2017 Golf Oklahoma June | July

Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS JUNE/JULY 2017

Volume 7 Issue 3

The Goods 16

Tom Bedell’s book reviews, Ed Travis on equipment, best cigars

Chip Shots 20

• • • • • •

OSU Coaches take on cancer Grace Shin in recovery from leukemia New pros at South Lakes in Jenks Jim Unruh leaves a legacy of service Shangri-La hotel opens Justin Watkins lends a hand

Competition 28 30 32

High school stars dazzle

34

Oklahoma City duo reaches final of U.S. Four-Ball Championship

Stars senior class wins second title Sooners come together in time to win national championship

54 Travel 54

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Features 38 42 46 48 52

Hall of Fame inductee Doug Tewell Hall of Fame inductee Mark Hayes Oklahoma course updates Johnny Morris; building a golf empire Texas-Oklahoma Junior turns 60

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Traveling the Audubon Trail

Departments 10 12 12 13 14 36 37 56 58 60 61

Letter from the Publisher OGA ED Mark Felder WOGA ED Sheila Dills Rules, Gene Mortensen USGA by David Thompson Professional Profile: Kevin Tway Amateur Profile: Hayden Wood Instruction: Michael Boyd Superintendent’s Perspective: Chris Cook Fitness Schedules and results

On the cover The happy national champions, back row from left, Coach Ryan Hybl, alternate Quade Cummins, Blaine Hale, Griffin Pierce, assistant coach Jim Garren. Front row: Brad Dalke, Grant Hirschman, Max McGreevy, Thomas Johnson and Rylee Reinertson. Photo by Tim Cowie.

Support junior golf by contributing to the OGA Foundation Call 405-848-0042 for more information 6

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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JUNE/JULY 2017

FROM THE PUBLISHER KEN M AC LEOD

swer is nine states have hosted 10 or more major championships. Only six have been held in our mighty neighbor to the south and none recently. There are 24 states that have hosted zero majors and another 12 at five or fewer.

Oak Tree National provided the state with the 2014 U.S. Senior Open and continues to pursue events of international interest. The USGA has held 20 championships in our state, the most recent being the 2015 Much remains unclear with the two up- U.S. Junior Girls Championship. Yet it was coming PGA of America championships at the reluctance of the USGA to commit to Southern Hills Country Club. When will a fourth U.S. Open at Southern Hills that the PGA Championship come to Tulsa? opened the door for the return of the PGA. The USGA was on the minds of SouthWill the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship be held in May or August? ern Hills leadership after the conclusion Same question for the PGA Championship. of the 2007 PGA Championship. It was a successful event that produced a One thing is certain, howevgreat champion in Tiger Woods, er, and that is that all golf fans but the weather was brutally hot in Oklahoma can give Southern and the lure of a fourth U.S. Open Hills General Manager Nick was strong.

Sidorakis a round of applause When Congressional needed a for his perseverance in pursuing course to step in and host the 2009 major championship golf for U.S. Amateur Championship not only his club, but the city due to its renovations, Southern of Tulsa and the entire state of Hills accommodated and moved Oklahoma. up a year. All indications during It’s a team effort certaily.

Nick Sidorakis that event from USGA officials Southern Hills has a great were positive. Yet years went by board and the PGA Professional of the Year in the pro shop in Cary Cozby and no word on a future U.S. Open was But part of Sidorakis’ job is to relentlessly forthcoming. Now the Open is scheduled pursue these events, and he revealed how out through 2024. Southern Hills officials deeply he wanted to see major champion- would still welcome its return, but the reship golf return to the state after the press cruiting process will have to begin again for conference May 30. Nick is 58, just a few a date well past 2030, which likely means it months younger than myself, and neither of will be Sidorakis’ successor’s task, as well as us wanted to wait until we were 70 to see all new USGA officials who won’t have an extensive history with Southern Hills. the next major event in Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, everyone will be riveted to All state golf enthusiasts need to reflect on how fortunate we are to have Southern see if the PGA of America pulls the trigger Hills, Oak Tree National and the people and moves its championship to May, which who work so hard to bring these events, would affect the PGA Senior Championbecause it doesn’t happen just anywhere or ship by forcing it to a later date.

Although we hate to see the seniors even most places.

How many states besides a few select sweat it out in August, we love the idea of a east and west coast venues have hosted 10 May date for the PGA Championship. The men’s major championships, which will event will have to contend with mostly erbe Oklahoma’s total whenever the PGA rant weather predictions of doom, but the Championship arrives? That includes the course will boast firm, fast greens and the 1935 PGA Championship at Twin Hills temperatures will be anywhere from pleasCC in Oklahoma City and the 1988 PGA antly cool to low 80s, a far cry from 105.

No matter which months the events are Championship at Oak Tree National in Edmond but does not include senior majors, of held and which year the PGA Championwhich both the U.S. Senior Championship ship makes its fifth appearance at Southern and the PGA Senior Championship have Hills (we’re guessing 2026), we appreciate been held in the past 11 years at Oak Tree what Nick and the club have accomplished.

National.

– Ken MacLeod If you take away The Masters, the an-

Sidorakis deserves credit for major return

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Volume 7, Number 3 Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 200 Tulsa, OK 74136 918-280-0787

LIKE US!

FACEBOOK.COM/ GOLFOKLAHOMAMAGAZINE

Oklahoma City Office 405-640-9996 Publisher Ken MacLeod ken@golfoklahoma.org

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COO/Marketing Director A.G. Meyers agm@golfoklahoma.org Art & Technology Director Chris Swafford chris@golfoklahoma.org Subscriptions to Golf Oklahoma are $15 for one year (five issues) or $25 for two years (10 issues). Call 918-280-0787 or go to www.golfoklahoma.org.

Contributing photographers Rip Stell, Bill Powell Golf Oklahoma PGA Instructional Staff Jim Woodward Teaching Professional, Oak Tree National jwoodwardgolf@sbcglobal.net, 405-3482004 Jim Young Teaching Professional, River Oaks CC 405-630-8183 Pat McTigue Manager, GolfTec Tulsa pmctigue@golftec.com Tracy Phillips Director of Instruction, FlyingTee vt4u@yahoo.com, 918-352-1089 Maggie Roller Director of Instruction, Cedar Ridge CC maggie.roller@sbcglobal.net, 918-261-1441 Jerry Cozby PGA Professional jerrycozby@aol.com, 918-914-1784 Michael Boyd, PGA Professional Indian Springs Country Club 918-455-9515 Oklahoma Golf Association 2800 Coltrane Place, Suite 2 Edmond, OK 73034 405-848-0042 Executive Director Mark Felder mfelder@okgolf.org Director of Handicapping and Course Rating Jay Doudican jdoudican@okgolf.org Director of Junior Golf Morri Rose morose@okgolf.org Copyright 2017 by Golf Oklahoma Magazine. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Golf Oklahoma. Golf Oklahoma is published by South Central Golf, Inc.

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MARK FELDER

OGA Executive Director

FROM THE OGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OGA announces scholarship recipients In 2017, the Oklahoma Golf Association is awarding four $5,000 scholarships, each named in honor of a longtime OGA volunteer.

The Bill Barrett Scholarship goes to Ardmore’s Samantha Peters, who will attend Murray State. The Roy Oxford Scholarship goes to Ada’s Ben Pruitt, who is undecided on his collegiate destination.

The Corky Billen Scholarship was awarded to Owasso’s Dakota Clark, who will attend Oklahoma Baptist. And the Gene Mortensen Scholarship goes Brice Terry to Checotah’s Brice Terry, on his way to Seminole State.

In addition, the OGA awards five $2,500 scholarships. They went to Beggs’ McKenzie McCoy, heading for Oklahoma City University; Owasso’s Jacob Stoller, committed to Southwest Oklahoma State; Fort Gibson’s Shelby Phillips, going to Oklahoma Baptist; Hilldale’s Grant Sikes, going to St. Gregory’s and Hilldale’s Shelby McGlothlin, who also lists St. Gregory’s.

SHEILA DILLS

These young golfers were selected from a very impressive field who all contribute greatly to their teams, communities and schools…

OGA President Heath Myers of Kingfisher, a longtime top amateur player in the state, earned his first OGA title by teaming with Scott Kedy to win the Spring Four-Ball Championship at Twin Hills Country Club. The two shot a blistering 61 in the first round and cruised home with a second-round 66.

Our senior winners included former Major League Baseball player Mickey Tettleton, Samantha Peters who paired with Jeff Oakes to win by a shot over Michael Alsup and Ken Kee. Alsup is a former University of Tulsa player who is helping lead the effort to bring back men’s golf at TU. Anyone interested in helping with that cause should contact him.

Looking ahead, the OGA is excited about the events on the horizon. The OGA Junior Boys & Girls Championship returns to Kickingbird Golf Club in Edmond on June 5-8.

President WOGA

The Senior State Amateur will be at Oak Tree Country Club on June 19-22, followed closely by the OGA Stroke Play Championship on June 26-28 at Muskogee CC and the Senior Stroke Play Championship on July 10-11 at Shawnee Country Club.

All of which builds up to our flagship event, the State Amateur Championship at wonderful Southern Hills on July 17-19.

Qualifiers will be held July 5 at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City and July 7 at Bailey Ranch in Owasso, and there is still time to enter for your chance to be one of the 64 to tee off at Southern Hills. Just go to www.okgolf.org for more information.

The OGA announced this year that it will be helping fund and support junior play days on Tuesdays at Kickingbird and in Tulsa with the First Tee program at Mohawk Park.

The OGA board would like to deepen the organization’s involvement with these type of grow-the-game programs and initiatives throughout the state.

Finally, the OGA wishes the best to University of Central Oklahoma golfer Grace Shin of Tulsa in her recovery from leukemia.

Grace is a wonderful spirit and the letter she wrote defying the disease is truly inspirational. We encourage you to give it a read at www.theodysseyonline.com/open-letterleukemia.

WOMEN’S OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION

Hall, McCoy receive WOGA scholarships Elk City’s Kinsley Hall and Beggs’ McKenzie McCoy are the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association’s 2017 scholarship winners.

Hall is headed to St. Gregory’s and McCoy will attend Oklahoma City University.

Hall maintained a 3.95 grade point average on a 4.0 scale at Elk City and was an all-state golf selection. She finished tied for 10th in the Class 4A state tournament and led Elk City to third place.

McCoy, a frequent volunteer at the Tulsa Boys Home, had a 4.22 GPA while qualifying for the Class 3A state tournament, where she finished third behind Taylor Towers and ShaeBug Scarberry…

Excitement is building at WOGA and entries are being accepted for the State Amateur Championship, scheduled July 17-20. This will be the first time for the event at Oak Tree National, once known 12

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as the hardest course in the country, probably still somewhere in the top 15. The championship flight players will play the course at close to 6,200 yards, which will be a stern challenge.

The higher handicap players will play a much shorter course, but don’t be surprised if Oak Tree has its way. Much of the trouble at the famed Pete Dye layout is around the greens and no contraction of Kinsley Hall the course will save the unprepared from some of Dye’s most diabolical inventions. Fair warning, ladies practice your bunker play, wedges,

chipping and putting before you take on this challenge.

We’re also looking forward to the State Junior Girls Championship on June 2829 across the street at Oak Tree Country Club. The fundraiser for that event is June 27 at Oak Tree and everyone is welcome to enter.

The entry fee is $1,000 per team and includes a round of golf for four, range balls, award luncheon and you do not McKenzie McCoy have to have a WOGA member to play. Go to www. woga.us to register or for more information.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

GENE MORTENSEN

OGA Rules Director

OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION NEWS

Which rule is most often breached?

Which one of the 34 Rules is face, pressing a club on the ground, and re- actually “chopping” weeds. I saw another player stand on a low hanging limb as he moving or pressing down replaced divots. most often breached?

I have seen some violators of the Rule played his shot.

My dentist, Ron French, said it is Rule Some of you are thinking that, in some 26 and taking relief from lateral water haz- who were very sly. One player innocently ards. I suggest that it is Rule 13 because it is stood behind the ball to plan his next shot, circumstances, I could break the Rule just invoked with every stroke, everywhere on but he also had one foot pressing down to be able to make a shot. The USGA wouldn’t put you in jeopardy while the course. With that number of opyou make a reasonable effort to play portunities for a violation it stands to the game and, accordingly, there is an reason that more glitches are likely exception for committing a prohibited to occur. Take a look at the following act if it is done in “fairly taking your and see if you don’t agree. stance” and making reasonable efforts Rule 13 pertains to the four basic to hit the ball. locations: 1) spot on which your ball Rule 13 also pertains to a ball in a lies; 2) space you will occupy to take hazard and what acts are permissible. a stance and make a stroke; 3) line You are not permitted to touch the you wish the ball to take following ground in the hazard with your hand the stroke; and, 4) place where you or a club or to touch or move a loose will drop or place a ball in taking impediment. A word of caution here; relief. You’ve heard the expression, the term “hazard” includes bunkers “play the course as you find it; and your ball as it lies,” and that is put No, you can’t push down the grass behind your ball. as well as water hazards. There is no penalty if you touch the ground in a into operation by Rule 13. Do nothing to improve or alter those four locations the grass immediately behind the ball. I as- hazard in order to remove an Obstruction. sessed the 2-stroke penalty because he al- So, remove the rake, but don’t touch the in order to play your next stroke.

Specific acts that are prohibited include lowed the shot to be easier, as there was a pine cone that lies next to it.

Should you have questions about the bending or breaking anything growing; path for the club. Another player appeared eliminating irregularities of the ground sur- to be taking practice strokes but he was Rules, contact the OGA.

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DAVID THOMPSON

USGA Regional Affairs Committee

UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION

USGA fortunate with sterling venues The challenging Karsten Creek Golf The U.S. Open local qualifier was con- Erin Hills, site of the 2017 U.S. Open where ducted May 9 at the recently updated Jim- the course will play between 7,400 and Club will host the U.S. Amateur Champi7,600 yards. These are demanding tests to onship qualifying on July 10. We anticimie Austin OU Golf Club. pate playing the 36 holes Playing at 7,363 yards around 7,400 yards at with new strategically par-72 in preparation for placed bunkers and qualifiers advancing to relocated green comthe U.S. Amateur playing plexes, the golf course The Riviera Country Club presented a challenge at over 7,200 yards, parfor many of the players, 70. Karsten Creek, home but four players were course for the OSU golf able to score under par. team, always presents a Another four players tough test and if the wind equaled par and parblows, can be extremely ticipated in a playoff difficult. If you want to to determine the final see some great golf, the qualifying spot. Colpublic is welcome so put legiate golfers dominaton your walking shoes ed the qualifiers with and come on out. three Oklahoma State USGA Committee players, one Oklahoma members are fortunate player and a Web.com Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course was site of local U.S. Open qualifier. to have golf courses such player advancing.

Those five qualifiers will advance to a find those people with the talent necessary as Jimmie Austin OU and Karsten Creek Sectional qualifying location for an addi- to compete for the prestigious champion- available to find the best players to advance to USGA championships. tional 36 holes to attempt to move on to ship.

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

McKinney, Cox selected by Golf HOF The Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame is very proud to announce its 2017 scholarship recipients are Dustin Graham Cox of Duncan High School and Chloe McKinney of Durant High School.

The two were selected from a strong and deep field of applicants by the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame scholarship committee and approved by the board. They will each receive a $5,000 scholarship and be honored at the Oklahoma Golf Hall Chloe McKinney of Fame 2017 Induction Ceremony Oct. 1 at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club.

“It was a very strong field, but Graham and Chloe stood out with their community service, excellent academic work and leadership skills in addition to their golf-

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

ing prowress,” said Lew Erickson, chairman of the scholarship committee. “We know they will do well in college and be excellent representatives of this honor.”

Cox, who will attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall and major in pre-law and political science, is a National Honor Society member, having maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and has a long list of academic and community service accomplishments. He helped lead DunGraham Cox can to a sixthplace finish in the Class 5A state championship while finishing 14th individually, his second consecutive top 20-finish in the state finals.

“I am thrilled and honored to be selected by the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame for

this scholarship,” Cox said.

McKinney, who will attend the University of Central Oklahoma and intends to major in speech pathology, wrote a delightful essay about her history and struggles with the game that helped separate her from the candidates. She has maintained a 3.94 GPA and is a National Honor Society member, also very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and at her church in Durant.

On the course, McKinney has been a starter and solid contributor for Durant for the past three years, including helping lead the team to the 2016 Class 5A state championship. Durant finished third in 2017 and McKinney finished 14th overall. Durant twice won the Academic State Championship as well.

Ticket information on the 2017 Inductions of Mark Hayes, Bob Tway, Doug Tewell, Joe Walser and Ernie Vossler at

www.oklahomagolfhof.org

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The

Some things we like to do before and after the round

GOODS

The Bookshelf

tougher to picture Joe Golfer responding to the suggestion: “On one hole, emotionally fall in love with each shot before you hit it.” Or, “On one hole, skip for 20 seconds between each shot.” by tom bedell I’m being arch again. I actually think the ia Nilsson and book is packed with inLynn Marri- triguing information and ott have been advice, and I look forward coaching some of the to trying out many of the professional game’s top Explorations. But I may players, and rank ama- skip the skipping. teurs, for decades now, and have put their VI- THE 1997 MASTERS: SION54 theories and techniques into a MY STORY It was interesting to handful of fascinating books.

The best-known may be “Every Shot read “Be a Player” right afMust Have a Purpose,” and when it ap- ter plowing through Tiger peared in 2005, I wrote that it had “a good Woods’ tale of one of the ratio of intriguing advice to mumbo jumbo.” most peak performances I was being arch, since the book was ever. “The 1997 Masters: crammed with as many intellectual con- My Story” (Grand Central cepts as training techniques, many of the Publishing, $30) came out former of which I suspected would sail over just in time for the 20th anthe heads of most golfers. But the approach niversary of Tiger’s epic 12-stroke victory, appealed to me, a master of potential over securing his first major title, and electrifying the world of golf. results.

This book won’t have the same effect, The vision, in brief, suggests that players have probably made a birdie on every I’m sorry to say. It was written with Lorne hole at their home course over time. Do it R u b e n - stein, one of the best golf scribes we have, and I can only imagine in one round and you that this promising assignment have a 54. Impossible? was like trying to get blood So was, once, the fourfrom a rock. minute mile. And last Tiger has never been publicly year on tour Jim Furyk known as a gregarious sort — shot a 58. Four strokes indeed, he gets a little guarded to go. and defensive here BE A PLAYER about the The duo’s new efguarded fort, “Be A Player” (Atria and defenBooks, $25), written with sive interSusan K. Reed, might be views he concisely described as the gave at human potential moveAugusta in ment for golf, far more 1997 — and concerned with a mental he hasn’t than technical approach transformed to improving one’s game. More accurately, magically it’s about one’s mental awareness of how himself between these one approaches one’s game, and supplies a covers.

The voice we hear — series of “On-Course Explorations” to lead a player closer to Flow, the state of peak per- and let’s keep in mind Tiger is 41 now, and he’s been through a few formance.

Here’s where the book gets a little tricky. things — sounds strangely jejune. Maybe Sure, anyone might play a hole focused on Tiger (or Rubenstein) was trying to recreate keeping one’s shoulders relaxed, or even a the Tiger of 20 years ago, but it doesn’t ring hole where you hum during each swing. It’s quite, well, adult enough.

Going with the flow

P

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The book precedes in a day-by-day chapter sequence, with a promising beginning, talking about Tiger’s less-than-promising start at the tournament, a 40 on the front nine. I was fairly quickly reminded of Jane Leavy’s “Sandy Koufax: A Lefty’s Legacy,” which took an inning-by-inning chapter sequence around the Dodgers great’s September 1965 perfect game.

It’s a sound structure, giving the authors ample room for all sorts of careerspanning asides while maintaining some forward momentum toward a known conclusion. The trick is to create some excitement.

The late great Herbert Warren Wind was a master at this; his articles about tournaments in The New Yorker appeared weeks or even months after the event, yet couldn’t have been more thrilling.

Leavy pulled it off, Woods does not.

He actually falls into the trap of talking about shot after shot as the tournament progresses, and any duffer whose eyes have glazed over as a partner begins a recitation of a round knows how plodding this can be. True, Tiger’s shots were a little more meaningful — heck, downright historic, but here they’ll soar only for the most rabid golf geek.

There are worthwhile nuggets in the book — Tiger seeking advice from some of the greats he was about to supplant, references to the way Earl Woods trained the young Tiger and Tiger’s thoughts about what his win meant for minorities.

