Rees Jones has worked on a ton of golf courses — about 230 world-wide, according to the best estimates. He’s well known as “The Open Doctor’’ because he’s been brought in to get fine existing courses in shape for big championships. That number includes seven courses used for U.S. Opens, nine for PGA Championships and…
Features
Western Golf Association braces for its amateur doubleheader
This has indeed been a strange year for the Western Golf Association. The organization’s two national junior tournaments had to be canceled due to pandemic concerns and its two professional events were rescheduled for the same reason. The WGA’s two history-rich amateur championships, however, are going on as scheduled. The 120th playing of the Women’s…
WGA keeps in touch with these changing times for caddies
Youth caddies are facing an uphill climb during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Just ask members of the Western Golf Association. They campaigned relentlessly to make sure caddies were not forgotten as golf courses were in various phases of re-opening. Happily, progress is being made. Golf is back to being played in all 50 states and,…
Dick Sheehan reflects on the development of Jupiter’s Admirals Cove
JUPITER, FL. – Lots of things have changed since Dick Sheehan decided to settle in the Jupiter area in the late 1970s. “Nothing was here,’’ he said. “When I moved down here my intention was to create a marketing consultancy and focus on real estate. The market wasn’t nearly as sophisticated then as it would…
My tribute to Mistwood’s Jim McWethy
Saturday’s airing of the Golfers on Golf Radio show (WCPT 820-AM) was devoted largely to Jim McWethy, the owner of Mistwood Golf Club, in Romeoville. Mistwood general manager Dan Bradley and Golfers on Golf regulars Rory Spears, Ed Stephenson and Bill Berger joined me in paying tribute to McWethy, who passed away last week after…
Palmetto Traverse isn’t your usual putting green
Putting courses aren’t exactly new. Many golf facilities – even storied St. Andrews in Scotland – are adding them as a extra amenity at their facilities. The one that we played Monday in Santee, S.C., is one of the better ones. It’s called Palmetto Traverse. Santee is a town of barely 1,000 residents but its…
Woods notches another big win — but this one was different
Tiger Woods was a winner in his first televised golf appearance in 98 days on Sunday. No, it wasn’t his 83rd tournament title that would have broken a tie with Sam Snead for most wins on the PGA Tour but this was a big win nonetheless. It came in an event called The Match: Champions…
Golf was different, but McIlroy was still the star of the show in return to TV
It was, at the very least, a good start. Live televised sports competition returned on Sunday, and the TaylorMade Driving Relief event didn’t look much like the golf played by Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff at the last PGA Tour event on March 12. On Sunday the players all wore shorts,…
Golf starts the return of live TV sports events — and I can’t wait
It won’t be long now. Live televised sports competition is about to return, and golf is leading the way. While tentative tournament schedules were drawn up months ago, now there’s something concrete and – as a purely personal perk – the first two big events will be conducted almost in my Florida backyard. A four-player…
WHERE ARE YOU PLAYING NEXT? Myrtle Beach
ONE IN A SERIES Rory Spears and Len Ziehm are combining efforts on golf travel destinations they’ve visited over the years. This one is on Myrtle Beach, S.C. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Golf courses here – and there’s about 100 of them – are ready for players, and they have been for quite awhile. This…