2020 Golf Oklahoma October|November

Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association

The games you love, the flavors you crave and the music that made you are back and better than ever. We’ve added new health and safety guidelines to make sure you enjoy the safest, most comfortable experience possible. When you’re ready, the stage is set for your next hit.

Know your limits. Gambling problem? Call 800.522.4700.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OC T/NOV 2020

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 5

10 The Goods Equipment sales boom in pandemic. Also, there’s always time for a good cigar on the porch after.

14 Chip Shots Bryson DeChambeau and Moe Norman, on the same plane. Sydney Youngblood wins Everett Dobson Award.

Features 18

Saying goodbye to Jerry Cozby and Buddy Phillips

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Payne’s Valley by Tiger Woods causes stir in the Ozarks

30

Masters in November? Take our Cowboy Quiz to get ready

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Good times ahead for The Canyons at Blackjack Ridge in Sand Springs and Heritage Hills in Claremore

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In the world of golf equipment sales, Mickey Botkin has a devoted following

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Charlie Saxon on the verge of Korn Ferry Tour success

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Competition 40

36 16

OU, OSU among the few collegiate teams playing golf this fall

Departments 6 8 8 9 41 42 43 44

Letter from the Publisher OGA ED Mark Felder WOGA ED Susan Ferguson Rules, Bob Phelps Instruction: Pat McTigue Instruction: Ryan Rody Fitness: Clint Howard Schedules and results

On the cover Tiger Woods provides dramatic opening for Payne’s Valley

Support junior golf by contributing to the OGA Foundation Call 405-848-0042 for more information 4

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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October/November 2020 FROM THE PUBLISHER KEN M AC LEOD

What a trip 2020 was The golf industry is one of the few that is not begging for 2020 to end, at least in some segments.

Record rounds at public and private courses and in equipment sales combined with a surge in interest in playing and lessons from juniors to seniors have the industry sitting on an historical opportunity to reverse decades of decline.

Not that the COVID-19 related boom in interest in a safe, socially distant outdoor sport hasn’t come without challenges and even disasters. High school and collegiate teams lost their spring seasons and the opportunity for championships. Collegiate seniors, granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, returned to school en masse but most colleges have lost their fall seasons as well. Only about 60 of 300 Division I teams will play this fall.

The Big 12 is playing a limited fall slate, but a return to campus and the testing protocols in place have proven problematic. Both the Oklahoma and Oklahoma State men’s teams have had numerous players either contract the virus, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans, or miss significant playing time due to contact tracing and quarantine. It was easier to compete in summer events when one could show up and play, stay outside mostly and return to a single hotel room or even home at night rather than to apartments with other students, all of whom are trying their best to be safe, but are in a campus environment.

Except for NAIA schools, few other Oklahoma colleges are playing this fall.

Most hope to resume this spring, as do Oklahoma high schools. Juniors eager to play have created record demand for spots in the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour events. But again, it’s hard to predict what the landscape will be for school teams by February and if there’s one thing we’ve learned during this pandemic is that predictions are largely worthless.

For the industry, the challenge will be

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keeping many of the newcomers and lapsed golfers who have taken the sport up again. It’s a shame there are not more facilities like the lighted par-3 course at LaFortune Park in Tulsa. Every night until nearly 11 it has been packed with young and old, a summer date night that is fun and relatively inexpensive at from $14 to $16.

Most of the courses that shut down for a month or more have more than made up for the rounds lost. Private courses that depend on food and beverage sales, not just from daily dining but from weddings, banquets, meetings, etc., have not seen that side of their business return to normal, but memberships are strong. Until there is a safe and effective vaccine and most Americans have taken it, that side of the business is likely to continue to suffer. The travel industry has also suffered record losses. Some resorts have recouped their losses with increased local play, but the golf buddy trip remains on hold for many until there is a vaccine.

With the Kitchenaid Senior PGA Championship coming to Southern Hills in May, a looming question is when fans will be allowed at professional golf events. Perhaps with fans being allowed to attend major college and professional football games on a limited basis that will encourage the tours to figure out a way to safely allow a number of fans, but the fact it hasn’t happened yet is worrisome.

With the virus still spreading entering the fall and winter when folks are inside more and Oklahoma’s transmission rates sadly among the nation’s highest at this writing, there are contingency plans in place in the event that no fans are allowed. That would be a shame, but COVID-19 is not magically disappearing and it does adversely affect even young, strong college players.

Emily Miller, our 2020 OGA Junior Girls State Amateur Champion, a University of Central Oklahoma freshman and one

See PUBLISHER on page 15

Volume 10, Number 5 Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 102 Tulsa, OK 74136 918-280-0787

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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 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 Kyley Tetley, PGA Professional The Golf Studio 918-232-6564 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 2020 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.