But it all suggests this might have been a better book if it had merely been about Woods, and not by him.

A TRIBUTE TO AN AMERICAN ICON Two volumes from Skyhorse Publishing are neither weighty nor disappointing.

They’re merely enjoyable. David Fischer and David Aretha’s “Arnold Palmer: A Tribute to An American Icon” ($24.99) goes GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

over a lot of familiar ground in recounting the life and career of the King, and in no way threatens to topple the more inclusive and journalistic biography by Tom Callahan reviewed in the April-May issue, the first in what we predict will be a long and steady stream of Palmer tomes.

But this volume will take the coffee table spot, and in its oversized format makes splendid use of many vintage Palmer photographs, mainly by the Associated Press. The book is a primer in a way. As the authors put it, “If you’re an older reader, we hope this book rekindles memories of Arnie’s magical moments. If you’re a younger reader, be prepared to be inspired.”

The man had charisma, no doubt. The two Davids unearthed this summary quote from Lee Trevino: “I used to hear cheers go

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

up from the crowd around Palmer. And I never knew whether he’d made a birdie or just hitched up his pants.”

In 1968, Palmer became the first tour player to pass the $1 million mark in career earnings. His top earning year was 1971, pocketing $162,896 after winning four times in 24 starts. The 2017 Byron Nelson tournament ended as I wrote this, and the four players tied for ninth all earned $195,000 from that event alone.

They can thank Palmer, and Woods, for a lot of that extra change.

ALL THE MEMORABLE ROUNDS The spirit of the game never really changes, and it is the soul of golf that Tripp Bowden is chasing in “All the Memorable Rounds” ($24.99), a series of anecdotal essays keying on various courses, famous and

otherwise.

Bowden, the first full-time white caddie to ever loop at Augusta, and author of the previous “Freddie & Me” about Augusta National’s long-time caddie master Freddie Bennett, recounts some of his earliest encounters with the game he clearly loves, and presents a colorful cast of characters who helped make the particular rounds described as memorable as they are.

Actually, like a fair-haired Tom Sawyer, Bowden presses some of these characters into service, and has them write 12 of the 22 chapters. But I suspect that Bowden edited some of those pieces, too, because there’s something of a southern twang throughout the book, and a suspicious abundance of wry metaphors even in the guest contributions.

Bowden wholly ignores one of the bits of advice in Strunk and White’s classic “The Elements of Style” -- “Do not affect a breezy manner.” There’s plenty of wind blowing through these accounts, but it’s all lighthearted, poignant and fun. And in the best way, kind of like the game itself.

As a golfer, Tom Bedell has always had great potential.

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GOODS

Driving Miss Daisy by ed travis

children, but eventually up regularly.

Golf is simple — start over here and hit returned and now tees it the ball into a little hole over there. But it’s She plays to a handicap of 12 and said she’s working to get it lower. certainly not easy.

Miss Daisy said she learned how simple This, not too startling fact, was brought home to me by an experience involving a golf was early on, but then went a step furlady who, when we were introduced on the ther and figured out the secret to the game was hitting the driver a long way. She had first tee, said her name was Daisy.

Our group was composed of Miss Daisy, been longer than average as a girl and when a member at the club we were playing, plus she returned to the game she took lessons, another member and his guest. I was there still takes them to keep improving, and is filling some down time between an assign- working on getting even more distance off the tee. ment at a nearby Oh, did I tell you, resort and my next stop at another reIf you want to be the best she’s a grandmother and 70 years old? sort. you can be the conclusion is Again, amazing.

We three males So I relearned it’s decided to play inescapable. You have to hit all about distance. the tee set shown the ball further.

If you want to on the card at just post better scores under 6,600 yards the short game is and Miss Daisy was on the women’s tees…excuse me, important but think about what it would the forward tees which were about 5,800 mean to your game if you were 10, 15, 20 or yards. The men hit and demonstrated a va- even 25 yards closer to every green.

Still not convinced? Who’s the best playriety of success, but at least we could find each of the golf balls. Miss Daisy, who was er among your regular group? It’s almost a my cart partner, hit a nice little draw to the sure bet he’s as long as or longer than anymiddle of the fairway, then a 7-iron to the body else you play with.

If you want to be the best you can be green. She was the only one of the group the conclusion is inescapable. You have with a GIR. Being somewhat slow on the uptake, it to hit the ball further. The idea of “sweet wasn’t until after the fourth hole when I swinging” and “keeping the ball in play” realized Miss Daisy was not only scoring and “steady down the middle” just doesn’t as well as we three males but accepting cut it. It’s OK if you are satisfied with your the fact she was playing from more for- present scores but to get better think disward tees, often outdriving us. A few quick tance, distance, distance.

The obvious benefit is shorter approach shots with my laser rangefinder told me her typical tee shot went between 160 and 175 shots. Hank Haney makes the point, if the 14 tee shots of a typical round average an yards.

Amazing given the fact most female am- additional 15 yards the course is shortateurs do well to get their tee ball over 130. ened by 210 yards and that’s more than the Miss Daisy and I had an interesting dis- length of most par-3s. So instead of a faircussion during our time on the cart and way wood, hybrid or 5-iron for a second after the round (she outscored two of the shot you might have a 7-iron.

I don’t know about you but my chances three men easily and I won’t tell you if I was one of the two) while having a drink of hitting a 7-iron on the green are a lot better than with my 3-hybrid. on the veranda she told me her story.

More than 80 percent of players slice.

After learning the game as a girl, she had given it up for 20 years or so to raise her It robs them of distance, hurts their con18

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fidence and is a source of chronic frustration. A banana ball could be the result of everything from a bad grip to poor set-up to an inefficient swing or often the wrong driver — too stiff a shaft, not enough loft, etc. We may not have it in us to swing at 125 mph like Bubba and Dustin Johnson, but the typical male golfer swings at around 85 mph and when conditions are right and there’s not too much slice the ball rolls out to maybe 200 yards.

Fixing your swing to produce 5-more mph with a draw could easily add 15 yards and think of the potential impact. Hazards (or at least some of them) are out of play and carrying those strategically placed bunker becomes possible.

If you learn how to hit tee shots longer you will be longer with every other club as well. Plus there’s another big bonus -- less club into the green takes the pressure off your putting.

This transformation requires getting rid of your slice or “power fade” or whatever you call it by learning to hit the ball right to left so it flies further, has less spin and rolls out more.

Odds are you don’t even need a new driver, maybe just a shaft to fit your swing speed and since most drivers today are adjustable, moving the loft up to 10.5 degrees or higher may be a big help. The first step is to see a PGA professional for advice.

Fixing your swing is more involved, but with instruction you can do it. Maybe it will be something as simple as getting your hands on the grip properly or learning to get the club on plane at the top of the back swing. Generally those who slice have the club too upright at the top and return it too steeply with the clubface open creating a weak shot that falls off to the right so that needs to be fixed.

There are immense emotional rewards in the competition and comradery of golf but best of all golf is fun and when you shoot lower scores it’s a heck of a lot more fun.

Learn the lesson of driving Miss Daisy.

The time has never been better to banish your slice to just a memory.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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La Flor Dominicana Reserve Especial by mike crabtree and laramie navrath

Chrome Soft makes inroad by greg horton

The Titleist Pro V1 has been the top selling golf ball in recent years, but Callaway’s Chrome Soft line is getting good reviews from customers in Oklahoma.

In February, Callaway released the Chrome Soft X, including a Truvis version, and sales of the new balls have been brisk.

The Chrome Soft has been the fastest growing tour golf ball since its release in 2015, especially after the 2016 updated version.

Clocking in at about $40 a dozen, both Callaway and TaylorMade balls are priced competitively. We talked to members of the Oklahoma City University golf team, including several who use both the Callaway and the TaylorMade lines. While not specifying a preference, the consensus was that both balls provide good control with irons and wedges, great feel, and low spin with drivers. The durable covers were mentioned, too – a definite consideration when on a budget.

FootJoy established itself in the athletic market decades ago with one of the most durable, comfortable line of shoes for, of all things, racquetball. When the company turned its attention to golf shoes in 1989, it brought the same focus on comfort, durability, stability and price, and eventually, style.

Blake Berry, a Tahlequah native and OCU golfer, said he uses FootJoy because they combine two things he doesn’t usually find together.

“Usually golf shoes provide stability or comfort,” Berry said, “but the FootJoy D.N.A. provides both in the same shoe.”

The D.N.A. shoes range in price from $150 for the 2.0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods to the MyJoys for $230 at Golf Galaxy. The MyJoys are customizable as well.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

New golf ball, new golf tees. Check!

New golf shoes, glove and visor? Check, check, and check! The grass has been cut, the greens have been aerated; it is time to begin the golf season with a new cigar. In 1996 Litto Gomez founded La Flor Dominican in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Litto wanted something new; strength and body in his cigars utilizing more ligero tobacco.

This idea was vastly different to traditional Dominican cigars available at the time.

This past spring La Flor Dominicana introduced the Reserve Especial.

This Reserve Especial is constructed with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, Dominican fillers and binder which creates a nice light-medium smoke. This cigar is not a typical LFD smoke. No, no, no! This smoke is refreshing with a pleasant cold draw, with perfect balance of sweet and spicy. It has earthy notes of caramel, cedar and mild pepper.

After the cigar is lit, the smoke starts off

mild and creamy, earthy flavors follow that compliment being outdoors on the course.

The burn is nice and slow, with an even draw that is not overpowering.

The tastes and flavors noted on the cold draw remain consistent through the entire smoke. The Reserve Especial from La Flor Dominicana, while not being a powerhouse in strength, is smooth, creamy with touches of light spice.

The aromas and balance of the cigar remains constant throughout the smoke, making it enjoyable on the golf course or relaxing on the patio after the round.

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News around the state Sponsored by

Questions loom on timing of both PGA events at Southern Hills CC by ken macleod

The May 30 announcement that the PGA of America will bring both the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and the PGA Championship between 2025 and 2030 to Southern Hills Country Club is obviously terrific news for the club, the City of Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma.

It reflects years of work and lobbying by Southern Hills General Manager Nick Sidorakis with the support of the Southern Hills Board of Directors. This will be the fifth PGA Championship held at the historic club and the eighth major championship overall.

While the 2017 Senior PGA Championship on Memorial Day weekend concluded with Bernhard Langer prevailing, there is no guarantee that the 2021 event will be held in May. That is just one of the looming questions over both events that PGA officials were unable to answer with any clarity due to the proposed restructuring of the golf calendar currently being discussed by the PGA Tour, PGA of America and the R&A. Dave Stockton 1970 The proposal still under discussion calls for the Players Championship to return to March, the FedEx Cup playoffs to be shortened by one event and conclude in August and the PGA Championship to move to a May date. If that occurs, most expect the PGA of America would then swap the dates with the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship, meaning the PGA Championship would be at Southern Hills in May and the Senior PGA Championship in August or perhaps July.

As for when specifically the PGA Cham20

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pionship will be held, it was a bit murky as to why a specific date was not announced Tuesday. Kerry Haigh, the chief From left, PGA of America spokesman Julius Mason, PGA of America President championships Paul Levy, Southern Hills President Craig Bothwell, Deb O’Conner, director of officer of the global partnerships, KitchenAid, and Kerry Haigh, director of championships PGA of Amer- for the PGA of America. ica, said it was to give Southern Hills ample time between tality, etc. But we’ve done it on short notice events. Southern Hills officials were hopeful before.”

Major championships have grown in the and somewhat confident that the date aninterim in terms of space needed for corporate nounced will be closer to 2025 than 2030.

Sidorakis, 58 and a 22-year veteran of the hospitality and communications and hosting club, said he would obviously prefer the date the PGA Championship will be a much bigbe sooner than later and pointed out that ger financial and space commitment than it was even in 2007, when Tiger Woods prevailed at Southern Hills.

The announcement also reflects the end for the time being of the club’s long pursuit of a fourth U.S. Open Championship.

After the 2007 PGA Championship, the Ray Floyd 1982 Nick Price 1994 Tiger Woods 2007 club had numerthough the members sacrifice in giving up the ous talks with the USGA and believed that a course for a period every time a major event successful hosting of the 2009 U.S. Amateur is held, that Southern Hills did host the 1994 Championship would lead sooner rather PGA Championship and 1995 and 1996 Tour than later to a U.S. Open commitment. As Championships in successive years. There the USGA continued to add new sites such were six years between the 2001 U.S. Open as Chambers Bay, Erin Hills and Los Angeles and the 2007 PGA Championship, and then Country Club to its rotation of tried and true two years from that event to the 2009 U.S. classics, it became apparent that the wait was going to be interminable and Sidorakis asked Amateur Championship.

“I don’t know what the ideal interval is,” his board to begin pursuit of a fifth PGA Sidorakis said. “You’ve got to give the city Championship in earnest.

“I’m very pleased,” Sidorakis said. “It’s a time to sell tickets, us to sell corporate hospiGOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

reflection of years of networking with the championship. Those include several new tee PGA. There were talks with the USGA, but boxes, a bunker renovation and a greens renthe PGA came to us with an interest and the ovation, among other facility improvements.

Founded in 1936, Southern Hills has hosted rest is history.”

As for if the PGA of America will agree to seven previous major championships, beginmove its championship to May, Haigh said it ning with the 1958 U.S. Open won by Tommy Bolt through Tiger Woods’ PGA Chamis under scrutiny.

“There’s a lot of issues involved,” he said. “Certainly we’re in the process of analyzing all the pros and cons. We’re certainly very happy where we are in AuMajor Championship Winners gust. Certainly we know the Olympics 1958 U.S. Open, Tommy Bolt will be having golf in August every four 1970 PGA Championship, Dave Stockton years. Historically we’ve played the PGA 1977 U.S. Open, Hubert Green Championship in seven different months, 1982 PGA Championship, Ray Floyd so even though it has been in August the 1994 PGA Championship, Nick Price last 20 or 30 years, it wouldn’t be a historic 2001 U.S. Open, Retief Goosen change. We’re analyzing everything and 2007 PGA Championship, Tiger Woods no decision has been made.”

Haigh said he had looked carefully at the course in recent days and saw no reason why it couldn’t host a PGA Championship in pionship triumph in 2007, when he captured the Wanamaker Trophy for a fourth time. late May. “Few American golf venues match the Southern Hills had architect Gil Hanse perform a master plan several years back and the legacy and record of excellence of Southern club is currently considering internally a se- Hills Country Club,” said PGA of America ries ofOnward_Financing_MagAd_HalfPage.pdf renovations and improvements that, if President 1 1/27/17 12:43 PM Paul Levy. “Some of our sport’s approved, would be done long before either greatest names have walked these fairways

Southern Hills

and etched their name in major championship history. The PGA of America is proud to once again connect with Southern Hills, its membership and the great sports fans of Oklahoma. We are confident Southern Hills will continue to attract respective world-class fields for both the PGA Championship and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.”

“We’re thrilled to again partner with the PGA of America and host a pair of championships of this caliber,” said Southern Hills President Craig Bothwell. “Major championship golf is a part of Southern Hills’ heritage, but we could not make this happen without the unending support of our dedicated membership, the sporting passion of the greater Tulsa community and the welcoming spirit of our proven volunteer network.”

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, which will celebrate its 82nd edition in 2021 at Southern Hills, was born in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club, three years after the first Masters Tournament. The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is the most prestigious event in the game for PGA Members age 50-and-older.

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Pistol Pete and a posse of volunteers and cancer survivors at the OSU Coaches V. Cancer Charity Golf Classic.

Cowboy nation unites to fight cancer by ken macleod

Travis McIntyre woke up one day last August to find his 11-year-old boy Hadly complaining of shortness of breath and being tired.

Before he knew it, Hadly was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, began undergoing heavy does of chemotherapy and, for a young tough guy used to roping calves in his hometown of Yale, found himself now fighting just to stay alive.

Stories like Hadly’s are all too common, which is why the Oklahoma State Coaches vs. Cancer Charity Golf Classic, held May 22 at Stillwater Country Club, is such a needed and spectacular event.

Organized by Cowboys radio voice Dave Hunziker, the tournament, now in its third year, has rapidly become a major fundraiser in the fight against cancer, raising $66,000 the first year and $78,000 the second year. Hunziker expected to top that total when all donations are counted this year.

Hadly, now after his four-months of intensive chemotherapy and expected to make a full recovery, was having a grand time at the event, chatting with other sur22

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vivors and mixing with his favorite OSU on the World Long Drive Tour, put on a coaches and the long list of celebrities bashing exhibition, using his 148-mph swing speed producing a ball speed of 221 who came out to support the cause.

Among them were PGA Tour star Mor- mph, which has resulted in a top drive in competition of 447 gan Hoffmann, yards. who flew his sixLuke Jackson, anseat Piper Lance up other young cancer from Dallas after survivor, came up competing in the with the artwork AT&T Byron Nelused as the official son. Aviation runs logo for the tournain Hoffmann’s ment and put by Tiblood, his mother tleist on every golf was a flight attenball given away to dant for Delta, his all the competitors. father flew recreChris Tidland, ationally and two former Cowboy of his uncles are Air All-American now Force pilots. on the Web.com Hoffmann, not Tour, helped Hunsurprisingly, was ziker with some the first selection of the background in the celebrity aucwork.

Tidland’s tion which preceedson, Jackson, is best ed play. friends with Nick Jason Eslinger, a Naple, who lost 2001 OSU graduhis father, former ate who has been Cancer survivor Hadly McIntyre of Yale OSU football video competing success- was recently cleared to begin roping coordinator Vince fully for six years calves again, his favorite sport.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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Morgan Hoffmann is selected first in the celebrity auction. Duh! Naple, to pancreatic cancer in 2015.

“We all know someone who’s been affected by cancer,” Tidland said. “I think this is a great event and Dave’s done a wonderful job. “

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Mizuno fondly pays tribute to Mike Avis, a pro’s pro, for his lifetime of dedication to the game and for his exemplary work promoting Mizuno products.

Mike Avis

March 29, 1951 - April 13, 2017 GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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Tim Johnson to Golf Club of Oklahoma Tim Johnson has been named general manager at the Golf Club of Oklahoma.

Johnson held the same position the past two years at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., and previously Shangri-La hotel.

Tim Johnson was the head professional and general manager at The Territory in Duncan from the time it opened Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, in 2003 until accepting the position at Pin- Shangri-La Golf Club is now officially Shangri-La Resort. The resort features 27 holes of nacle in fall of 2015. championship golf, a new resort pool, indoor pool & spa, a fitness center, 8,000-square feet Grace Shin recovering University of Central Oklahoma golfer Grace Shin continues to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments after being diagnosed this spring with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. She will undergo six months of chemotherapy treatments, according to UCO women’s golf coach Michael Bond, but is hoping to make a full recovery.

Shangri-La Hotel completes resort destination With the June 1 opening of a new 120- UCO golfer Grace Shin gets support from room resort hotel overlooking northeastern teammates and milk shakes.

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of conference space, and three separate venues that provide a variety of dining and drinking options.

Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina offers al fresco dining with fun foods ranging from burgers and sandwiches to multiple types of taqueria-style tacos. Doc’s Bar & Grill, located inside the hotel, offers a wide range of menu items encompassing all three meals and is open seven days a week including late dinner service. Both restaurants are open to the public and are accessible by both land and water. Both located in the clubhouse, the Buffalo Bar and the fine dining options at The Summit Restaurant are available to Shangri-La members and their guests, golfing or not.

In 2010, Eddy Gibbs purchased the prop-

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

erty that was once home to an extremely popular resort destination that had, sadly, fallen into a state of total disrepair.

“Since that day in March, 2010, there hasn’t been a single day we have not had something under construction,” says Vice-President of Operations Jon Davidson, “and we don’t see any end to that trend in the foreseeable future.”

First, the golf course was completely re-designed and rebuilt into a tree-lined 27-hole championship course with five tee boxes on every hole and white sand bunkers. The course and clubhouse are surrounded on three sides by the waters of the 45,000-acre Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees. The new 14,000-square foot clubhouse was officially opened in July 2011 and the final nine holes of the golf course were opened for play in early 2012.

The resort also offers residential properties. The first development, the 15-home “Gallery at Shangri-La,” is complete. The second, a 38home development dubbed “The Ridge at Shangri-La” now has infrastructure in place and new homes under construction.

To reserve a room or for more information, go to www.shangrilaok. com.

Watkins is on top of his game at Topgolf The 2017 edition of the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, held in mid-May at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., brought back pleasant memories for Justin Watkins, director of instruction at Topgolf in Oklahoma City.

