced, California for 50 years.

After graduating from Bangor High School in Bangor, PA in 1959, Ken, who was born on January 24, 1942, went on to Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on a football scholarship. After graduating from MSU, he entered the United States Air Force in 1968. He piloted KC-135’s. He eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1988.

Ken attended Yosemite Church of Merced. He was a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol for Merced, California. He was a member of Daedalians (Merced). He was on the board of directors for Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) for over eight years; and was a rules official over 20 years. Ken was an announcer at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for over 10 years. He also was on the board of directors for Castle Air Museum.

Ken is survived by his loving wife Joyce A. Haas; daughter Shellie and husband Michael Sweda. Brothers; Floyd Haas and Edward and wife Angelika Haas. Sisters; Ruth and husband Gary Gardner and Janet Groff. He also leaves behind two grandchildren Wyatt Sweda and Easton Rocket Sweda. He is preceded in death by his father Edward Haas, mother Myrtle Haas (Hetzel) and brother Daniel Haas.

The post Sacramento Regional Four-Ball Match Play appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

The post Salinas Valley Amateur & Senior appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

The post Mountain View City Amateur & Senior appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

The post Visalia City Amateur appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.

The post California State Fair Championship appeared first on Northern California Golf Association.