#1 FA MI LY G OL F R ESO RT I N N O RTH AM ERICA

Courses by: COORE & CRENSHAW GARY PLAYER JACK NICKLAUS TIGER WOODS TOM FAZIO

877.246.2128 | BIGCEDAR.COM Pictured: Payne’s Valley by Tiger Woods

MARK FELDER

OGA Executive Director

FROM THE OGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Let’s remember steller play in 2020 As we prepare to push 2020 ton in 2006. out the door and welcome in 2021, let’s not Voegeli proved it was no fluke by takforget to note that from a golf and an OGA ing low amateur honors at The Oklahoma perspective, the year had its moments.

Open, which this year was won by AnCOVID-19 grabbed its share of the headlines and even some of our top junior players had to overcome bouts with the virus after college began in the fall. For the most part, however, golf courses proved a safe haven and the industry experienced a rebirth in rounds and interest like we haven’t seen in two decades.

Events on the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour and the OGA calendar filled up fast and we had some of our most competitive fields in years.

As mid-amateurs had the chance to get to the course more often, we Jamie Voegeli Kyle Hudelson learned that they can still play at elite levels. No one proved this more than drew Hudson of Fort Worth when Chase Jamie Voegeli, who knocked off talented Hanna of Lawrence, Kan., and Hayden incoming collegians Jaxon Dowell and Wood of Edmond came up just short after Charlie Jackson in the OGAState Ama- battling for the lead most of the afternoon. teur Championship’s semifinals and finals Kyle Hudelson repeated as champion at The Patriot in Owasso. He was the first this year in the Mid-Amateur Champimid-am to win the event since Alan Brat- onship at Quail Creek Golf & Country

SUSAN FERGUSON

President WOGA

Club. Dr. Jon Valuck, who spends most of his time saving lives at Oklahoma Heart Hospital, outdueled Mike Hughett to win the OGA Senior Amateur Championship at Belmar Country Club while Todd Raffensberger won the Senior Stroke Play at Quail Creek.

The OGA Stroke Play Champion this summer was Oklahoma State’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, holding off JP Roller and others at The Territory in Duncan. Our junior champions were Roller and Emily Miller, two of our OGA scholarship winners who are now at Texas Tech and the University of Central Oklahoma, respectively. Winning the OGA Junior’s stroke play were Andrew Goodman of Norman and Maddi Kamas of Kingfisher.

We’re pleased to announce that the OGA Match Play Championship will move to the outstanding Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow next July.

We hope to see you there and at all of our other events. Check out okgolf.org for the complete 2021 calendar coming soon.

WOMEN’S OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION

State Amateur moves to Gaillardia I n spite of the uncertainties and chal- annual Stableford Partnership at Lincoln Four Ball Partnership will again be held lenges presented by the COVID-19 pan- Park West. Our Senior Women’s Champi- at Shangri-La on Aug. 16-17. Sites and demic, WOGA moved forward with our onship will be May 17-18 at Tulsa Coun- dates have not been secured yet for our mission of promoting and sup71st Junior Girls Championporting women’s and junior ship and ninth annual Fundgirls golf in Oklahoma. raiser, as well as our WOGA Participation in all of our Cup. Please visit our website tournaments was near 100 at woga.golfgenius.com for all percent. A record amount of tournament information and money was raised at our Juregistration. nior Girls Fundraiser. Our It’s been an honor serving State Amateur and Junior Girls as WOGA’s president for the championships crowned new past three years. Our succhampions for 2020. Our ancesses have been realized nual Four Ball Partnership and through the work of a very WOGA Cup provided lots of dedicated, hard working fun for all participants. It was and talented group of voluna great season! teers who serve on our Board And, thanks to all of you 2020 WOGA CUP winners, left to right, Holly Raczkowski, and from those who always who continued to support Susie Ellegard, Karen Wynn and Bonnie Thomas. assist us with our tournaWOGA through your tournaments. After receiving so ment participation, volunteerism and gifts try Club. The Stroke Play/MidAm tour- much from golf for so many years, it’s to our junior girls golf programs. nament will be June 7-8 at The Club at a great feeling to be able to give back to We are happy to announce our tourna- Indian Springs. Our 103rd Women’s State this game we love. ment schedule for 2021.

Amateur Championship is scheduled July I look forward to seeing you next season Our season starts April 26-27 with the 19-22 at Gaillardia Country Club and the on the golf course!

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

BOB PHELPS

OGA Rules Director

2020 Rules recap For my last article of the season, I thought it would be helpful to review a few actual situations related to my previous articles.

In the April-May issue, we discussed some of the differences between match play and stroke play. In stroke play, Rule 20.1 allows a player to play two balls when there is doubt as to the proper procedure and to get a later ruling. This is common in many OGA and OJGT events where the player is not sure how to proceed.

However, it is important to know a couple of key points in order to protect yourself when applying this rule. First, the player must indicate which ball the player would like to score with and must make this known to his or her marker before taking any further action. Second, if a player decides to play a second ball, the player must report this situation to the rules committee before returning their scorecard. And the consequences for not doing so are severe – the player is disqualified.

For many years, reporting a second ball to the committee was not required if the same score was made with both balls, but this is not the case anymore.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

In the June-July issue, we discussed what happens when a player’s ball in play moves.