Watkins won the event in 2012 while a student in the Professional Golf Management program at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

He said it helped spur his career.

“I was doing an internship in Alaska at the time and it really helped get the ball rolling,” Watkins said. “The PGA of America reached out to me and ofJustin Watkins lends a hand. fered a position helping run the PGA Junior Series. “ Wadkins grew up in Edmond and worked at both Coffee Creek and Oak Tree National. His mother E.J. Johnson has run junior tournaments at Lake Hefner Golf Course in Oklahoma City for many years and introduced Watkins to the sport at age three.

Watkins got accustomed early to being a black man in a mostly white man’s game and it never bothered him.

“There’s always some issues, even now,” he said. “Sometimes when I ask people about golf lessons, I’ll catch them off guard. But I just brush it off and keep moving. I don’t think it ever hindered me.”

After high school, Watkins played Division II golf for Lincoln University of Missouri for two years before transferring to UCO. “I played college golf for two and a half years and was falling out of love with the game,” he said. “I spent one semester trying to figure out what I wanted to do.”

The game won out. Watkins enrolled at UCO and began learning all the nuances of being a professional. Now at Topgolf, he’s seeing a different side of the game from that of a traditional course job, as many of his clients are first introduced to the game on a night out with friends.

“A lot of them have never played golf before but they wanted to get better just to be better at Topgolf when they come here with their friends,” Watkins said. “You start off with five lessons or so and pretty soon they are interested in going to the golf course.”

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SHOTS New faces at South Lakes GC by brett tyndall

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rent Wilcoxen has been promoted to head professional at South Lakes and his former protege, Colton Staggs, was hired for the open assistant’s position.

Wilcoxen, who was a longtime South Lakes assistant and former Jenks High School coach, succeeds Jason Hines.

Pat McCrate, director of golf at South Lakes and LaFortune Park, believes the two have a great relationship, saying a team environment is important when running a golf course. McCrate credits Wilcoxen, calling him an “instrumental part of Jenks and its golf program because he’s been around the game for so long.”

Wilcoxen coached Jenks to six of its eight total state golf championships and has been at South Lakes for 23 years in various capacities. He coached Staggs at Jenks. Wilcoxen has had his new position since early May, and noted that the promotion brings new responsibilities.

“Right now, probably the bigger ones are

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paying bills, hiring and interviewing new assistant golf professionals, scheduling tournaments, and ‘End of the Month’ procedures,” Wilcoxen said. “Since I have been here so long, I have always been responsible for most of the day-to-day operations which in turn has greatly helped me get ready for this day.”

McCrate and Staggs share the sentiment that Wilcoxen is the most deserving for the job. Staggs describes him as a mentor and the best coach he’s had. McCrate said Wilcoxen will be great for South Lakes because of his in-depth knowledge of the course and its regular customers.

Staggs, a junior wunderkind who won the OGA State Amateur Championship in 2009 at age 16, when he knocked off Robert Streb in the finals at The Territory, went on to play four years at the University of Tulsa before embarking on a brief but telling venture on the professional mini-tour circuit.

While his dream of playing professionally didn’t last, Staggs learned many lessons that Brent Wilcoxen and Colton Staggs. he’ll be able to incorporate in his new job.

“It was a tough road, especially between those drives after you finish bogey-bogey to miss the cut,” Staggs said. “Looking back, there are a lot of things I wish I had done differently when I was in high school and college, which I believe could have led to me being out there longer. I think, more than anything, I can personally tell kids who dream of winning the Masters how much work they must put in. There are a lot of distractions that can throw the best of players off their games and I think I’ll be able to articulate how one should go about practicing.

“That extra hour on the putting green or that party you skipped out on because you needed to practice early in the morning… that’s what it takes. … My pro golf career may be over, but now I can spark the minds of those I instruct. I’ll be learning from a guy I trust, Brent Wilcoxen, on how to become successful at this newfound dream of mine, getting people to love this beautiful game of ours.”

McCrate said the duo, along with assistant pros Andrew Cantrell and Austin Osburn, will provide South Lakes patrons with a wealth of golf knowledge.

Wilcoxen will be just the third head professional at South Lakes. Paul Ridings, father of PGA Tour player Tag Ridings, manned the shop from the day the course opened in 1988 to 2011.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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Unruh's passion for golf knew no bounds by ken macleod

Tulsa attorney Jim Unruh will be remembered for many reasons, not the least of which was his life long passion for the game of golf as a player, coach, rules official and general benefactor of the game.

Unruh passed away in Aventura, Florida on May 29 at the age of 87 after a threeyear battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

The Tulsa native was consumed by golf at an early age. Unruh played for the University of Tulsa in 1948 and 1949, winning 33 matches in his career including victories over Don January and NCAA champion Jack Vickers of Oklahoma. He coached the University of Tulsa from 1973-75. Two players who received at least one year of his tutelage were Ron Streck and Hank Haney, who both went on to world-wide fame, Streck as a player and Haney as a prominent teacher.

Streck remembers his old coach as a tough competitor who met him in the finals of the Tulsa Golf Association Four-Ball Championship several times. Unruh and Fred Lawson won the Four-Ball Championship in 1965 and 1969 and Unruh won the TGA Stroke Play Championship in 1966, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1982. He also won the Oklahoma Golf Association Senior Amateur in 1984 and 1985 and was a fourtime runner-up.

He and long-time friend and golf partner Eric Mueller also teamed up to win the TGA Four-Ball in 1973 and won the first Oklahoma Golf Association Four-Ball Championship in the 1980s, Mueller said.

“Jim was one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever known,” Mueller said. “He had some talent, but he was like a bulldog.

There wasn’t anybody he didn’t think he couldn’t or shouldn’t beat. He was never afraid of anybody and never gave up. And he was the same way in his law practice.”

Unruh was far more than a gutsy competitor. He devoted more than 25 years to the USGA as a rules official and in other capacities. He served on the Mid-Amateur Championship Committee from 198189, the Sectional Affairs Committee from 1990-2004 and the Regional Affairs Committee from 2004-2009. He received the GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

ship and leadership. Although many may not realize it, it is probably because of Jim that TCC has been a host site for so many OGA, USGA and other golf events.”

Mark Passey, the USGA’s director of regional affairs for the central portion of the U.S., also was a big fan of Unruh.

“Jim Unruh was an influential leader prestigious Ike Grainger Award in 2009 at in the golf community serving the Tulsa the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Unruh mentored fellow rules enthusiast area, the state of Oklahoma and nationand attorney Gene Mortensen, a close per- ally through his committee service with the United States Golf Association,” Passey sonal friend as well.

“Jim got me involved many years ago and said. “Jim was an outstanding player, an I immediately became aware of his promi- excellent coach, a knowledgeable Rules Ofnence on the national level,” Mortensen ficial, and a tireless advocate for helping to said. “I believe the high level of interest grow the game for over four decades. He the USGA maintained in Oklahoma came will be remembered for his fierce comas a direct result of Jim’s involvement. The petitive spirit and for his high standards of Tournament Director of the USGA person- integrity and excellence. Jim was a good friend and he will be ally called Jim to come asmissed.” sist with the Curtis Cup Unruh’s son Jay, who Matches, an international recently retired in Kansas event.

While he was City from a 38-year career known as a strict enforcer in international banking, of the Rules of Golf, he said he caddied for his was highly respected for father from age seven for doing so. more than 20 years. The “The other side of the two would go to the park coin is that if you needed and his dad would hit golf help with a local event balls which Jay caught you called Jim and he with his baseball glove, would be there from sun Jim Unruh with son James. which was his favorite up to sun down.” sport.

Fellow USGA volunteer “He was a long, straight hitter who loved Randy Olmstead, who replaced Unruh on the Mid-Amateur Committee in 1989, said the persimmon woods and really fought the some of his best times in golf were spent advent of the metal woods in the game,” on the road discussing the game and life’s Jay said. “He loved golf and lived golf. He told me numerous times that if he had life affairs with Unruh.

“Jim was one of the best players I ever to do over again, he would have turned knew,” Olmstead said. “I enjoyed his com- professional, but he just didn’t think at that pany very much. He gave significant time time that he could make a living doing it.

“He was the kind of guy who never stuck to the game and he made many friends traveling across the U.S. working various his nose in anyone’s business, but if you asked for help, he provided it,” Jay said.

USGA and NCAA events.”

Mueller concurred with that assessment.

Among the many events he worked “He was my attorney for 25 years, but for the USGA, Unruh and Olmstead were rules observers for the playoff in the 2001 mostly he was my friend,” Mueller said.

U.S. Open at Southern Hills won by Retief “He did a lot of things for me just out of the goodness of his heart without being asked.

Goosen.

Tulsa banker Lew Erickson is another That’s the way he was.”

Unruh devoted himself to public service prominent USGA volunteer and like Unruh a member of Tulsa Country Club. She said in other aspects of his life besides his work Unruh’s efforts were key in some of the 20 with the USGA. For 45 years he was the USGA events that have been held in Okla- attorney for the Tulsa Metropolitan Utilhoma, not to mention many USGA quali- ity Authority that oversees the city’s water supply. When he stepped down from that fiers that have been conducted at TCC. “Jim not only volunteered for the good position, the city renamed the water resof the game, but he also was a good player,” ervoir at the A.B. Jewell Water Treatment Erickson said. “I am grateful for his friend- Plant the R. James Unruh Reservoir.

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H IGH SCHOOL R EV I EW

McAllister, Eckroat, Milligan among stars of high school finales by scott wright

OKLAHOMA CITY — Christian Heritage Academy junior Logan McAllister was through only seven of the 54 holes in the Class 3A state tournament at Lincoln Park’s West course, and he was already 4-under par.

Coming off back-to-back birdies, McAllister was beginning to feel like nothing could go wrong on the morning of May 8.

Then he hooked his tee shot hard left into the street that runs along the eighth fairway and out of bounds.

With the pressure of potentially watching a fantastic state tournament start to unravel, McAllister put his next tee shot in play, knocked his approach to 2 feet and made the putt for bogey after his penalty stroke.

“Those were the two most important shots I hit all day,” McAllister said. “Obviously I was a little frustrated, hitting it O.B. coming off two birdies. But I calmed myself down and that was huge to keep my round going.”

And how’s this for a rebound?

McAllister, who is verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma, parred the ninth hole, and really took off after the turn.

He shot 29 on the back nine for an openinground 62, igniting his runaway victory as a repeat winner of the Class 3A individual title.

“For me, I have to play like I’m coming from behind,” he said. “If I get tentative, that’s when I start struggling. So I had to stay aggressive.”

While the 62 was McAllister’s best score in a high school tournament, it’s not his lowest score in a competitive round. He shot 59 in the Junior Club Championship at Belmar Golf Club in Norman last year.

Here’s a look at how the OSSAA state championships turned out: Class 6A Boys Location: Golf Club of Edmond Individual champion: Austin Eckroat, Ed28

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mond North The state’s highest-rated junior player, currently No. 14 in the Golfweek national rankings, Eckroat took control of the tournament with an opening-round 66 and never looked back. He shot a 54-hole total of 6-under-par 204 to win by two, playing on the course where he first learned the game.

The tournament had to be moved from Karsten Creek in Stillwater to the Golf Club of Edmond because of heavy rains that had flooded areas of the course at Karsten the week before the event. Sand Springs’ Carson Griggs was second.

Team champion: Edmond North Led by Eckroat, Augusta State signee Laken Hinton and junior Brock Polhill, the Huskies of coach Jeff Doherty went wire-towire for their 12th Class 6A state championship in 13 years. They posted the lowest score in each of the three rounds to win by 13 over Owasso.

Girls Location: Ponca City Country Club Individual champion: Kaitlin Milligan, Norman North A future Oklahoma Sooner, Milligan had finKaitlin Milligan ished in the top 10 at state each of her previous three years, but the title had eluded her until her senior season at Ponca City Country Club.

The long-hitting Milligan never used her driver — in fact, she didn’t even put it in the bag — on her way to rounds of 73-74 and a nine-stroke victory over Ponca City’s Sydney Hermann.

Team champion: Owasso After finally breaking Union’s stranglehold on the crown last season, Owasso repeated as champs with rounds of 339-344 for a 683 total and a 21-shot edge over Edmond North. Faith Belmear, who was third individually with a 160 total, was the Rams’ top finisher.

Class 5A Boys Location: Duncan Golf and Tennis Club Individual champion: Dustin Hasley, Piedmont A year after losing the title in a playoff, Hasley finished the job in his Dustin Hasley senior season. The Oral Roberts signee shot a final-round 69, the tournament’s only sub-par round, for a 215 total and a five-shot victory over Guthrie freshman Luke Morgan.

Team champion: Bishop Kelley

Powered by a secondround 299, the Comets turned in a 54-hole total of 916 to defeat Bishop McGuinness by 29 shots.

Matt Edgeller’s 223 total, which placed him in a tie for fourth individually, led Kelley’s efforts.

Girls Location: Quail Creek Austin Eckroat Country Club, Oklahoma City Individual champion: Mika Ramos, Bishop Kelley Only a freshman, but a proven talent on the junior circuit, Ramos fought cold and wind, as well as a stout field, to win her first state title. Ramos shot 74-75 for a 149 total.

Team champion: Duncan It came down to a team playoff, which the Demons won by two strokes over Collinsville on the first extra hole for their eighth state title since 2007.

Class 4A Boys Location: Lake Hefner North Course, Oklahoma City Individual champion: Dalton Daniel, Newcastle Daniel was sharp from beginning to end, shootDalton Daniel ing 68-65-67 for a 200 total and an 11-shot victory to put a stamp on his senior season.

Team champion: Heritage Hall The Chargers took a 14-shot lead after the first round and weren’t going to be challenged, ultimately shooting a 54-hole total of 867 to defeat Ada by 45 shots. William McDonald’s runner-up performance of 211 led the way.

Girls Location: Lake Hefner South Course, Oklahoma City Individual champion: Katie Finley, Plainview Following an opening-round 80, Finley charged to the title with a 71 on the final day — the only round in the tournament lower GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

2017 Golf Pass is BIGGER AND BETTER! Visit scspgagolfpass.com to order yours today! than 76 — for a five-stroke victory over Fort Gibson’s Shelby Phillips.

Team champion: Plainview Led by Finley on the final day, Plainview carded a 311 to turn a six-shot edge into a 23-shot runaway victory with a 634 team total. Plainview’s top four players all landed in the top 10.

Class 3A Boys Location: Lincoln Park West Course, Oklahoma City Individual champion: Logan McAllister No one else in the field could match McAllister’s Logan McAllister final-day 66, much less the 62 he shot to open the tournament on his way to a 13-stroke victory.

Team champion: Oklahoma Christian School Led by freshman Jaxon Dowell, who finished second individually, OCS topped Plainview by 18 shots for the crown, the school’s eighth. Said Powers (fourth) and Carson Tewell (sixth) joined Dowell in the top 10. The win also completed the playercoach double for OCS coach Tosh Hays,

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

Consistent play from start to finish who was a player on the Saints team that marked Baber’s run to the title. He fired won the title in 1994. rounds of 72-71-71 for a 2-under 214 and a five-shot win.

Girls Team champion: Laverne Location: Cherokee After opening with a 347 and sitting in Springs, Tahlequah Individual champion: fourth place after 18 holes, Laverne fought Taylor Towers, Rejoice to the front, ultimately posting a three-round total of 1,000. It was good for a 10-stroke Christian Though she only began victory over Regent Prep. playing golf two years Taylor Towers Girls ago, Towers turned in a Location: Aqua Canpair of 75s for a five-shot victory over twoyon, Guthrie time defending champion ShaeBug ScarberIndividual champion: ry of Purcell. Scarberry missed almost the Megan Brown, Cordell entire season with a broken hand suffered Brown’s opening 76 put when she was hit by an errant shot while her in control and her fistanding on the driving range at her home course in Purcell.

Megan Brown nal-round 77 slammed the door on a 10-shot victory Team champion: Marlow Yet another team championship decided as only two other players carded a round beby playoff, Marlow topped three-time de- low 80 in the tournament.

Team champion: Mooreland fending champ Purcell on the first hole after Mooreland didn’t put a player in the top the teams tied for the top spot at 716.

10 individually, but got consistent play through the lineup in the final round to post Class 2A Boys a 379. After starting the day five shots beLocation: Cimarron Trails, Perkins Individual champion: Kolton Baber, Big hind Tishomingo, Mooreland was able to make the pass for a five-stroke victory.

Pasture

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COL L EGE R EV I EW

Marty McCauley, Anna Mikish, Savannah Moody, Melissa Eldredge, Caroline Goodin, Sara McCauley (Assistant Coach), Kailey Campbell, Raegan Barnes, Ken Goodin (Assistant Coach).

Full circle: Mostly homegrown OCU team starts, finishes as national champs by ken macleod

F

our years back, Oklahoma City University women’s golf coach Marty McCauley broke with a successful formula that had produced national NAIA championships in six of the previous eight seasons.

The formula was tried and sound. Recruit the best available players whether from next door or half a world away. The new formula, reflected in the recruiting class that enrolled for the 2013-14 season, was to reward the efforts that Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour founder Morri Rose and others had made to lift the quality of girls’ junior golf in Oklahoma and reward the homegrown talent with first crack at the scholarship opportunities available.

With a deep class in the state that spring, McCauley brought to campus a group of girls that mostly knew each other and had been battling in junior golf for years. Caroline Goodin of Oklahoma City, Anna Mikish and Raegan Barnes of Choctaw, Kailey Campbell of Oktaha, and Katie Lee Wilson of Owasso immediately teamed with holdover Elia Folch of Spain to win the 2013 NAIA National Championship.

Instant validation for McCauley, but with a caveat. Folch was the unquestioned team leader and winning the title would have been 30

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impossible without her. Could they do it when it became an all Oklahoma lineup the following year, with the addition of another Oklahoma gem in Emma Allen from Union High School?

Up to this year’s national championship, the senior class has won four Sooner Athletic Conference Championships, 13 team titles, never been ranked worse than fifth in the nation and had put together a team GPA of 3.576. All five seniors have been named AllAmericans, including four times for Mikish and Cambell, three times for Goodin, twice for Wilson and this year for Barnes. However, the Stars had fallen just short at the national championship the past two years.

As things evolved, it wasn’t just the five seniors who started at The Squire Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens May 23-26. Barnes and Wilson along with Allen watched as Mikish, Goodin and Campbell represented the senior class. Freshman Melissa Eldredge of Eufuala and Savannah Moody, a junior from Aledo, Texas, comprised the starting five.

Led by the long-hitting Mikish, OCU took control early and overcame a few off rounds and some poor weather to win the school’s eighth national title, this one by eight shots over Embry Riddle, Ala. “It’s truly been an unforgettable four years

with everyone,” Goodin said. “This national championship didn’t come easy. There were a lot of highs and lows all season.

“We wouldn’t have gotten to this national championship win without trusting each other. When I had a rough second round, I knew my team had my back. And when others had rough holes, I knew that I was covering for them. I can’t imagine sealing my senior year with a victory with anyone else.”

McCauley wouldn’t change anything about the past four years and intends to continue to recruit from his home state first, adding others when the particular class is not strong enough to warrant scholarship offers. That was the case in 2017, so McCauley brought in players from Phoenix, Seattle and Texas.

“I think the true impact of this will be seen 10 years from now,” McCauley said. “I think people have realized the opportunities we’re providing and hope it will continue to be an incentive for junior golfers throughout the state” Coaching this group has been one of the great joys in his life for McCauley and for his wife, Sara, who serves as his assistant.

The close-knit team lives together, practices together, eats and studies together and, of course, travels and competes together. With nine young ladies ranging from ages 18 to 22, that can offer its challenges.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

appreciate everything he does. I “The legacy they’ll leave is as thought it was really cool he recruitrole models for any other kids I’ve ed all of us from Oklahoma. The exrecruited,” McCauley said. “It’s perience has been amazing and some been an unbelievable joy to travel of my best memories will be of the around with them. Whatever we time we’ve spent together. Somehave or haven’t accomplished in times when we’re on a van ride to golf, I wouldn’t trade it for anyHouston I may be ready to scream, thing. Every time we go on a trip I and I know we drive him crazy a lot learn something new. Some of those of times, but he never yells, never things you’d probably be better off gets mad. He’s really come to undernot knowing existed. stand how we women work.”

“But really, I just try to help them Goodin agreed, saying the team any way I can and keep them talkdynamic for OCU has been differing. I lot of times if they bottle stuff ent than she’s observed with other up, it carries over to their golf.” teams.

One of those times was in the “We’ve grown up together and spring of 2016, when the team startpushed each other in ways we didn’t ed fraying a bit at the edges. Goodknow were possible, both academiin, the only athlete in OCU history The senior class: Raegan Barnes, Kailey Campbell, Carocally and athletically,” she said. “It’s to twice be awarded the Jim Wade line Goodin, Anna Mikish, holding Katie-Lee Wilson. hard to be together 24-7 and not Award recognizing the top student have any issues, but this team has “We were all struggling and our attitudes athlete in the university, said McCauley was instrumental in pulling the team were bad,” said Mikish, the one of the five had great camaraderie.”

“Lucky and grateful are two things I have seniors that intends to give professional golf back together.

“We were all frustrated and he took us a try. “He brought us all together and got us been every single day that these ladies have aside and we all sat down and talked about to work our issues out and it’s been a 180-de- been part of the program,” McCauley said. “I the problems we were having,” Goodin said. gree change from there. We really started tried to teach them all I could about golf and life, but collectively they taught me so much “Since that point, everybody has worked playing more for each other at that point.”

“Marty is one of my favorite people I know more. They have made me a better coach and harder for each other and played more as a to be honest. He does so much for us and I a better person. “ team.”

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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Sooners ! e m i national rt y t

COL L EGE R EV I EW

Pa

Coach Ryan Hybl is doused by his players after the storybook run to the national title. by ken macleod photos by tim cowie

D

espite some moments of brilliant individual success, Oklahoma golf coach Ryan Hybl was despairing prior to the 2017 NCAA Championship that his Sooner squad was going to put it all together in time to make an impact.

Brad Dalke carried the team to a fourthplace finish in the Stanford Regional with his individual victory, or the Sooners would likely not even have made the field. Yet Dalke had struggled in collegiate play most of the year. Senior Max McGreevy (twice) and junior Grant Hirschman had both won individual events but were still prone to bouts of inconsistency.

Oklahoma finished fifth in the Big 12 Championship at Prairie Dunes, 17 shots behind winner Texas, then collectively struggled at the regional except for Dalke’s 12-under performance. Yet Hybl had a feeling prior to the trip to Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., that things were about to change.

“I told my wife that I was really hoping this team would have an opportunity (at the NCAA) because I felt they could do something really, really special. We hadn’t put it together but I thought the pieces were there.

I was just hoping we could get into match play, because I thought we had the firepower to beat anyone.”

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ter answering many of the more than 400 messages on his phone. “Their belief system was strong. They were never intimidated by the moment. I saw confidence and a collective calm.

Winning this tournament is a grind, with 72 holes of stroke play and three rounds of match play. Our guys never got tired.”

McGreevy, who was an emotional firebrand when Hybl signed him out of Edmond Santa Fe four years ago, culminated four years of maturation, both personally and in his overall game, with his 3 and 2 victory over Edwin Yi of Oregon.

“Max has had more growth personally and professionally than any player I’ve recruited,” Hybl said.

“When he came in here as a freshman he had the opportunity to move into the lineup and play every week, and that itself was probably the biggest reason why he is where he’s at now. He got significantly better and by his junior year, lo and behold he was a third team All-American.

He’s a gutsy player and a great putter. He can get on some really great runs. We owe him a lot for his time here, he really got the program moving in the right direction.”

Hybl said both Dalke and Reinerston were actually battling their swings most of the week, but thrived on smart course management. Dalke backed off his balky driver and laced 300-yard 3-wood shots into play.

Yes they did. The Sooners took out Baylor coached by former OSU coach Mike McGraw, 3-2 in the first round as Dalke won the final match in 19 holes. Hale, McGreevy and junior Rylee Reinerston won convincingly as they advanced past Illinois 3-1-1 in the semifinals. All that stood in the way then was defending champion Oregon, coached

by Casey Martin.

Again, Hale and McGreevy set a blistering early tone by winning the first two matches with ease. And again, Dalke was nails in the final match. His 2 and 1 victory over Solomon Raza sealed the Sooners first national championship since 1989 and second in school history.

It may not take that long for the third.

OU loses only McGreevy and has a competitive group battling for that fifth spot.

“I was impressed with everything the guys did this week,” Hybl told Golf Oklahoma af- Max McGreevy pours in another clutch putt.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

celebrate second title in school history Reinerston overcame some inconsistent ball a victory in the Austin Regional and adstriking with moments of brilliance on and vanced to match play by finishing a strong fourth in the 72-hole around the greens. stroke play portion, four “Brad, after he got shots behind the Soonthrough playing in the ers who were second Masters, really opened to Vanderbilt. That set up and relaxed,” Hybl the Cowboys up for a said. “He had been batfirst-round pairing with tling so much internal Oregon. Despite Victor pressure. If he doesn’t Hovland’s 2 and 1 victogo out and play like a ry over former Cowboy stud at Stanford, we Wyndham Clark, OSU wouldn’t be here. It was fell in three close matchalmost like his repayes to end the chances of ment to the guys bean all-Oklahoma chamcause they had carried pionship match. him in a lot of events.

“We won matches It was fun for him to against their two best know that he was the players and it looked man and he really carlike we were going to ried us here.”

Sooner coach Ryan Hybl gets a hug come back and take conOklahoma State, the from daughter Ady. trol,” said OSU coach more heavily publicized program in the state, entered the week off Alan Bratton. “But Oregon made some late

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

birdies and some nice putts and pulled it out.

“Just making it to match play is not what we were looking for. It was a disappointing end but still a good year. We’ll be looking forward to getting better and excited that the tournament will be in our back yard next year.”

Karsten Creek in Stillwater will host the 2018 men’s and women’s NCAA Championships.

Having the defending national champions coming over from inside the state could be a unique motivator for a program with 10 national championships of its own.

“Everyone is always trying to compare and can’t understand when we have success,” Hybl said. “We’re the University of Oklahoma and this is big for us. It will help us in every area and it validates a lot of work that those in and around the program have done.”

Arkansas freshman Mason Overstreet of Laverne via Kingfisher was in contention for the individual stroke play championship before settling for second place behind Braden Thornberry of Ole Miss.

Overstreet shot rounds of 70-68-72-71 to finish at 7-under, four shots back.

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33

COM PET I T ION

So close!

OKC duo edged in final match of USGA Four-Ball PINEHURST, N.C. – Former Oklahoma Christian golfer Kyle Hudelson and former Oklahoma City University golfer Clark Collier’s surprising and spirited run through the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship went all the way through the title match before ending in the championship match.

Hudelson and Collier – who made the tournament as alternates – were 2-up midway through the final but eventually fell 2 and 1 to a pair of 17-year-olds, Frankie Capan and Shuai Ming Wong, at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club’s famed No. 2 course. The runner-up finish was the best ever by a former OC golfer in a U.S. Golf Association event.

Hudelson played for the Eagles in 2008

Kyle Hudelson, left with teammate Clark Collier at the 7th hole during the final round of match play at the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Village of Pinehurst, N.C. on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane) and again in 2012. Hudelson, a 29-year-old from Oklahoma City who now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Collier, a 27-yearold who now lives in Dallas, didn’t plan on being in North Carolina for the USGA Four-Ball event.

But when an exempt team had to withdraw from the event due to a commitment in the NCAA Championship, the USGA

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invited Hudelson and Collier, who had earned first-alternate status after winning a playoff in a qualifier last fall in Glenn Ellyn, Ill. It was the first USGA event ever for Hudelson or Collier.

After two rounds of stroke play on Saturday and Sunday, Hudelson and Collier were at 4-under, tied for 15th among 128 teams, and make the 32-team cut for match play. In the round of 32, they beat Joshua Irving of Dallas and Will Osborne of Fort Worth, Texas, 2 and 1.

They played two matches the second day, beating Brendan Borst of Philadelphia and Thomas McDonagh of Norwalk, Conn., 1-up over 19 holes – winning on hole No. 18 to force the playoff – then knocking off Nathan Smith and Todd White 1-up in the quarterfinals. Smith is a four-time U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion and he and White were teammates on the victorious 2013 U.S. Walker Cup squad.

Smith, from Pittsburgh, Pa., and White, from Spartanburg, S.C., also won the inaugural U.S. Amateur Four-Ball title in 2015.

“Nathan Smith, it’s just an honor to play with him,” Hudelson said. “I mean how many (USGA) matches has he played?

(Before the week started), we said we had already won and had nothing to lose. I mean everything was against us. Beating a great team and us being a dark horse, it was great.”

On Wednesday morning, Hudelson and Collier sprung another upset, beating USGA amateur veterans Patrick Christovich of New Orleans and Garrett Rank – a three-time Canadian Mid-Amateur champion who just finished his first full season as a National Hockey League referee – 1-up over 19 holes. The Oklahoma GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

Son broadens horizons of the major summer amateur events such as the North and South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst and possibly a few on For anyone who was wondering why the state’s most dominant junior golfer was the American Junior Golf Association.

Her only scheduled Oklahoma event this missing when the state high school chamsummer is the OGA Boys & Girls Junior pionships were conducted in early May, Championship on June 5-8 at Kickingbird Yujeong Son has moved on to a different Golf Course in Edmond. challenge.

Son’s homeschooling resembles The 16-year-old Korean-born a vocational training. She is on the golf prodigy who was the Class 6A golf course by 10 a.m., hitting balls state champion as a freshman last until noon, then after lunch she year and has won the WOGA State works on her short game before Amateur Championship the past going out to play, usually nine to three years, will likely miss both 13 holes before leaving the course events in 2017 as she is now enYujeong Son. at 5 and heading to the gym for a gaged in a more national schedule workout. of championships as she prepares Academics begin around 6:30 p.m. and for the LPGA Tour, a career path that may continue until about 10:30, when Son is or may not include a college stint. ready for her head to hit the pillow.

Son had an impressive start with vic“My main goal is to make it on the LPGA tories in both the Dixie Amateur and the Tour,” Son says candidly. “We’ll see how Kathy Whitworth Invitational this winter. my game is my junior and senior years (in She will be looking to play this summer in terms of whether any further preparation the U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Women’s is required). But the goal is definitely the Open Championship and the U.S. Girls Junior Championship. She’ll take aim in some LPGA Tour.”

by ken macleod

㐀㄀㔀 匀 伀眀愀猀猀漀 吀甀氀猀愀Ⰰ 伀䬀 㜀㐀㄀㈀ 㤀㄀㠀⸀㠀㌀㈀⸀㔀㔀㐀㐀

刀攀挀攀渀琀 倀爀漀樀攀挀琀猀

duo rallied from a three-hole deficit over the final eight holes of regulation.

“We have no history,” Hudelson said after their semifinal win. “You could Google us and the only thing that would pop up is this championship. You’d have to search deep into Google.

“I was joking with Clark that we got a year’s worth of pressure golf shots packed into one week.”

Hudelson and Collier each had a birdie on the first two holes of the title match against Capan, from North Oaks, Minn., and Wong, from Hong Kong, to go 2-up, but Wong and Capan took the third hole.

The Oklahoma duo again went ahead 2-up after taking No. 5, but that proved to be the last hole they won.

By making the semifinals, Hudelson and Collier are exempt into next year’s U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship, to be played at Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Fla., providing their team remains intact.

“We’ve been trying our whole lives to be part of a USGA event,” Collier said. “I guess you could have written it up just a little bit better, but not much. That was so cool. And those kids, oh, my goodness.

Those guys are going to be pros. Those guys are really, really good.”

“This is the biggest stage I’ve ever played on,” Collier said. “It was humbling.

It’s great to get to feel that kind of pressure and hit the shots under it. I think we learned that we can do it. It was really fun to do that.”

Collier became Oklahoma City’s third four-time all-American. He produced a 73.34 stroke average in 123.5 rounds with four victories, including the 2012 Sooner Athletic Conference individual championship, with the Stars. He earned three all-SAC and all-NAIA Central Region nods, four SAC golfer of the week honors, all-tournament in the NAIA Championships and all-Nicklaus acclaim while helping the Stars win two national championships and three SAC titles from 2008-12. OCU has captured 10 NAIA men’s golf championships in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2016.

Collier currently works as a geologist for an oil and gas company in Dallas. Collier is a Casady School graduate from Edmond, Okla. A few weeks after playing in the four-ball qualifier, Collier suffered an injury after being hit by a car while riding his bike. Collier’s clavicle was broken in three places, requiring a plate and approximately eight pins in his shoulder.

䬀愀爀猀琀攀渀 䌀爀攀攀欀 䜀漀氀昀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 吀攀攀 刀攀渀漀瘀愀琀椀漀渀 ☀ 倀爀愀挀琀椀挀攀 䜀爀攀攀渀 䌀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀椀漀渀 䌀攀搀愀爀 刀椀搀最攀 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䘀甀氀氀 䌀漀甀爀猀攀 䈀甀渀欀攀爀 刀攀渀漀瘀愀琀椀漀渀猀 䜀漀氀昀 䌀氀甀戀 漀昀 伀欀氀愀栀漀洀愀 ⴀ 䌀漀甀爀猀攀 刀攀瀀愀椀爀猀 ☀ 刀攀渀漀瘀愀琀椀漀渀猀 䔀愀最氀攀 䌀爀攀攀欀 䜀漀氀昀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䐀爀椀瘀攀 刀愀渀最攀 䤀爀爀椀最愀琀椀漀渀 ☀ 吀攀攀 刀攀渀漀瘀愀琀椀漀渀猀 吀栀攀 圀漀漀搀猀 䜀漀氀昀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䘀椀瘀攀ⴀ䠀漀氀攀 一攀眀 䌀漀渀猀琀爀甀挀琀椀漀渀 䠀愀爀搀猀挀爀愀戀戀氀攀 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 吀攀攀 䤀洀瀀爀漀瘀攀洀攀渀琀猀 䜀愀椀氀氀愀爀搀椀愀 䜀漀氀昀 ☀ 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䈀甀渀欀攀爀 䤀洀瀀爀漀瘀攀洀攀渀琀猀 䜀愀椀氀氀愀爀搀椀愀 䜀漀氀昀 ☀ 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 䈀攀氀氀愀 嘀椀猀琀愀 嘀椀氀氀愀最攀 ⴀ 䜀爀攀攀渀猀 匀甀爀爀漀甀渀搀猀 匀栀愀瀀椀渀最 倀椀渀渀愀挀氀攀 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䈀甀渀欀攀爀 匀栀愀瀀椀渀最 䴀挀䄀氀攀猀琀攀爀 䌀漀甀渀琀爀礀 䌀氀甀戀 ⴀ 䤀爀爀椀最愀琀椀漀渀 刀攀渀漀瘀愀琀椀漀渀

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35

M A HO G A N Y PROF E S SION A L PROF I L E

Kevin Tway by art stricklin

Kevin Tway of Edmond has been on a tear, with five consecutive top 25 finishes including two thirds, shooting up to 55 on the Fed-Ex Points List. What triggered the run?

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You’ve had some really good weeks this spring, with three straight top-5 finishes, four in the top-20, is there something special you can attribute that to?

I’ve been working on my chipping and putting a lot more, and it’s really starting to pay off. Everybody can drive it out here, but the short game is really what separates you. I feel like I’ve been doing pretty good on that so far this spring and it’s showing up in my scores.

Byron Nelson Championship recently. What’s it like to play with someone like that in a final round spotlight?

You just have to focus on your own game when you’re playing with somebody like that. Everybody is good or you wouldn’t be out here. I just foWhat have you learned in the cus on what I’m doing and how couple of years you have been I can get better. out on the PGA Tour that you How much does having a fafeel is helping you now?

Well, it’s a long year and you ther (Bob) who played out here have to pace yourself. I think the and was successful on Tour first year I was out here fulltime help you with your golf?

We talk every single day. Ev(2014), I felt like I was pressing too hard and trying to make ery one. He’s usually already it happen too fast. Now I’ve seen the telecast so we go over chilled out a little bit, taking it the round and he’s always telleasier and letting the game come ing me to stay patient to me. You know it’s a marathon Why did you move from out here, not a sprint, so you always have to be ready. I’ve Oklahoma to South Florida?

The weather is always warm learned you just have to stick with your program and always there and it’s a great place to practice at Jupiter Island. You be working on getting better have a lot of people to get a Have you changed anything game with when you’re not in your game which has helped playing and it’s very helpful to my golf. you?

One shot I’ve been working Do you go back to Oklahoma on is teeing the ball lower and hitting a low cut. It’s worked much?

I get back a lot, especially well on these windy courses we played and I like the cut the ball in the fall. I want to see a lot of Oklahoma State (football) anyway so it’s good for me. games this year. I haven’t had You played with World No. a chance to talk trash with the 1 and defending U.S. Open OU guys on the Tour because Champion Dustin Johnson in they’ve always beaten us, but I the final round of the AT&T think this could be our year.

OMAHA

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

C H A R L E S TON’ S A M AT EU R PROF I L E

Hayden Wood by scott wright

STILLWATER — Mired in a year-long slump, Oklahoma State’s Hayden Wood was looking for answers.

The search ultimately took him to Arizona the summer after his first year at OSU, when he sat out as a redshirt freshman in 2015.

He began working with Dick Hyland, a teaching professional in Scottsdale — the same man whom Wood’s father turned to about a year before he won his first PGA Tour event in 1996.

Hayden Wood emerged from his slump last year to compete in a few events for the Cowboys. This spring, as a sophomore, he became a staple in the middle of the OSU lineup, helping OSU to fifth place in the NCAA Tournament.

Yeah, I had been in a slump for about a year. It was probably the worst I had ever played.

It’s hard to dig your way out of a ditch. But with my dad’s help and Dick’s help, I was able to slowly take baby steps back in the right direction. Then my confidence grew and it kept getDid you feel something click ting better and better. as you were coming into this Karsten Creek is your home season?

Yeah, I had a pretty solid course now, but how old were summer. I didn’t do anything you the first time you played it?

I would go out with my dad too special, but I just played pretty solid all summer long. a lot when I was little, so probAnd I just brought that into the ably the first time I played here, school year. I’ve kept working I was probably 11 or 12. Back then, the coolest thing to me on the same things. was all the trophies you see Is there any one particular when you walk through the part of your game that has an- halls. I obviously wasn’t shootchored your game this season? ing any low numbers back then, I’ve hit it pretty well all year. and the greens were so fast. I I’ve struggled some with my was just in awe of it all. Then as short game. But I’ve worked I got older and we’d play tourwith my dad and my coach, naments out here, you’d see the Dick Hyland out in Arizona, different challenges it brought, and I’ve been getting in the the way you had to control the groove a little bit. My dad has ball on the greens. Obviously, been working with him for a you have to keep the ball in the long time. I first met him my fairway. But my favorite thing freshman year as I was strug- was showing up and hoping gling, and he’s helped me get that some of the guys on the out of that funk and start hit- team at the time would be out ting it solid. I was in a pretty big there so I could harass them a slump and he helped me get out little bit. I’d get to talk to them of it. He just made things sim- and hang out with them some.

We would practice and I’d ple and it has worked for me. watch them hit shots, and then Was it a slow process getting I’d go play with my dad. It was pretty fun. back on track?

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

Doug Tewell

CLASS OF

2017

Football injury, basketball scholarship lead to Hall of Fame golf career Doug Tewell during the 71st PGA Championship held at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. August 10-13, 1989. (Photo by The PGA of America).

Turns out Tewell also could swing the clubs rather than just carry them. He played the oug Tewell freely admits “golf game well, and it didn’t take long to disjust wasn’t on my radar” when he cover this.

“I got pretty good at it quickly because was 12 years old. He was far too busy playing football, baseball on my 13th birthday I went and played my and basketball in his hometown of Stillwa- first ever golf tournament in Okmulgee,” Tewell recalled. “I tied for second with a ter in those days.

Tewell played center in football, was guy named Mark Hayes. I won the playoff.”

Born in Baton Rouge, La., Tewell moved a first baseman in baseball and a “benchwarmer” in basketball. “I thought my fu- to Stillwater at age 11. While Tewell dove ture might be in baseball,” Tewell said. “I head-first into mainstream sports, Hayes began playing golf at age 6 could hit.” and had become somewhat However, Tewell’s athletic of a prodigy by the time he journey took an entirely new was 12, frequently beating path when he suffered a conolder players. cussion at age 12 while playA fellow member of the ing football on Lewis Field.

2017 Oklahoma Golf Hall of “My parents said, ‘That’s it Fame class, Hayes was born for you. No more football,’ ” roughly seven weeks before Tewell said. “Dad said, ‘You Tewell in the summer of ought to start playing golf 1949. They were in the same with me.’ I said, ‘Well, I’ll class while attending school, try it and see.’ It was hard and they’ll be in the same to quit all those other sports because in those days there On your feet and into the class as HOF inductees on was a lot of peer pressure to heat was Labron Harris’ Oct. 1 at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. play football, basketball and motto for Tewell.

Tewell and Hayes being baseball. Here I was joining inducted in the same year seems apropos, the minor sports brigade.”

Tewell wasn’t a complete stranger to golf, given how frequently they battled while having already served as his father’s caddie. simultaneously being teammates at Donart by john rohde

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High School and Oklahoma State University.

The entire Tewell and Hayes families became close. Tewell’s younger brother, Denny, was high school teammates with Doug and Mark. Doug and his wife-to-be, Pam, graduated high school together with Mark. When the Oak Tree development began to grow in the late 1970s, Tewell and Hayes built their houses next to each other.

The Tewells’ daughter, Kristi, was the “first and most reliable babysitter at home and on Tour,” according to Mark’s wife, Jana.

Doug and Mark almost became a package deal as high school recruits, but not at OSU. The University of Houston dominated collegiate golf at that time and coach Dave Williams wanted Hayes on his team.

Tewell said Williams promised him a scholarship if he could convince Hayes to sign with Houston rather than with OSU, the same school where Hayes’ parents received their doctorates.

“Mark’s dad was not going to let him go anywhere but OSU,” Tewell said. In addition, Cowboys golf coach Labron Harris Sr. already had been teaching Hayes for six years.

Meanwhile, the manner in which Tewell wound up with a scholarship to OSU has gone down in school folklore.

While Tewell was working his shift at GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

arship – that would allow Tewell to play didn’t give that a whole lot of thought. My golf for the Cowboys. That’s right, a self- goal was to be a club pro at a great golf reproclaimed benchwarmer who gave up sort somewhere. I wanted to go to the bigthe sport at age 12 received a basketball time golf resorts.”

In 1974, Tewell earned a spot in the Phoescholarship from a Hall of Fame coach who won two NCAA championships nix Open, shot 71-69 in the first two rounds (1945-46) and two Olympic gold medals while paired with Jerry Barber and Lee Elder, made the cut and earned $75. “Here’s (1964, 1968).

Tewell playfully showed up for the first Tom Kite and a couple of guys I knew well from college days saying, ‘Why aren’t you day of OSU basketball practice.

“Mr. Iba asked me what I was doing there,” Tewell said, “but I Doug Tewell was at home on either got a nice pair of Converse tenside of the camera. nis shoes out of it.”

After graduating from OSU in Stillwater Golf & Country Club, in walked legendary Cowboys men’s basketball 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in coach/athletic director Henry P. Iba, who speech communications, Tewell asked if Tewell was ready to join the OSU became an assistant golf pro at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edgolf team that fall.

“No,” said Tewell, who informed Iba he mond and later at Camelback was being recruited by Wake Forest and Country Club in Scottsdale, that Arkansas football coach/athletic di- Ariz., before becoming head rector Frank Broyles and Razorbacks golf pro at Pinetop (Ariz.) Country coach Danny Mason also were working on Club.

“I didn’t give (joining) the a scholarship for Tewell to attend school in PGA Tour that much thought Fayetteville.

The next day, Iba’s secretary called back then,” Tewell said. “I was Tewell to inform him there was a scholar- winning some tournaments in Coach Labron Harris with Jim Deaton, Mike Holder, ship waiting for him – a basketball schol- the South Central PGA, but I Chris Cole, Doug Tewell, Mark Hayes and Jim Shade.

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39

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017 out here (on tour)? You’re a club pro, you step out here in your first event and, ho-hum, you made your first cut? This is so hard to do,’ ” Tewell said.

Shortly thereafter, Tewell earned his “Class A” club pro rating with the PGA of America, which allowed him an opportunity to join the PGA Tour in 1975. His quest began as a “tour rabbit” trying to survive stressful Monday qualifiers to earn a spot in that week’s tour stop. Tewell was so proficient on Mondays he had become a full-time tour member by 1977. Tewell never had to endure PGA Tour Qualifying School, nor did he ever lose his tour playing privileges.

Hayes said. “Doug had great tempo,” and that he always knew Tewell would make it on tour someday.

At 30, Tewell posted two victories in the 1980 season, winning the Sea Pines Heritage Classic and the IVB-Golf Classic. Then came PGA Tour victories at the 1986 Los Angeles Open and 1987 Pensacola Open.

He also won the 1978 South Central PGA Championship, the 1982 Oklahoma Open and the 1988 Acom Team Championship (with Bob Gilder).

His career was abruptly interrupted when he had a major operation on his left elbow performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe in September 1995 that forced Tewell to miss the entire 1996 season.

For the next three years, a recovering Tewell sharpened his game for his debut on the 50-and-older Champions Tour in 1999.

Just like he had caddied for his father at a young age, Tewell occasionally caddied for his own son, Jay, when time allowed.

Tewell exploded onto the senior circuit, posting eight victories from 2000-04. His first senior win was a major title, the 2000 PGA Seniors’ Championship. He won two more times that year and captured the 2000 Rookie of the Year award on the Champions Tour, beating out legends Tom Watson and Kite.

Tewell won a second major championship at the 2001 Countrywide Tradition, where his 23-under par performance became the lowest-scoring total in PGA history for a major championship.

As impressive as the Tradition victory was, Tewell said he considers his best career win to be the 1986 LA Open, where he closed with a 63 playing alongside defending champion Lanny Wadkins to win

Doug Tewell, Labron Harris, Mark Hayes by seven strokes at Riviera Country Club.

“That one did a lot for me mentally,” said Tewell, who recalled famed LA Times columnist Jim Murray wrote that Tewell was “bringing the lady (Riviera) to her knees” during the final round.

A 2007 inductee into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Tewell consistently

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

was one of the game’s straightest hitters off the tee. From 1983-95, he never finished out of the top 15 in driving accuracy on the PGA Tour. From 1990-95, he never finished out of the top 5 in that category and led the tour in 1992-93. In his entire Champions Tour career, Tewell never finished out of the top four in driving accuracy and led the tour in 2002-03.

Accuracy off the tee never was a concern for Tewell.

“That’s something I never really had to work at,” Tewell said. “I just naturally drove the ball straight. What I had to improve was how to get the ball in the hole – the short game – making sure you made every 5-footer you looked at. You just spend hours chipping and putting, trying to get the best you can. What I think I found out later is I should have been more focused on the mental side because I felt like that’s what prolonged my career is I just played very smart.

I didn’t make a lot of stupid mistakes.”

Alas, because of his recurring elbow injury that required a second surgery (this one from Oak Tree neighbor Dr. Carlan Yates), Tewell retired from the Champions Tour in 2007 after earning more than $7.7 million in seven full seasons with eight victories, 11

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

play. I made an early call that, ‘Hey, if I have to take a painkiller to play this game. I’m done.’ ” When sidelined, Tewell’s degree in speech communications served him well as a golf analyst for the Golf Channel, ESPN and Fox Sports. Since his 36-year pro career came to a close, retirement has allowed Tewell to devote time to local charity work such as the First Tee of Oklahoma City and mentoring young golfers. He also has done multiple instructional videos that were heavily viewed on-line.

All told, Tewell earned $10,481,567 in career official prize money on the PGA and Champions tours with 12 victories, 16 runner-up finishes and 115 top-10 finishes.

“Really, I think I should have been better,” Tewell said. “I base most of that on my career with the Senior Tour, because I was 10 times the player I was over 50 than Doug Tewell at the 2001 MasterCard I was under 50. When I look back on my caChampionship Hualali Golf Club. reer, if I would have been an above-average putter, I believe in my own mind I could runner-up finishes and 55 top-10 finishes.

“Around the 13th and 14th hole, my el- have been a superstar. But it didn’t happen. bow would just be killing me,” Tewell I remember after that first full year (2000), said. “I was taking some pretty strong stuff I set my bar pretty high. I regret the fact (medicine) when it was hurting. I decided I didn’t win more, but I was pretty happy I didn’t want to depend on painkillers to with my career.”

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41

CLASS OF 2017

Mark

Hayes From junior legend to

PGA Tour stalwart, hard work, dedication paid off by john rohde

A

fter hiding himself underneath the familiar Amana “bucket” hat that became his signature, Mark Hayes no longer can avoid the acknowledgement he richly deserves.

One of the state’s greatest junior players who went on to notable collegiate, amateur and PGA Tour accomplishments, Hayes will become a member of the 2017 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame during the Oct. 1 induction ceremony at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club.

Hayes came from an athletic lineage. His father, Larry Sr., was a gifted athlete and played for Hall of Fame basketball coach Henry P. Iba at Oklahoma A&M (1945-46; 1947-49). Larry was a member of the 1946 NCAA championship team and the national runner-up in 1949, which is the same year Mark was born.

Larry taught all four of his sons – Larry Jr., Mark, Jim and Dan – how to play golf. Mark started at age 6. His parents were educators who received their doctorates from Oklahoma State so the family moved between Stillwater and Oklahoma City. In Stillwater, Mark started competing in tournaments against older kids at age 10. He remained unbeaten until age 12 when he finally experienced defeat, though only occasionally.

For the better part of a decade, Hayes essentially served as the measuring stick for

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other in-state junior golfers.

Hayes was about 12 when he came under the tutelage of OSU golf coach and 2016 HOF inductee Labron Harris Sr. Around this same time, Hayes convinced another 12-year-old from Stillwater to take up golf. That kid was Doug Tewell, a fellow 2017 Oklahoma Doug Tewell, left, and Mark Hayes, were boyhood friends, rivals Golf HOF inductee and sometimes shared a fondness for bucket hats. who was born just 47 days after Hayes arrived on July 12, 1949. to the afternoon so we could play,” Tewell Hayes and Tewell quickly became lifelong recalled. “Oh, my gosh. We laughed and we had so much fun at those tournaments.” friends/rivals.

Hayes was small for his age, but he was a Tewell said he measured himself as a golfmonster in competitions. Featured frequently er by how well he fared against Hayes.

“I think playing against Mark meant ev- in newspaper articles, Hayes was characerything for my career,” Tewell said with sin- terized as the “little iron man, soft-spoken, cerity. “We all need somebody like that who mild-mannered, quiet, unassuming, smoothwe chase, so to speak. It’s kind of like two swing, poker-faced.”

At 15, Hayes qualified for the 1964 U.S. Juquarterbacks – the starter and the guy who wants to start. Mark set the bar. He was so nior Amateur at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club, much better than the rest of us. I wanted to which was won by Johnny Miller. Hayes beat him worse than anybody, yet we were also became the youngest winner of the friends. I’m not sure we really knew we were Texas-Oklahoma Junior event. At 17, Hayes won three prestigious junior titles when he rivals.”

Tewell recalled the morning he and Hayes claimed the Jay Myers Junior championship played in a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier for a second time, won the Texas-Oklahoma at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. Junior crown a second time (defeating Tom Tewell then bummed a ride with Hayes, Kite), and capped the year with a victory in who drove the 85 miles to Duncan, where the 1967 OGA State Amateur, a title Hayes they arrived for their 2:15 p.m. tee time to would win for a second time in 1971.

“One of the reasons I was so dedicated is compete in the first round of the OGA State that I was small for my age,” Hayes said in a Amateur Championship.

“They had to move our (original) tee time 1976 piece written by Oklahoma City Times GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

Play

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columnist Frank Boggs. “I was a good athlete where he teamed with Tewell, who became before becoming the school’s athletic director in 2005. Holder attended high school in Ardand golf was a good fit. I practiced every day the 1966 Class AA state medalist.

When it was time to choose which col- more and said he never faced Hayes in junior before and after school. I really liked practicing. It wasn’t work to me. I never thought of lege scholarship to accept, Hayes was heavily competition.

“I had just heard of the legend,” Holder doing anything else for a living but play golf.” pursued by coach Dave Williams of Houston, said of Hayes. “In my eyes, In OKC, he lived in the Forest Park area which was dominating colthe first time I saw him, near Lincoln Park Golf Course, where leg- legiate golf at the time. But he was bigger than life. He endary pro and future Oklahoma Golf HOF between the influence of was almost mythical. Being inductee U.C. Ferguson said of a budding his OSU alumni parents and around him and watching Hayes: “He would come in here and beat any Harris, it was no surprise how he went about his busikid of that age at any time. He’d practice, go iorHayes stayed in Stillwater Sen ageand played for the Cowt ness, looking back it’s easy to school, practice again, then go home.dBoy, n a A v dboys. Even though freshr a to see why he was so ache could play. He could chip and putt like a CAdvantage complished at a young age. men were ineligible in those madman. He worked for me and made 50Card He worked at it. He was days, Hayes became the first cents an hour.” very disciplined. He was Hayes absorbed multiple aspects of the recruit in school history to LISTscholOF BENEFITS into nutrition before anyone receive FULL a four-year golf business working for Ferguson.

AVAILABLE was. He started that way Harris. In ON his OUR WEBSITE: “I got up to 75 cents my last $ year,” Hayes arship from 59 Per Player back in college. I can’t say (1970-71), said. “I was 13 and looking for a place to play. last two seasons FREE Golf After Every 5 Rounds Played 39 of Per Senior enough good things about Hayes became Includes a two-time, Fergie required us to learn every$facet that Same Day Round Hayes was a Golf World cover Mark TU Hayes.”

All-American, whole pro shop. It was really a good learning first-team of Golf at Purchase L SAG O L F.O R G boy after winning the Players 8 0 0.get 3 39.

97 You will no2 9argument at the 1970 & Senior experience for me. Of course we had to work tied for seventhAdvantage Championship in 1977.

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43

OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017 “In our 46 years of marriage, I really have never heard him complain,” Jana said. “He has always been an incredibly hard worker, a student trying to educate himself and improve at anything … He just takes things as they are, works and moves forward. A good example was when his low (military) draft number forced him to delay for 1½ years (1971-1973) his lifelong dream to join the tour ASAP. (He was) disappointed, but never complained and felt lucky in the Vietnam War era to be able to work at the military golf shop and continue to compete for the Army and in amateur events.”

In 1972, Hayes won the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur, was medalist in the U.S. Inter-Service tourney, finished second in the U.S. Amateur, competed on the Eisenhower Trophy team and played in that year’s World Cup Amateur. In an effort to hone his game for the 1973 PGA Qualifying School that fall, Hayes surrendered his coveted amateur invitations to the 1973 Masters and Walker Cup to play in a series of two-day Florida minitour events.

Hayes had three PGA Tour victories, winning the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and Pensacola Open in 1976 before capturing

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the wind-swept 1977 Tournament Players round hat.”

After the second round of the 1977 TPC, Championship, which earned him a 10-year tour exemption. Hayes also won the PGA which was played in 40 mph winds, Sports Tour-sponsored Tallahassee Open in 1986 Illustrated’s Dan Jenkins wrote of Hayes: and claimed three Oklahoma Open crowns “Mark certainly has a fine game, a solid over a span of 17 years (1976, 1988 and 1993). swing, but he goes along in one of those brimmed hats, and some Although Hayes had say the most interesting tour wins in 1976 and words he ever uttered were 1977, he was not eligible to ‘thank you’ when his high be considered for the 1977 school bestowed a diploma Ryder Cup team because on him … With condihe hadn’t been on tour tions so bad on Friday, one long enough (now there is player said, ‘If the course no minimum requirement). was an airport, it would be Hayes was an alternate for closed.’ On the course, 50 the 1979 Ryder Cup team players shot 80 or higher.” and wound up replacing Hayes had top-15 finishTom Watson, who withes in all four major champidrew because of his first onships – T15 at the 1976 child’s birth.

PGA Championship; T9 at From 1976-79, Hayes finished No. 11, No. 19, 1979 Ryder Cup with Captain the 1977 British Open; T6 at the 1980 U.S. Open; and No. 15 and No. 23 on the Billy Casper.

T10 at the 1982 Masters.

PGA Tour season money list and became widely recognized for the Hayes said he felt he had more of an advan“bucket” hat he wore. Hayes signed with tage at the majors, where the course and conAmana his first year on tour and the com- ditions were difficult and he could rely on his pany president gave him a box of bucket length and consistency off the tee and around hats and said, “That’s your trademark – the the greens more than when he played in tour-

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

have shot 62 had he not bogeyed the 18th naments that became putting contests.

Hayes’ most historic major moment came hole. Hayes said he was unaware of Henry when he shot a record 63 in the second round Cotton’s previous Open record round of 65.

“I was told as I came away from the 18th of the 1977 British Open on the Ailsa Course green,” Hayes said. “I had no idea what the in Turnberry, Scotland. championship record Making the perforwas and never gave it a mance particularly imthought.” pressive was the fact Hayes carried this Hayes was playing in nonchalance his entire his first British Open, life. had carded an opening“Everyone wants to round 76 and had sudbe a superstar, but I’d denly switched his putlike to be kind of an ting grip. Hayes went obscure one. Like Gene to a cross-handed grip Littler,” Hayes once for the second round said. “I’d rather keep a at the encouragement low profile. I don’t go of Bruce Lietzke, who for all that exposure. I that year had won two like to sit in a corner.” straight tournaments In 1990, Hayes startusing the grip, and ed his golf course deMark Lye. Mark Hayes worked hard at his golf sign business, which was “It’s a very basic stroke course design business, just as he second only to his love of that about 15 golfers on did on his swing. tournament play. the U.S. tour were us“He’d been an active observer of the deing,” Hayes said. “The biggest thing is getting yourself to putt that way without being signs, particularly their playability,” Jana said.

“He loved translating his broad knowledge afraid people will laugh.”

Hayes had six birdies, an eagle and would into golf course designs in Texas, Oklahoma,

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

Kansas and Arkansas. His specialty became renovations, many on the very courses he’d grown up playing as a junior. He loved construction supervision, being on-site, and had Mike Chambers, his favorite contractor, teach him how to operate the sand-pro so he could help with greens construction.”

When Hayes turned 50, he was medalist at the Senior Tour Qualifier.

“He played well for a while, but was dividing his time between design business and playing,” Jana said. “He’d come home on Sunday night, be on-site for Monday and Tuesday and fly out on Tuesday night or Wednesday to the next tournament.”

Hayes played only two full seasons (200001) as a senior and finished with career tour earnings of $2,108,806 in official prize money.

“He was notorious for experimenting with his swing and equipment, always with the goal of perfecting a lasting swing,” Jana said.

“But honestly, most of the guys out there were experimenting. Joe Inman once told me, ‘Mark’s such a great athlete that his body can adjust to a swing change quickly and he can still play great. It’s too easy for him.’ ” Whether he was playing the game or designing courses, Hayes’ quest for perfection never stopped.

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COU R SE U PDAT E

Getting better all the time

Course update

by ken macleod

The par-3 13th at The Woods, one of five new holes built by Jones Plan.

which will impact the first three holes and es, a situation ownership will have to look at require further adjustments to the course in rectifying for The Woods to eventually compete effectively with other public courses in he Woods Golf Course in Coweta years to come.

Beyond the new holes, the rest of the or near its price range. is celebrating the opening of five The course has some challenging and well new holes this spring. The holes, course is irrigated only on greens and tee boxbuilt by Jones Plan, offer a marked improvement over the holes they replaced.

The new holes are holes nine through 13 and include two par-3s, two par-4s and a 531yard par-5. Three have water features and all offer interesting visuals. The holes have their own irrigation pond and system, the fairways and roughs are U-3 Bermuda (also known as Astro) and have a blend of Tyee and 007 bent grass on the gently pitched putting surfaces, which average about 2,600 square feet, or nearly 1,000 more than the average on the rest of the course.

The holes are in the new upscale Celebration at the Woods subdivision being developed by course owner Tommy Thompson.

The Woods recently instituted a moderate bump in green fees to reflect the heavy financial commitment to build and properly maintain the new holes. At $35 including carts on weekends, it is still one of the most economically-priced courses in the region.

Superintendent Jackey Yocham said the popularity of the new holes has helped raise the profile of the course and noted that more changes are coming. A new access road from Highway 51 to the subdivision is planned, New Cedar Ridge bunkers have dramatically reduced maintenance time and costs. photos by rip stell

T

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

Red Rock Grill

The gleaming new bunkers at Tulsa Country Club utilize Capillary Concrete for drainage. thought-out holes, but the name is a bit misleading. Although some holes are lined with trees, it is not carved out of deep woods. Yocham has actually been selectively removing trees in the winters to create better airflow and turf conditions, particularly near greens, a much-needed process he hopes to continue.

The Woods offers a driving range, putting green, large grill open for lunches and plenty of outdoor seating as well. For more information, call 918-486-3117.

Cedar Ridge completes huge bunker upgrade When five inches of rain fell in a four-hour time span in early May at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, superintendent Mike Wooten dispatched one of his workers on a four-hour mission to restore the bunkers to their normal appearance.

Before the completion of a recent coursewide bunker renovation project led by architect Tripp Davis of Norman, Wooten estimates the same rainfall would have required a dozen men working a total of 150 man-hours to restore the bunkers to playable conditions.

“With the Billy Bunker linings, they drain like a sieve,” Wooten said. “Now those guys can be out cleaning out flood damage, cleaning up limbs, and getting the golf course back in shape. You wouldn’t believe the debris we GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

get from Haikey Creek when it floods.”

Under Davis’ direction, Cedar Ridge went from 84 bunkers to 63, reducing square footage from 120,000 to 74,000. Fairway bunkers that were an afterthought before for today’s longer hitters are now strategically placed to challenge them again while making the game easier for higher handicaps.

“They are coming into play more for the top players,” Wooten said. “They can’t carry some of them anymore and that was Tripp’s philosophy: Make them hit a really nice shot.

But a lot of times where we had fairway bunkers on both sides of fairways, we’ve taken one out and filled it in, so you don’t have to thread the needle.”

The bunkers were filled with a mix of white Arkansas decorative stone sand and a 25 percent mix of Arkansas river sand to decrease the glare.

Interesting note: Since the renovation eliminated seven bunkers and six trees on the third hole, a short par-4 with a severe dogleg left to a green guarded by water, the hole has actually climbed on the course handicap sheet to the No. 1 handicap hole. The reason, Wooten said, is because many golfers previously who were blocked by trees or in bunkers off the tee punched their second shots up short of the water, pitched on and either saved par or made bogey. Now many more are going for the green and plunking their second shots in

the water, leading to double bogeys.

TCC brightens look with California White Seven years after a complete renovation guided by Rees Jones, Tulsa Country Club has finished a long-planned final improvement by replacing all of its bunker liners with a product called Capillary Concrete, a porous layer that goes underneath the bunker sand and promotes rapid drainage.

TCC superintendent Brady Finton said the new liners have performed superbly during heavy spring rains.

“It’s been incredible,” Finton said. “Where we would have had our crew shoveling sand for a full day plus part of the next day, we’ve been able to go in and get our raking done in a few hours.”

TCC purchased a sand called California White from Texas Sports Sands and had it shipped via railcar from California.

The gleaming white sand has dramatically changed the look of the course, giving it a bolder, coastal feel.

The 68 course bunkers pretty much kept their existing shapes as they were redone by Jones. The project was completed in May despite 18 days of precipitation in April and early May. “The members really like the change,” Finton said.

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47

COU R SE U PDAT E

Out of

the blue Big Cedar

emerges to

challenge nation's top golf destinations The new Gary Player course will be the next to open. by ken macleod

F

rom Doral to Whistling Straits to Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Calif., Steve Friedlander has helped manage, improve and bring world-class events to some of the nation’s top golf resorts.

What he sees – some parts already in existence and much still under construction -- on a daily basis from his new office deep in the Ozarks at Big Cedar Lodge will soon rival any golf destination in the country, from Bandon Dunes to Pinehurst.

“We’re going to have five courses designed by five of the greatest golf course architects in the world,” Friedlander said.

“Then you’ve got this incredible resort, the stunning beauty of the Ozarks, the hunting and fishing. People will come here from all over the country and all over the world.”

Friedlander is the new vice president of golf for Big Cedar. His job is to oversee and market the emerging golf destination, which began with the more than decade-long rebuild of the Jack Nicklaus-designed Top Of The Rock course, a stunning par-3 on a scenic bluff overlooking Table Rock Lake. The new course was amazing, but owner Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops fame also added an otherworldly driving range designed by Arnold Palmer, a Himalaya putting green by Tom Watson, a fantastic natural history museum, two restaurants, a cave tour and more.

The putting green has since been swallowed by a massive sinkhole which Morris is quickly turning into yet another attraction.

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But the golf empire continues to swell. First there was the purchase of the former Branson Creek, a Tom Fazio design long rated one of the top courses in the state. While improvements began on the now named Buffalo Ridge course, Morris also purchased the former Murder Rock course and clubhouse and commissioned Gary Player to design a 13-hole short course ringing the ridgeline, while Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore started

Steve Friedlander on a full 18-hole course on the former Murder Rock site.

Then came the piece de resistance. Tiger Woods was on hand in late April to announce the design of his first public-access course, due to open in 2019.

Unless Morris starts another venture before those five courses are open, Friedlander will still have one of the nation’s top resorts to promote. Courses by Nicklaus, Fazio, Player, Coore-Crenshaw and Woods will give it instant credibility and appeal.

Friedlander said the golf will stack up against any resort. The bonus will be the sheer beauty of the surroundings plus all the other activities Morris has to offer, including fly fishing or hiking at Dogwood Canyon, or shooting at one of the nation’s top gun ranges.

“This is a huge undertaking,” Friedlander said. “Avid golfers around the world are going to want to come here. This is going to be a must-visit area in the country and around the world.”

When talk turns to competing against long-established golf resorts like Pinehurst or even newer ones such as Bandon Dunes, that’s an ambitious undertaking. One has Donald Ross, five major championships and a Ryder Cup, the other has the Pacific Ocean and the best links experience in the U.S. Friedlander was instrumental in making the courses in Kohler, Wis., led by Whistling Straits, part of the must-play circuit for the traveling golf cognoscenti and he has no doubt what will happen at Big Cedar.

“We have a public relations and marketing plan and we expect to expand our reach to both coasts, to Europe and into Asia in countries like China, Japan and Korea.”

Friedlander said. “We think this is going to be a must-play for the traveling golfer.”

Courses by Nicklaus, Crenshaw and Coore, Player and Fazio have instant credibility and curiosity with golf architecture geeks. Woods doesn’t bring that, but the developers are counting on his first public course being one that his fans will make an GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

“America’s Next Great Golf Destination” – Shaun Tolson, Robb Report

Opening Fall 2017!

Gary Player Mountain Top Course

I

nspired by a deep desire to connect people to nature, Johnny Morris has set out to create one of the greatest golf experiences in the country. With names like Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson behind the design, it’s no wonder that Top of the Rock is the first-ever par-3, 9 hole course to be included in a PGA TOUR event. Along with the Jack Nicklaus signature course, the Arnold Palmer Driving Range is an experience you won’t want to miss. Nearby Buffalo Ridge is its own world-class outing and is also home to the PGA TOUR Champions event, the Bass Pro Legends of Golf. Ranked the #1 course in Missouri by Golf Magazine for 2016-2017, Buffalo Ridge has been transformed by the guiding hands of conservationist Johnny Morris and renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio. The game of golf is continuing to grow at Big Cedar Lodge. This year, the resort will proudly introduce a Gary Player designed world-class short course, followed by a Coore & Crenshaw 18-hole, championship course that will open in 2018. Golf at Big Cedar Lodge is truly an experience you will never forget!

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800.225.6343 • bigcedar.com Buffalo Ridge Golf Course

Arnold Palmer Driving Range

Top of the Rock Golf Course

COU R SE U PDAT E

Johnny Morris and Tiger Woods announce new course. effort to play. The name recognition factor is off the charts.

“It will be the first design he’s done that is open to the public and we’re very excited about that,” Friedlander said. “We’re talking about the greatest golfer of all time, with the things he’s seen and done around the world and his incredible knowledge, bringing that to bear here in the Ozarks. People from all over the world will want to come here and play it. Just because it’s Tiger.”

The Branson Chamber of Commerce

has helped pave the way for the area to be known as a golf destination. After the opening of what was formerly the Payne Stewart Course, now known as Branson Hills, the chamber hired a national golf public relations firm to begin marketing the destination in a golf vein, with then Payne Stewart, then Murder Rock and then Branson Creek being three of the major highlights along with Ledgestone, Thousand Hills, Point Royale and Holiday Hills. Top of the Rock was still closed for renovations, as it had

been for more than a decade.

Much has changed. Morris opened Top of the Rock, purchased Fazio’s Branson Creek, renaming it Buffalo Ridge, and he bought Murder Rock, which disappeared to make room for the Crenshaw-Coore course. The Payne Stewart Course lost its contract to have the Payne Stewart name and memorabilia and became Branson Hills.

Suddenly, the group of courses that made up the Branson Golf Council and were being touted for stay and play packages had changed considerably. And just next door, Morris was suddenly building a golf empire.

“It’s wonderful,” said Lynn Berry, communications manager for the Branson Convention & Vistors Bureau. “It’s over and above anything we would have anticipated when we started out with the push to include golf as part of our destination marketing.”

Berry said what Morris is doing is a wonderful gift to the residents of southwest Missouri.

“If you take away what John has done, we’ve still seen an increase in visitors, but you cannot take away what he has done.

The spotlight on this part of Missouri is just phenomenal.”

What sort of interaction there will be between the Big Cedar Resort courses and the

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The Gary Player Course is scheduled to open Aug 1. other Branson courses remains to be seen, but Berry expects it to be mutually beneficial in the end.

She also said visitors to Branson itself have been steadily rising, from just over four million in 2000 to 9.3 million in 2016. Shows have undergone a transition, with many younger performers replacing those who have retired or died. Visitor demographics have trended younger with more folks willing to try the many outdoor pursuits avail-

able in the Ozarks as well.

A sign at Top of The Rock indicates that Arnie’s Lodge is coming soon, meaning more rooms dedicated for golfers. Friedlander can’t say much about that project yet, but suffice it to say that with the addition of Arnie’s Lodge and the Payne’s Valley Course by Woods, don’t expect Morris to slow down.

“The most amazing thing to me as someone who worked on the coasts much of his life, is the sheer beauty and variety of the

Ozarks,” Friedlander said. “The beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The hospitality of the people here. It’s very exciting and sets a very inspirational mood.”

Notes: The Gary Player Course, 13 holes ringing the renovated clubhouse that previously served Murder Rock, is set to open Aug. 1. It will be walking only. Pricing details have not been released. Tee times will be available through Big Cedar Lodge and through the pro shop.

It’s close to home... And, it’s an unforgettable golfing experience. You’ll spend less time traveling and more time doing what you love to do... Playing tons of golf. Come PLAY and STAY with us. Book your Golf Trail Getaway today. Visit GolfingAtFunLake.com.

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51

H ISTORY

T-O Junior turns by pat wheeler

6

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The trip from Wichita Falls to Denton was not a long one but seemed an eternity to a 17-year-old Don Robertson, not to mention perilous because of the tears blurring his vision.

The world was crashing down on him in waves of condemnation – how do you blow a 7-shot lead with only 14 holes to play?

“I couldn’t take it anymore,” Robertson said, “so I just rolled down that large window in my ’65 Chevy and hurled that second-place trophy into the weeds and kept driving. But after about two or three miles, I was remorseful and turned around to go back and get it. It wasn’t hard to find – shining in the sun like it was.”

First played in 1957, the Texas-Oklahoma Junior turns 60 when it is played for the 61st time June 19-21 (tojrgolf.com). A large-scale tournament that was ahead of its time, the T-O Junior proved to be a forerunner to the modern junior tours that sprang up in the 1980s and have since flourished.

Robertson’s poignant recall of his trauma at the 1971 tourney speaks to the importance of such a big tournament for young golfers.

“I was so young and things just started going the wrong way and I didn’t know what to do – how to manage myself,” said Robertson, now a caddy on the PGA Tour Champions. “I know now that it was just a junior tournament, but back then it was my whole world. Yet, even though I didn’t win, that tournament let me know I could play at a top level and I got a scholarship to North Texas because of it.”

Robertson would go on to play all four years at the University of North Texas. He later became a club professional and totes for Scott Dunlap on the senior circuit. The winner that year was Scott Haynie, a local Wichita Falls golfer who would go on to have a successful amateur record.

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Just how big a deal was the T-O Junior in the early 1970s? Austin’s Ben Crenshaw had already been low amateur at the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine National before coming to Wichita Falls that August.

Crenshaw was paired with local hotshot Bobby Harwell to represent Texas in a fivesome that also included two Oklahoma players – defending champion Bruce Scott and a very nervous Mark Debolt. The fifth member of that group for a 9-hole exhibition was Arnold Palmer, on his way to the PGA Championship later that week at Southern Hills. Before the match, Palmer conducted a clinic and more than 5,000 attended.

“I was so nervous that I couldn’t find my glove and frantically asked to borrow one so I could tee off,” Debolt said. “Later I saw a picture and my glove was in my back pocket. I was a mess and just praying to make contact.”

Debolt now teaches golf in Minnesota. In contrast to Debolt’s emotions that day was the cool and uncanny play of Harwell. The son of a greens superintendent at Weeks Park, where the tournament is based, Harwell was a prodigy known for his sparkling short game.

Harwell quickly showcased his talent by holing a 40-yard wedge shot for an eagle-2 on the short first hole that was greeted by an arched eyebrow from Palmer. Then Harwell rolled in a 30-foot putt for a birdie on the second that earned a patented stare from Palmer. The crowd loved it.

Crenshaw also got Palmer’s attention by outdriving him on the long and straight par-

Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw and Bob Elliot prepare to play for the Texas side in 1968.

4 second hole, displaying a powerful swing and confidence that would allow him to go on to win that 1970 tournament over the late Mike Huebinger of San Antonio.

The 1970 tournament ended in a fashion that served to embellish Crenshaw’s legendary junior career. With a two-shot lead, he hit 3-wood on the 18th to avoid going into a creek some 100 yards short of the green.

Crenshaw hit it too well, however, and the hard ground had the ball headed for the water until it bounced to the right and rolled over the bridge to the other side. A wedge and two-putt secured Gentle Ben the win.

Nine years later, he returned to conduct the clinic and be present when the bridge was officially named “Crenshaw’s Bridge.”

Crenshaw’s appearance at the annual clinic that precedes the tournament was another in a long tradition honored through the years by the greats of golf. In addition to Palmer, the clinic has been conducted by such legends as Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Lee Trevino, Don January, Miller Barker and Gary Player. On the Oklahoma side, Labron Harris and Ernie Vossler can be added to a list that also includes Dave Marr, Jay Hebert and more recently Bruce Lietzke and Bill Rogers.

Vossler, when conducting the clinic for the 1966 tournament, said Wichita Falls should be proud of hosting the “best junior tournament in the world.”

“We’ve had everybody but Jack Nicklaus,” 1970 Texas Amateur champion Bill Holstead GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

said. “He wanted to come through the years but always had a scheduling conflict.”

Holstead, like PGA Tour Champions threetime winner Rocky Thompson, hails from Wichita Falls but never won the T-O Junior.

Holstead was runner-up in 1961 and 1963.

The first tournament in 1957 featured Nelson at the clinic. The Weeks Park Men’s Golf Association, noting the success of the Texas-Oklahoma Invitational in its seventh year, teamed up with the Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation Department to establish a junior event for the two-state area.

“Byron Nelson hitting balls at the clinic is what I remember most about that tournament,” 1957 champion Babe Hiskey said. “I was staying with a family that lived across the street from the course and after dark, I went wading in the pond near the first green and got a bunch of brand new Titleists that Nelson hit that day. It wasn’t until later that someone told me that pond is full of water moccasins.”

Hiskey was in town because his older brother, Marion, was graduating from college in Denton that week.

“My dad was the pro and greenskeeper at the course in Pocatello, Idaho, and we drove down for Marion’s graduation,” Hiskey said,

“so he just dropped me off in Wichita Falls and then picked me up on the way back home.”

Hiskey, like so many of the past winners, went on to win on the PGA Tour and now lives in Houston where he continues to play the game he loves at age 77.

Oklahoma has produced its share of junior legends through the years as well, but none have been bigger than Mark Hayes, who will go into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame this fall as part of the third class of inductees that includes Vossler and Hayes’ longtime friend and fellow competitor Doug Tewell. Hayes won the 1965 and 1967 tournaments with his second win coming over future U.S. Open champion Tom Kite, who would win in 1968.

The first junior boy from Oklahoma to win the T-O was Pete Harchette in 1959.

In the tournament’s 60-year run, 12 Oklahomans have won 17 titles. Other multiple winners besides Hayes are Tulsa’s Tom Jones in 1972-73, Lawrence Field in 1976-77 and recent three-time winner Mason Overstreet in 2013-15.

It was in 1984 that the T-O began its girls division and it has seen only one Oklahoma golfer win – Megan Blonien in 2011 and 2012.

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53

DEST I NAT IONS

Lousiana's Audubon Golf Trail - Imagine the possibilities! by dave finn

W

hen I think of Louisiana, the first place that springs to mind is New Orleans.

I think of Bourbon Street, balconies, and beads. I can taste the gumbo and beignets served with chickory coffee. I can hear the jazz notes floating in the air, and the beat of feet tapping away to a Zydeco tune, but when it comes to golf, that’s only the beginning of the adventure.

Imagine 16 of the state’s top golf courses stretching from New Orleans to the Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi borders. Imagine yourself following a path that will let you explore Northern Louisiana, a Sportsman’s Paradise, Cajun Country, the Plantation Region and the Big Easy. Imagine challenging yourself on courses designed by legendary golf greats such as Pete Dye, Arnold Palmer, Hal Sutton, David Toms and Robert Trent Jones.

Imagine yourself following the Audubon Golf Trail as it weaves its way from The Big Easy to Baton Rouge and Monroe through bayous and wetlands, live

oaks, cypress groves, and upland pine forests and rolling hills. Imagine the efforts of 16 cooperative members to protect the abundant native wildlife and preserve the natural habitat while delivering the ultimate golf experience.

Imagine yourself there.

We began our journey with a round at The Golf Course at Audubon Park located in the historic district, minutes from downtown New Orleans. This par-62, 4,220-yard 18-hole layout opened in 1898 and meanders through 81 acres of centuries-old oak trees with five lakes surrounded by a bustling pedestrian-friendly park. It is the only golf course in America accessible by streetcar and has been ranked by Golfweek in the Top-50 Municipal Courses.

Baton Rouge lies in the heart of Plantation Country. The city is home to Louisiana State University and hums to the beat of student life. There are six Audubon championship courses within striking distance of the Capital, and on this trip, we chose to play Santa Maria. This municipal Robert Trent Jones Sr. course has a parkland-style feel set on 150

acres of rolling lowland terrain with 15 lakes, two natural waterways and ancient oaks that frame the well-tended Bermuda fairways. I loved the layout, especially the beautiful par5 finishing hole that led us back to the lovely Spanish-style clubhouse. With green fees including cart and taxes ranging from $36 to $52, Santa Maria is a steal.

Our next stop was the Carter Plantation Golf Club, the first course designed by PGA Tour champion and LSU alumnus David Toms. This 18-hole, par-72 course features three distinct landscapes including magnificent live oaks, cypress wetlands and a tall pines and hardwood forest. There are subtle rolling fairways throughout this lowland layout but beware, water comes into play on 11 holes. For the most part, the greens are crested with swales around them and the bunkering is rugged-faced with deep soft sand. Similar to an Arnold Palmer design, you’ll soon discover that if you are not playing from the right tee blocks, you will be hitting your second shots out of bunkers all day long.

The Tamahka Trails Golf Club is about 90 miles north of Baton Rouge, and forms an integral part

The 18th hole at TPC Louisiana, site of the Zurich Classic,

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Tamahka Trails Golf Club. of the upscale Paragon Casino Resort. This Steve Smyers design is a hybrid layout of links and parkland-style holes with numerous, deep sod-faced bunkers. With a little imagination you might feel that you’ve been transported “across the pond” to where it all began - Scotland. This is a top-notch facility and with unlimited golf with your greens fees, a must play as you navigate the trail.

The Black Bear Golf Club at Poverty Point State Park in northeastern Louisiana marks the start of the trail. This Bechtol Russell design has consistently ranked as one of the best public golf courses in the state. I must admit it was probably my most favorite layout because of the well tree-lined fairways and huge elevation changes, but be advised that the course is undergoing some upgrades. The green-side bunkers have been repaired and next on the list is the restoration of the fairway bunkers. In the meantime, enjoy the stunning views.

But I’ve saved the best for last.

Imagine the thrill of playing in the Zurich Classic Pro-Am. When we pulled up to the stately clubhouse at TPC Louisiana, I realized I was about to do what most golf fans only dream of doing.

You see, for the first time ever, I would be playing in a PGA Tour event. Truly, I was so taken in by the entire scene that all I could think to do was snap pictures. Before I knew it, it was time to find our teams and at this point, I think I was honestly vibrating. Let’s face it, playing a Dye course is challenging in its own right, but playing with a pro ups the ante.

As I slipped behind the ropes, I realized how privileged I was to have this chance to get a taste of tournament life, something you can’t really witness from the gallery or appreciate watching the big screen. I was out of my comfort zone but excited at the same time.

We were paired with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, a seven-time European champion who was not only a great golfer but also a real gentleman. From the moment we stepped onto the first tee to pose for our individual pictures with him, he put us at ease. The best advice he gave us was to not focus on our scorecards but simply enjoy our day and I did. The only way I can describe how I felt when we finished our round was this was an experience of a lifetime!

Now it’s time to stop imaging what it would be like to play any of the 16 courses that comprise the Audubon Trail and head for Louisiana to start making memories of your own.

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P R I D E I N P R E PA R I N G FROM S C R AT C H EVERY

W E TA K E OUR FOOD

D AY.

9221 LAKE HEFNER PKWY | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 1820 LEGACY PARK DR | NORMAN, OK 9916 RIVERSIDE PKWY | TULSA, OK

W W W. R E D R O C KC A N YO N G R I L L . C O M

I NST RUC T ION

Getting your game "Over the hump" John (his name has been changed to protect the innocent) came into the pro shop and I asked him about his round of golf.

“I shot 79 (a good score for him), but had two doubles and Michael Boyd a triple.,”John said.

“On 14, I hit a perfect drive and shanked my wedge right out of bounds.”

John tells me a similar story a lot, and because he keeps telling it to me, he keeps living it out repeatedly; only sometimes, the other holes aren’t so hot and he shoots 89.

I had been teaching and coaching a woman for one year. In a particular lesson, we had gone over some course strategy and management. She went on to par a particularly long par-4 hole after I convinced her to lay up and then play for the middle of the green on her third shot.

I ran into her during our ladies’ member-

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guest as she was driving to her ball in a similar position on the same hole. I said to her, “that seems like the exact spot you made from par from with me.” She replied with a twinkle in her eye, “It is.” I received a text a few minutes later after I had driven on. “I didn’t make par … I holed it for birdie.”

Are you catching on? The stories we tell ourselves affect us. They affect us deeply.

Words produce pictures in our minds, something chemical takes place. We begin to see and feel those occurrences. I’ve been told that if you put champion skiers in a chair, and have them watch a point of view video of a course run that their legs begin to fire in much the same way as if they were actually skiing the course themselves.

At this point, hopefully you can identify with some of these anecdotes, and you are asking yourself what you can do to improve your mental performance and “get over the hump.” Below are three ways to better your mental framework.

1. Learn to intently focus on what you want to accomplish

You must learn the skill of positive visualization; the art of seeing the shot you want to hit in a very clear and real way.

Paint a mental picture of what you want, tell the story of a successful shot through pictures in your mind. Speaking out loud about what you want to do as you see it is a very positive way to help your visualizations become clearer.

You must practice this art because it may not come naturally. How often do you picture failure? How often do you verbalize or internalize the things you do not want to do? You must enhance your ability to arrest such thoughts and focus on the positive intent you have through practice and repetition.

Next time you go hit balls, go through your normal warm-up, do any drills your instructor has given you and then take three clubs out of your bag (a wedge, 7-iron, and driver for example). Begin hitting situational shots; shots you may find on the course. a) Set the scene. A tight fairway, a wedge over water, a 7-iron to a left flag, etc.…

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b) Stand behind the ball, take some controlled deep breaths and visualize the shot. c) Walk into the shot and execute. d) Repeat this process changing clubs, targets, and situations on each shot. e) Practice arresting the negative pictures and refocusing on what you want to accomplish.

During the weeks prior to Tiger Woods playing in a major you would hear him talk about practicing certain shots for the upcoming major. You would hear about the draw around the corner on 13 at Augusta, the now infamous stinger 2-iron or 3-wood to get it in play at the U.S. Open, and so on. He prepped for tournaments by working on the situation and to do that, he had to visualize. From there he stored up a treasure chest of positive performance from which he could draw confidence.

1. Harness the power of positive recall Everyone has their favorite holes, courses, clubs, etc. Everyone also has their least favorite as well. Why do you think that is?

Over and over you kept telling your story of success or failure, it’s not always verbal, it sometimes is just pictures played over and over in your mind.

I remember watching Fred Couples as a junior being interviewed after a win where he birdied 18. When asked what he was thinking about hitting his final shot, he said “the best 7-iron I ever hit.”

It seems so simple. But, honestly, it takes a lot of discipline. It takes a level of engagement most of us are not willing to undertake.

This week begin storing up those great performances that you can draw from later, when it counts. Start a journal of your bests every day. a. Each day write down your best drive, approach, wedge, and putt. b. Be vivid. Use imagery that can help you recall it later. c. Express what you felt, what you thought about, what you visualized. d. Go over these from time to time (rather than retelling your bad stories, dwell upon your good ones).

Next time someone asks about your round, commit to only telling them about your best shots, regardless of your score.

1. Carry yourself with confidence There is a science to body language. How we carry ourselves, the way we stand, sit, etc., not only reflects how we feel in a situation, it affects how we feel in a situation.

Amy Cuddy in her famous TED Talk made the conclusion to “fake it until you become it.” She found you can literally change the GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

way you feel about yourself, and others’ perception of you by doing some simple body language exercises.

Your “homework” on this point is to watch Amy’s TED Talk (linked above) and do two minutes of power poses every day.

Practice positive body language throughout your day, and watch yourself transform.

Over time if you practice the art of positive visualization, dwell on your good shots through vivid journaling, and carry yourself with confident body language you will, at the very least, enjoy golf on a whole new level. But, my guess is you will transform your game and “get over the hump,” towards your best levels of performance.

If you want to read the full blog check out www.michaelboydgolf.com or to set up a lesson call me at 918-645-0986.

We have a new indoor learning center at The Club at Indian Springs, so even if the weather isn’t ideal we can get to work on making you better.

Michael Boyd, PGA Director of Instruction Michael Boyd Golf Academy The Club at Indian Springs

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SUPER I N T E N DE N T’S PER SPEC T I V E

present ed by

Golfers can help superintendents with conditions by chris cook superintendent bailey ranch golf course

The cool, wet weather of spring has passed, the days are warm and sunny and the extreme heat of late summer has not yet begun. With so many rounds being played on area golf courses, it’s a good time to talk about etiquette from the golf course superintendent’s perspective.

During this time of the year, one of the topics discussed most often is repairing ball marks on greens. The opinions I get range from wishing more people fixed them, to wondering why the maintenance staff doesn’t just take care of it. While I could not agree more with the idea of everyone fixing at least one ball mark per green, I am troubled with the idea of pushing the responsibility for repairing ball marks to the maintenance staff. It may be feasible for many courses to take on this responsibility, but this creates an unnecessary burden on the maintenance staff and ties up precious labor that could be spent elsewhere on the golf course.

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Raking bunkers is another topic that seems to come up a lot. One common response I often hear when discussing bunker etiquette is that the maintenance staff will fix it in the morning. While this may be true, this line of thinking doesn’t take into consideration the golfers behind you that still might have to play out of that bunker. The proper thing to do would be to rake your footprints and leave the bunker better than you found it.

This would ensure that no one has to deal with hitting a bunker shot out of a footprint.

Filling divots on fairways and tee boxes is perhaps a little different because not every golf course will have the resources to provide golfers with sand for the divots. For those facilities that have sand readily available, proper etiquette would dictate that you fill all your divots to keep the surfaces level and smooth. Similarly to the bunker raking mentality, it has been my experience that many people believe that the maintenance staff should fill divots. Again, while many courses can afford to fill divots on a regular basis, these resources could be put to better use elsewhere.

Improper golf cart etiquette can be one of the most frustrating things superintendents have to deal with each season. Golf carts are necessary, but the compaction that results from excessive traffic has one of the biggest impacts on turf quality. A common problem is golfers leaving the cart paths when the course is “cart path only.” Please understand that the superintendent does not want to restrict carts and inconvenience your round, but does so in the best interest of the golf course.

Another issue that facilities face is carts driving through roped off areas or ignoring directional signage. These items are necessary to protect certain areas of the course from traffic stress such as new sod, wet areas or thin areas. All we ask is that golfers pay closer attention to all ropes and signage while on the golf course.

As superintendents, it is our job to provide the best possible conditions every day and to protect the golf course from any undue stress or damage. With the cooperation of golfers, the maintenance staff will be able to create a better golfing experience for everyone.

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GOL F FI TN E SS

Is weighlifting good for golf?

Sean Riley SwingFit

Ryan Smith SwingFit

More now than ever, fitness is one of the most talked about topics in golf.

It’s no secret that many of the top players in the world recognize the value of golf-specific exercises. They are constantly striving for more speed, power and ultimately distance while reducing injuries.

This mindset has fortunately trickled down to college players, juniors, seniors, and common amateurs alike.

We are well aware of the recent struggles of some of the world’s top players. Let’s look at Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – two of the best to play the game. The coverage of Tiger’s struggling comeback has been attributed to numerous factors. While the debate continues, a common theme has been his multiple low back surgeries and past training techniques. Although a single factor may not be the culprit, many experts believe over-training may have played a big part.

More specifically, high load strength training.

More recently, Rory has been dealing with injuries after employing higher load strength training. So this begs the question, “Is weightlifting a safe and effective option for golf specific training?”

Consistent with Tour players, we are seeing golfers spending more time in the gym working with trainers seeking strength and power. However, a focus on training on movement patterns prior to heavier load exercise is often missing.

To get better results before hitting the gym 60

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or calling a trainer, answer these simple questions. What are your goals? What are your limitations? What is your medical history? Combine these answers with a proper physical screening to identify your functional limitations and you have a great road map for improved function in your golf game.

Of course, weight training is a vital component to developing speed and power. We aren’t suggesting this shouldn’t part of a player’s training program. However, if you can’t perform fundamental movement patterns without load, your risk of injury rises greatly when you add load.

For example, let’s say a player is performing back squats with a trainer yet can’t complete a proper overhead deep squat (Fig. 1). Or is performing another common dysfunctional exercise, the deadlift, yet is unable to perform a toe touch test (Fig 2).

A proper physical screen would alert both the players and exercise professional this is a risky exercise and more movement pattern work needs to be completed prior to implementing. This in turn will reduce the player’s risk of injury and ultimately speed up their development of speed and power in the golf swing.

As any weight loss specialist or nutritionist will tell you, “Everything in moderation.” The same concept applies to the

gym.

First, clearly establish your goals. Second, find an expert to properly identify your physical limitations and develop a training program. It’s always a good idea to work with a properly qualified TPI trainer or medical professional, at the least, in the initial sessions. Lastly, use common sense and don’t ignore pain. Many times, these aches are a predecessor to more significant injury on down the road.

Remember, we all have different physical makeups, just like Rory and Tiger, so focus on a program that’s right for you.

SwingFit specializes in golf specific fitness, performance, and training services for golfers of all ages. Founded by Titleist Performance Institute Certified Medical Professionals, Dr. Ryan Smith, DPT and Dr. Sean Riley, DC, SwingFit gives players access to the same proprietary testing and training systems used the by the best players in the world. The SwingFit system identifies the least amount of physical changes required in your body to produce the greatest results in your golf swing. The result is better practice with your swing coach and more enjoyment on the course. To schedule your SwingFit Golf Assessment and receive a comprehensive physical training program designed to unlock your full potential, contact SwingFit at (918) 743-3737 or visit us on the web at www.swingfittulsa.com.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

SCH E DU L E S & R E SU LTS : More at w w w.gol fok la homa.org COLLEGE MEN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP AT RICH HARVEST FARMS, SUGAR GROVE, ILL. (PAR-72) MAY 26-31 MATCH PLAY QUARTERFINALS OKLAHOMA DEF. BAYLOR 3-2 Cooper Dossey (B) def. Blaine Hale 1-up; Braden Bailey (B) def. Max McGreevy 2 and 1; Rylee Reinertson (OU) def. Garrett May 1-up; Grant Hirschman (OU) def. Hunter Shattuck 1-up; Brad Dalke (OU) def. Matthew Perrine 1-up (19 holes).

OREGON DEF. OKLAHOMA STATE 3-2 Viktor Hovland (OSU) def. Wyndham Clark 2 and 1; Edwin Yi (Oregon) def. Kristoffer Ventura 1-up; Zachary Olsen (OSU) def. Niorman Xiong 3 and 1; Ryan Gronlund (Oregon) def. Zach Bauchou 2 and 1; Sukman Raza def. Hayden Wood 2 and 1.

Other results: Illinois def. Southern Cal 3-1-1; Vanderbilt def. UNLV 3-2.

SEMIFINALS OKLAHOMA DEF. ILLINOIS 3-1-1 Hale (OU) def. Edoardo Lipparelli 4 and 3; McGreevy (OU) def. Giovanni Tadiotto 2 and 1; Reinertson (OU)_ def. Michael Feagles 3 and 1; Hirschman (OU) and Nick Hardy, A/S; Dylan Meyer (I) def. Dalke 1-up.

Other result: Oregon def. Vanderbilt 3-2 FINAL OKLAHOMA DEF. OREGON 3-1-1 Hale (OU) def. Xiong 4 and 3; McGreevy (OU) def.

Yi 3 and 2; Clark (Oregon) def. Reinertson 1-up; Hirschman (OU) and Gronlund A/S; Dalke (OU) def. Raza 2 and 1.

Stroke Play Team scores: 1, Vanderbilt 278-288-280-293 – 1,139; 2, Oklahoma 284-279-284-304 – 1,151; 3, Illinois 282-283-285-304 – 1,154; 4, Oklahoma State 282-287-283-303 – 1,155; 5, Oregon 294282-289-293 – 1,158; 6, Southern Cal 284-283280-311 – 1,158; 7, Baylor 288-280-287-304 – 1,159; 8, UNLV 283-279-285-31 – 1,159; 9, Louisiana State 291-277-290-303 – 1,161; 10, Virginia 288-283-284307 – 1,162; 11, Auburn 282-284-290-308 – 1,164; 12, Texas 293-283-283-307 – 1,166; 13, Pepperdine 289-293-287-311 – 1,180; 14 (tie), Central Florida 294-284-293-310 – 1,181 and Florida State 289285-286-321 – 1,181. Note – 15 teams were cut after 54 holes.

Individual leaders: 1, Braden Thornberry (Ole Miss) 66-71-69-71 – 277; 2, Mason Overstreet (Ark.) 7068-72-71 – 281; 3 (tie), Matthias Schwab (Vandy) 67-70-70-75 – 282, Scottie Scheffler (Texas) 68-68-68-78 – 282 and Theo Humphrey (Vandy) 71-72-69-70 – 282; 6 (tie), Dylan Meyer (Ill.) 71-6769-77 – 284 and Rico Hoey (USC) 74-68-66-76 – 284; 8 (tie), Viktor Hovland (OSU) 68-74-68-75 – 285, John Oda (UNLV) 69-69-72-75 – 285 and John Augenstein (Vandy) 74-70-69-72 – 285; 11 (tie), Blaine Hale (OU) 72-69-70-75 – 286, Ben Griffin (North Carolina) 70-72-72-72 – 286, Gavin Hall (Texas) 73-71-68-074 – 286, Jimmy Stanger (Va.) 70-71-68-77 – 286 and Ryan Grionlund (Ore.) 78-68-70-70 – 286; 16 (tie), Max McGreevy (OU) 69-72-68-78 – 287, Dawson Armstrong (Lipscomb) 71-68-72-76 – 287, Edoardo Lipparelli (Ill.) 70-71-70-76 – 287 and Jonathan Hardee (Ala.) 69075-67-76 – 287.

Other scores: Hayden Wood (OSU) 71-72-70-76 – 289, Grant Hirschman (OU) 73-72-72-74 – 291, Zachary Olsen (OSU) 69-76-72-78 – 295, Zach Bauchou (OSU) 79-68-74-74 – 295, Brad Dalke (OU) 70-70-79-77 – 296, Rylee Reinertson (OU) 74-68-74-83 – 299, Kristoffer Ventura (OSU) 7473-73-79 – 299.

NCAA AUSTIN REGIONAL AT UT GC, AUSTIN, TEXAS (PAR-71) MAY 15-17 Team scores: 1, Oklahoma State 287-282-270 – 839; 2, Texas 277-288-276 – 841; 3, Iowa State 290-292-263 – 845; 4, Mississippi 282-294-278 – 854; 5, Arizona State 290-293-276 – 859; 6, Wake Forest 294-293-276 – 863; 7, N.C. State 290297-277 – 864; 8, Charleston 291-295-289 – 875; 9, Kansas 296-301-279 – 876; 10, McNeese State 303-300-274 – 877; 11 (tie), Liberty 294-305-280

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– 879 and Georgia Southern 295-292-292 – 879 ; 13, Wichita State 308-288-291 – 887; 14, St. Peter’s 319-316-309 – 944.

Individual leaders: 1, Nick Voke (IS) 71-67-61 – 199; 2, Doug Ghim (texas) 68-69-67 – 204; 3, Scott Scheffler (Texas) 66-73-66 – 205; 4, Braden Thornberry (Ole Miss) 68-72-69 – 209; 5 (tie), Kristoffer Ventura (OSU) 71-70-69 –210, Viktor Howland (OSU) 71-72-67 – 210, Zachary Olsen (OSU) 73-70-67 –2 10, Ale Del Rey Gonzalez (ASU) 71-71-68 – 210 and Will Zalatoris (WF) 6972-69 – 210.

Other OSU scores: Zach Bauchou 74-70-67 – 211, Hayden Wood 72-75-72 – 219.

NCAA STANFORD REGIONAL AT STANFORD GC, STANFORD, CALIF. (PAR-70) MAY 15-17 Team scores: 1 (tie), Baylor 277-265-281 – 823 and Stanford 271-2789-274 – 823; 3, Pepperdine 2810274-280 – 835; 4, Oklahoma 280-277-280 – 837; 5, North Carolina 288-278-277 – 843; 5, North Carolina 288-278-277 – 843; 6, Georgia Tech 287-273-284 – 844; 7, North Florida 279-281-285 – 845; 8, Brigham Young 278-282-292 – 852; 9, Ohio State 288-2894-284 – 866; 10, Houston 281285-301 – 867; 11, UC Santa Barbara 296-290-288 – 874; 12, Sacramento State 300-2980-298 – 888; 13, South Dakota State 301-289-309 – 899.

Individual leaders: 1, Brad Dalke (OU) 65-64-69 – 198; 2, Cooper Dossey (Baylor) 68-66-67 – 201; 3, Maverick McNealy (Stanford) 65-67-70 – 202; 4 (tie), Brandon Wu (Stanford) 70-71-65 – 206, Franklin Huang (Stanford) 67-71-68 – 206 and Sahith Theegala (Pepp.) 71-68-67 – 206.

Other OU scores: Grant Hirschman 69-75-68 – 211, Blaine Hale 72-74-70 – 216, Max McGreevy 75-6774 – 216, Rylee Reinertson 74-72-73 – 219.

NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP AT TPC DEERE RUN, SILVIE, ILLINOIS (PAR-71) MAY 16-19 Team leaders (29 teams): 1, Grand View 296-315291-295 – 1,197; 2, Cardinal Stritch 289-306-294313 – 1,202; 3, Texas Wesleyan 306-306-290-303 – 1,205; 4 (tie), William Woods 297-315-292-316 – 1,220 and Dalton State 303-308-296-313 – 1,220; 6, Oklahoma City 306-312-290-314 – 1,222; 7, Wayland Baptist 295-321-299-314 – 1,229; 8 (tie), Johnson & Wales 293-315-303-319 – 1,230, Keiser 302-303-299-326 – 1,230 and William Jessup 310309-299-312 – 1,230.

Other scores: Oklahoma Wesleyan 320-309 – DNF. Individual leaders: 1, Rowan Lester (TW) 69-7272-74 – 287; 2, Ben Kendrick (Cumberlands) 75-69-70-76 – 290; 3, Mylee Pfingsten (GV) 7580-67-70 – 292; 4 (tie), Alec Dutkowski (Taylor) 73-77-70-74 – 294 and S.M. Lee (DS) 71-77-73-73 – 294.

Other scores: Rupert Kaminski (OCU) 71-77-7378 – 299, Matthew Cheung (OCU) 78-79-71-75 – 303, David Meyers (OCU) 74-79-76-80 – 309, Ewan Diston (OW) 77-77-77-84 – 315, Peri’Don Castille (OCU) 83-77-72-87 – 319, Garrison Mendoza (OCU) 84-85-74-81 – 324.

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AT GAILLARDIA CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) APRIL 24-25 Team scores: 1, Oklahoma City 287-298-289 – 974; 2, Wayland Baptist 290-299-301 – 890; 4, Mid-America Christian 328-322-310 – 960; 5, Southwestern Christian 326-322-318 – 966; 6, St. Gregory’s 323-338-325 – 986.

Individual leaders: 1, Rupert Kaminski (OCU) 6775-69 – 211; 2, Andrew Williamson (WB) 70-70-72 – 212; 3, Steven Diack (WB) 66-73-76 – 215; 4, Rowan Lester (TW) 70-74-73 – 217; 5, Matthew Cheung (OCU) 74-73-72 – 219; 6, David Meyers (OCU) 720-77-73—222; 7 (tie), Peri’Don Castille (OCU) 76-73-75 – 224 and David Ravetto (TW) 74-79-71 – 224.

Other scores: Morgen Pettigeww (St.G) 77-79-75 – 231, Garrison Mendoza (OCU) 74-82-76 – 232, Caleb Conn (MAC) 78-79-78 – 235.

THE MAXWELL AT DORNICK HILLS, ARDMORE (PAR-70) APRIL 14-15 Team leaders (14): 1, Oklahoma State 280-287-

282 – 849; 2 (tie), Oklahoma 283-288-284 – 855 and New Mexico 280-289-286 – 855; 4, Baylor 285-294-291 – 870; 5 (tie), Liberty 285-298-288 – 871 and UCLA 301-286-284 – 871; 7, North Texas 298-288-288 – 874; 8, UTSA 296-294-290 – 880.

Individual leaders: 1, Hidetoshi Yoshihara (UCLA) 73-66-70 – 209; 2, Viktor Hovland (OSU) 71-6970 – 210; 3, Matthew Perrine (Baylor) 68-72-71 – 211; 4 (tie), Grant Hirschman (OU) 69-73-70 – 212 and Andrei Bevins (NM) 76-68-68 – 212; 6 (tie), Rylee Reinertson (OU) 71-69-73 – 213, Tyson Reeder (OSU) 70-72-71 – 213, Zach Bauchou (OSU) 68-74-71 – 213 and Kieran Vincent (Liberty) 67-75-71 – 213; 10 (tie), Brad Dalke (OU) 70-74-70 – 214, Nick Heinen (OSU) 72-68-74 – 214, Zachary Olsen (OSU) 72-70-72 – 214 and Sean Carlon (NM) 66-76-72 – 214.

Other scores: Hayden Wood (OSU) 74-74-69 – 217, Riley Casey (OU) 76-70-71 – 217, Blaine Hale (OU) 73-72-73 – 218.

WOMEN NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP AT PGA NATIONAL G,C WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (PAR-72) MAY 23-26 Team leaders (30 teams): 1, Oklahoma City 308312-305 – 925; 2, Embry-Riddle 316-313-304 – 933; 3, USC Beaufort 316-307-311 – 934; 4, Dalton State 315-316-308 – 939; 5, Keiser 323-326-298 – 947; 6, British Columbia 318-318-313 – 949; 7, SCAD-Savannah 320-325-307 – 952; 8 (tie), William Woods 323-314-319 – 956 and Southeastern (Fla.) 319-328-309 – 956; 10, Texas Wesleyan 320-321-319 – 960; 11, William Carey 317-315-335 --- 967; 12, Cumberlands 331-321-323 – 975. Others -- Oklahoma Wesleyan 357-346 – DNF. Individual leaders: 1, Courtney Dye (Ind. Tech) 72-79-71 – 222; 2, Jessica Williams (E-R) 78-72-73 – 223; 3, Kaitlyn Riley (Cumberlands) 77-73-74 – 224; 4, Hannah Sager (Faulkner) 77-77-72 – 226; 5, Tia Teiniketo (DS) 75-75-78 – 228; 6 (tie), Anna Mikish (OCU) 76-76-77 – 229, Courtney Lowery (Point) 75-83-71 – 229 and Winnie Hyun (UBC) 75-79-75 – 229; 9, Rebecca Bostrom (SEU) 7684-70 – 230; 10, Caroline Griffin (DS) 78-81-72 – 231; 11 (tie), Savannah Moody (OCU) 76-78-78 – 232, Melissa Eldredge (OCU) 78-79-75 – 232 and Kimberly Nelson (Grand View) 78-75-79 – 232.

Other OCU scores: Caroline Goodin 78-86-75 – 239, Kailey Campbell 82-79-79 – 240.

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AT GAILLARDIA CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) APRIL 24-25 Team scores: 1, Okla. City 306-303 – 609; 2, Texas Wesleyan 317-307 – 624; 3, St. Thomas 346-336 – 682; 4, Southwestern Christian 352-332 – 684; 5, St. Gregory’s 371-341 – 712; 6, Houston-Victoria 381-353 – 734; DNF – Southwest (N.M.) Indiviudual leaders: 1, Alex Schies ()TW) 76-73 – 149; 2, Anna Miklish (OCU) 77-73 – 150; 3 (tie), Caroline Goodin (OCU) 76-75 – 151 and Melissa Eldredge (OCU) 77-74 – 151; 5, Raegan Barnes (OCU) 78-74 – 152; 6 (tie), Kailey Campbell (OCU) 75-79 – 154, Savannah Moody (OCU) 78-76 – 154 and Natalie Igalde (WB) 78-76 – 154.

79 – 225, Olivia Jackson (TU) 79-730-75 – 227, J OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION SPRING FOUR-BALL AT TWIN HILLS G&CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) MAY 15-16 1, Scott Kedy/Heath Myers 61-66 – 127; 2, Charlie Crouse/Bill Bishop Jr. 66-64 – 130; 3, Bryce Newell/Scott Newell 67-66 – 133; 4, Jeff Coffman/Brian Birchell 68-66 – 134; 5 (tie), Michael Hughett/ Erik Haworth 67-68 – 135 and Matthew Rison/ Dillon Jordan 66-69 – 135; 7, Ryan Aduddell/Scott Chalis 65-72 – 137.

SENIOR SPRING FOUR-BALL AT TWIN HILLS G&CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) MAY 15-16 1, Jeff Oakes/Mickey Tettleton 66-69 – 135; 2, Michael Alsup/Ken Kee 66-70 – 136; 3, Cliff Merritt/Tim McFarland 67-70 – 137; 4 (tie), Shawn Barker/Brent Taylor 70-68 – 138, Jeff Smith/Jon Valuck 69-69 – 138 and Gary Davis/Steve Chapman 67-71—138; 7, Bruce Maddux/Jim Roberts 680-71 – 139.

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SCH E DU L E S & R E SU LTS : More at w w w.gol fok la homa.org GOLF INC (OKLA. CITY) BIG SIX AT EARLYWINE PARK GC (PAR-72) Championship flight 1, Scott Newell/Bryce Newell 65-63 – 128; 2, Blake Nelson/Greg Rushing 70-64 – 134; 3, Jeff Coffman/Brian Birchell 68-66 – 134; 4, Rich Brown/ Larry Mitchell 71-64 – 135.

First flight 1, Kirk Wright/Verne Bryant 72-71 – 143; 2, Darrell Evans/Glen Hoecker 73-72 – 145; 3, Robert Strother/Robert E. Strother 72-75 – 147.

(East) def. Luke Morgan/Tanner Harris (West) 3 and 1.

Harrison Gearhart/Alec Dominic (East) def.

Shane Herlihy/Cale Hilbert (West) 2 and 1.

Adeline Norton/Maddi Kamas (West) def.

Natalie Gough/Jenni Roller (East) 1 up. Alesia Gonzales/Mika Ramos (East) halved Felicity Wittenberg/Lilly Whitley (West). Raychel Nelke/Shelby Phillips (East) def. Hannah Torres/Megan Brown (West) 6 and 5.

TULSA GOLF ASSOCIATION FOUR-BALL MATCH PLAY AT LAFORTUNE PARK GC MAY 20-21 Championship flight Quarterfinals: Mike Koljack/Austin Quinten bye; Ed Cohlmia/Richard Hunt def. Mike Donley/Mark Robinson 2 and 1; Jason Ohman/Matt Willingham def. Jerry Nick/Jim Ingram 2 and 1; Ross Novak/ Jeremiah Swezey def. Lee Inman/Terry Trimble 1-up (19) Semifinals: Koljack/Quinten def. Novak/Swezey 4 and 3; Cohlmia/Hunt def. Ohman/Willingham 5 and 3.

Final: Koljack/Quinten def. Cohlmia/Hunt 4 and 3.

A flight Semifinals: Mike Fenner/Ken MacLeod def. Mike Phelps/Todd Rollins 1-up; Brian Bennefeld/John Human def. Mark Hight/Ron Humphries 3 and 2.

Final: Bennefeld/Human def. Fenner/MacLeod 2 and 1.

B flight Final: John Blackmon/Kurt Enkelmann def. John Holt/Monty Klepper 1-up (19).

Monday, May 29, 2017 Monday AM: Singles Matt Braley (East) halved William McDonald (West); Carson Griggs (East) def. Wesley Sachs (West) 3 and 2; Jared Strathe (East) win by default Blake Mittasch (West); Trent Lutze (West) def. James Roller (East) 2 and 1; Cooper Wilguess (West) def. Shad Werhli (East) 5 and 3.

Shayne Patel (West) def. Daniel Reed (East) 1 up.Tristan Florence (West) def. Logan Brooks (East) 2 and 1; Carson Tewell (West) def. Isaac Bullen (East) 6 and 5, luke Morgan (West) def. Jack Glenn (East) 4 and 3; Tanner Harris (West) def. Max Roberts (East) 3 and 2. Harrison Gearhart (East) def. Shane Herlihy (West) 4 and 3.

Alec Dominic (East) def. Cale Hilbert (West) 7 and 5;Natalie Gough (East) def. Adeline Norton (West) 1 up; Jenny Roller (East) def. Maddi Kamas (West) 3 and 2; Alesia Gonzales (East) def. Felicity Wittenberg (West) 4 and 3; Mika Ramos (East) def. Lilly Whitley (West) 3 and 1.

Raychel Nelke (East) def. Hannah Torres (West) 9 and 7; Megan Brown (West) def.

Shelby Phillips (East) 4 and 2.

TWO-MAN CHALLENGE AT SOUTH LAKES GC APRIL 22-23

A flight 1, Austin Hannah/Tyler Sullivan 96; 2, Richard Hunt/Tyler Hunt 99; 3, Mike Alsup/Kenn Kee 99; 4 (tie), Steve Hughes/Shawn Kitchen and Tyke Lawson/Ryan Rainer 102.

B flight 1, Jeff Enkelmann/Brad Goodman 107; 2, Bryan Lunger/Tim Tiger 107; 3, Charlie Black/John Anderson 107; 4, Mark Hight/Ron Humphries 107.

C flight 1, Joe Boydston/Jim Lowell 111; 2, John Blackmon/Mike Blackmon 112; 3, Ed Heffern/Pat Trowbridge 112.

2017 OKLAHOMA JUNIOR CUP MATCHES SHAWNEE COUNTRY CLUB SHAWNEE OK MAY 28-29 2017 EAST 20 WEST 16 Sunday: AM Fourball Matches Matt Braley/Carson Griggs (East) def. William McDonald/Wesley Sachs (West) 6 and 4; Blake Mittasch/Trent Lutze (West) def. Jared Strathe/ James Roller (East) 1 up, Shad Werhli/Daniel Reed (East) def. Cooper Wilguess/Shayne Patel (West) 1 up. Logan Brooks/Isaac Bullen (East) def. Tristan Florence/Carson Tewell (West) 3 and 1. Luke Morgan/Tanner Harris (West) def.

Jack Glenn/Max Roberts (East) 1 up. Harrison Gearhart/Alec Dominic (East) def. Shane Herlihy/Cale Hilbert (West) 3 and 2. Natalie Gough/Jenni Roller (East) def. Adeline Norton/ Maddi Kamas (West) 5 and 3. Felicity Wittenberg/Lilly Whitley (West) def. Alesia Gonzales/ Mika Ramos (East) 3 and 1. Hannah Torres/Megan Brown (West) def. Raychel Nelke/Shelby Phillips (East) 5 and 3.

Fourball Points East 5 vs West 4 Sunday: PM Alternate Shot Matt Braley/Carson Griggs (East) def. William McDonald/Wesley Sachs (West) 2 and 1.

Jared Strathe/James Roller (East) def. Blake Mittasch/Trent Lutze (West) 2 and 1. Cooper Wilguess/Shayne Patel (West) def. Shad Werhli/Daniel Reed (East) 5 and 4. Tristan Florence/ Carson Tewell (West) def. Logan Brooks/Isaac Bullen (East) 2 up. Jack Glenn/Max Roberts

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Alternate Shot Points East 5.5 vs West 3.5

MAY 8-9 CLASS 6A AT THE GOLF CLUB OF EDMOND (PAR-72) Team leaders (12 teams): 1, Edmond North 282284-290 – 856; 2, Owasso 288-289-292 – 869; 3, Edmond Memorial 291-291-298 – 880; 4, Edmond Deer Creek 295-304-307 – 906; 5, Jenks 317-300-300 – 917; 6, Broken Arrow 324-300308 – 932; 7, Choctaw 314-312-39 – 945.

Individual leaders: 1, Austin Eckroat (EN) 6668-70 – 204; 2, Carson Griggs (SS) 67-761-68 – 206; 3, Brock Polhill (EN) 69-68-74 – 211; 4, Jared Strathe (O) 68-73-71 – 212; 5, Shayne Patel (EM) 69-72-72 – 213; 6, Jack Glenn (Stillwater) 71-74-72 – 217; 7, Austin Enzbrenner (O) 73-69-76 – 217.

CLASS 5A AT DUNCAN G&TC (PAR-71) Team leaders (12): 1, Bishop Kelley 311-299306 – 916; 2, McGuinness 313-318-0314 – 945; 3, Guthrie 316-314-325 – 955; 4, Guymon 321311-326 – 958; 5, Piedmond 324-330-313 – 967; 6, Duncan 328-326-326 – 980; 7, Shawnee 338-341-329 – 1,008.

Individual leaders: 1, Dustin Hasley (Piedmont) 71-73-69 – 2156; 2, Luke Morgan (Guthrie) 71-75-74 – 220; 3, Jax Johnson (Tahlequah) 75-75-72 – 222; 4 (tie), Matt Edgelier (BK) 7671-76 – 223 and Nick O’Donnell (McG) 75-76-72 – 223; 6, David Woodruff (BK) 74-75-75 – 224; 7, Conner Kauffman (Guymon) 76-74-78 – 228.

CLASS 4A AT LAKE HEFNER GC (NORTH), OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Heritage Hall 282-289-296 – 867; 2, Ada 303-318-291 – 912; 3, Poteau 296307-310 – 913; 4, Elk City 306-300-315 – 921; 5, Elgin 316-316-309 – 941; 6, Newcastle 304-316 -322 – 942; 7 (tie), Cascia Hall 310-317-319 – 946 and Metro Christian 326-310-310 – 946.

Individual leaders: 1, Dalton Daniel (Newcastle) 68-65-67 – 200; 2, William McDonald (HH) 7169-71 – 211; 3 (tie), Matt Braley (CH) 71-72-69 – 212 and Brice Terry (Checotah) 71-70-71 – 212; 5, Brodey Claborn (Bethany) 69-77-68 – 214; 6 (tie), VJ Bhupathiraju (HH) 67-74-74 – 215 and Ryan Ward (Poteau) 71-71-73 – 215.

CLASS 3A AT LINCOLN PARK GC (WEST), OKLA. CITY (PAR-70) Team leaders (12): 1, Okla. Christian School 294284-299 – 868; 2, Plainview 307-291-2888 – 886; 3, Holland Hall 303-300-304 – 907; 4, Christian Heritage 302-304-0312 – 918; 5, Kingston 302-310320 – 932; 6, Kingfisher 325-324-317 – 966.

Individual leaders: 1, Logan McCalister (CH) 62-6666 – 194; 2, Jaxson Dowell (OCS) 68-68-71 – 207; 3, Jayden Jackson (Idabel) 71-74-68 – 213; 4, Said Powers (OCS) 71-68-76 -- 215; 6, Carson Tewell (OCS) 77-74-70 – 221.

CLASS 2A AT CIMARRON TRAILS GC, PERKINS (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Laverne 347-326-327 – 1,000; 2, Regent Prep 346-329-335 – 1,010; 3, Crossings Christian 343-337-347 – 1,027; 4, Walters 337-357341 – 1,035; 5, Washington 359-342-344 – 1,045.

Individual leaders: 1, Kolton Baber (Big Pasture) 7271-71 – 214; 2, JP Roller (RP) 76-72-71 – 219; 3, Jake Bay (Shattuck) 79-76-69 – 224; 4 (tie), Connor Boydston (BP) 81-73-72 – 226 and Heston Brown (Cordell) 82-75-69 – 226.

GIRLS MAY 3-4 CLASS 6A AT PONCA CITY CC (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Owasso 339-344 – 683; 2, Edmond North 349-355 – 704; 3, Jenks 350-366 – 716; 4, Union 356-363 – 719; 5, Bartlesville 354-372 – 726; 6, Edmond Deer Creek 359-373 – 732; 7 (tie), Bixby 371-365 – 736 and Norman North 36868 – 736.

CLASS 5A AT QUAIL CREEK CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Duncan 345-349 – 694 (won playoff); 2, Collinsville 339-355 – 694; 3, Durant 357-356 – 713; 4, Coweta 367-348 – 715; 5, McGuinness 3620356 – 718; 6, Carl Albert 375-375 – 750; 7, Ardmore 384-386 – 770.

Individual leaders: 1, Mika Ramos (Bishop Kelley) 74-75 – 149; 2, Nina Lee (Collinsville) 78-76 – 154; 3, Madison O’Dell (Collinsville) 77-79 – 156; 4, Olivia Schmidt (McGuinness) 86-77 – 163; 5, Sam Peters (Ardmore) 85-80 – 165; 6, Vanessa Moore (Duncan) 78-88 – 166; 7, Alexis Dake (Claremore) 88-81 – 169.

CLASS 4A AT LAKE HEFNER GC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Plainview 323-311 – 634; 2, Hilldale 329-328 – 657; 3, Elk City 338-336 – 674; 4, Fort Gibson 353-351 – 704; 5, Grove 365-344 – 709; 6, Newcastle 373-351 – 724; 7, Pauls Valley 380-368 – 748.

Individual leaders: 1, Katie Finley (Plainview) 80-71 – 151; 2, Shelby Phillips (FG) 77-=79 – 156; 3, Jordan Clayborn (Hilldale) 78-79 – 157; 4 (tie), Kenzie Kirkhart (Hilldale) 76-82 – 158 and Addie Norton (Plainview) 79-79 – 158; 6, Chloe Black (Newcastle) 80-79 –159; 7, Kelcee Millican (Elk City) 79-80 – 159.

CLASS 3A AT CHEROKEE SPRINGS, TAHLEQUAH (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Marlow 347-369 – 716 (won playoff); 2, Purcell 3650-351 – 716; 3, Lone Grove 366-380 – 746; 4, Comanche 383-390 – 773; 5, Henryetta 400-381 – 781; 6, Keys 401-387 – 788.

Individual leaders: 1, Taylor Towers (Rejoice Christian) 76-765 – 151; 2, ShaeBug Scarberry ((Purcell) 77-78 – 155; 3, McKenzie McCoy (Beggs) 76-81 – 157; 4, Josie Patterson (Chandler) 78-80 – 158; 5, Journey Perdue (Heavener) 83-84 – 167; 6 (tie), Jade McCundy (Purcell) 87-81 – 168 and Breanna Shaw (Idabel) 77-91 – 168.

CLASS 2A AT AQUA CANYON, GUTHRIE (PAR-72) Team leaders (12): 1, Mooreland 385-279 – 764; 2, Tishomingo 380-389 – 769; 3, Turner 402-394 – 796; 4, Washington 400-399 – 799; 5, Pawnee 403-405 – 808.

Individual leaders: 1, Megan Brown (Cordell) 76-77 – 153; 2, Brooklyn Bartling (Velma-Alma) 84-79 – 163; 3, Tracy McGill (Turner) 84-81 – 165; 4, Makenna Rose (Goodwell) 85-81 – 166; 5,Zhanna Riesen (Lincoln Christian) 78-91 – 169.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • JUNE/JULY 2017

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