Did the ball really move? Who or what caused the ball to move? Is the ball replaced or played from its new location? Does the player get a penalty? A thorough understanding of Rule 9 will usually lead to the correct answer so let’s look at a couple of recent situations where this rule is applied.

Remember the exceptional pitch shot by Jon Rahm to save par at the Memorial where video later showed his ball moving while he was preparing to play the shot. Rahm, the other player and their caddies and the television broadcast crew were obviously not aware the ball moved until slow motion replay showed that the ball had indeed moved slightly. But was this movement detectable to the naked eye? In my opinion that is debatable.

The rules committee ultimately ruled that the movement was detectable to the naked eye and therefore Rahm had caused his ball to move, getting a two-shot penalty instead of one because the ball was not replaced. Fortunately for Rahm he held a four-shot lead at the time and went on to claim the championship. Another situation involving Rahm was

FROM THE OGA RULES DIRECTOR much simpler to rule on and was the result of a mental lapse. Rahm caused his ball to move on the putting green by deliberately lifting it without first marking its location. The oneshot penalty in this case was actually incurred under Rule 14.1 but is still a case of a ball in play that was moved by the player. Any time a ball at rest is moved, start with Rule 9.

Finally, we discussed “Local Rules” in the August-September issue and a recent incident involving Bryson DeChambeau highlights the importance of understanding the difference. After playing a tee shot during the PGA Championship, Bryson leaned on his driver while picking up his tee and the head broke off. Rule 4.1b(3) prohibits a player from replacing a lost or damaged club if the player started with 14 clubs. So why was Bryson allowed to replace the broken driver? Because the PGA of America implemented Model Local Rule G-9 which allows a club that was not damaged in anger to be replaced. Unfortunately, I’m sure there are many viewers who saw the incident who now think it is okay to replace a broken club during a round. Not so unless the Model Local Rule is implemented.

Feel free to send any rules of golf questions you may have to rphelps@okgolf.org and enjoy the offseason.

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OCT/NOV

THE

GOODS

Golf Surges Back

comments though was as the conversation closed, “It seems like golf has become the go-to sport.”

To a degree this was reflected by Brad Sliauter, head golf professional at Oklahoma City’s 36-hole Lake Hefner Golf Club that came back after the forced closure of several by ed travis was $80 million better than August last year weeks. He said compared with June and July and $43 million better than the previous Au- of 2019 the same months in 2020 showed good t had all the earmarks of a disaster for gust record set back in 2006. revenue gains in greens fees and cart fees but, the golf industry.

Due to the pandemic, buyers “We’re not seeing a huge bump in Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, golf changed the way they shopped.

9-hole versus 18-hole rounds.” The courses were told to close, their food and E-commerce experienced strong restaurant has not recovered to prebeverage operations turned out the lights growth and some analysts are sayshutdown numbers and, “Total faciland travel all but completely stopped. Equip- ing online transactions will keep ity revenue is down slightly due to ment manufacturers halted production, fur- expanding. our COVID restrictions in our F&B loughing some employees and telling others How long all this good news and [food and beverage] department deto work from home. increased number of players will spite rounds being up.”

Some thought whatever chance the golf continue is an open question. To Brad Sliauter To get an idea of how golf reindustry had of recovering from years of de- gauge the effects of reopening after Oklaho- tailers were handling the rebound, we clining participation and revenues ma golf courses had been closed for talked with Brad Bowen, owner of GolfUhad been shattered. four weeks and are now enjoying SA, and the Oklahoma City store Director Then we figured out golf was a a surge of players filling tee sheets, of Operations David Webb. solution, something to do during we talked with some the state’s Bowen acknowledged that not just in the crisis – an ideal interpersonal most knowledgeable insiders.

Oklahoma City, but at the GolfUSA out-ofway to spend leisure time. Since From Patrick Mcstate locations as well, “Business golf is outdoors, the potential for Crate, Director of has been exceptional this summer transmitting the infection is lessGolf at LaFortune Park and that’s after a strong 2019. It’s ened and as importantly the criGolf Course (Tulsa) the best since 2012.”

Pat McCrate teriafor social distancing set by and South Lakes Golf Asked if one part of the busihealth authorities can be easily met. Players Course (Jenks): “Both our faciliness was doing better than another, walk or ride alone in carts, leave flagsticks ties have exceeded last year, numBowen replied, “Our e-commerce in the cup, forsake bunker rakes and the ball bers we haven’t seen since the has done particularly well, and it is washer to reduce if not eliminate the pos- early 2000s. It’s across the board Brad Bowen double of last year. Probably the best sibility of picking up the virus. with 9- and 18-hole rounds.” we have ever had and was helped The new normal became “playing golf at McCrate also commented about the nuts by reopening of the equipment manufacturtwo-club lengths.” and bolts of his operations: “We still allow ers after being closed for so long.” He added, And it worked. Golf was quickly added single-rider carts and expected our cart reve- “Our online business and in store business by health experts to the short list of relative- nue to be down but the last three months it’s do a lot of custom made-to-order woods ly “safe” low-risk leisure activities. the best it’s ever been. There’s no charge for and iron sets which has been very helpful.”

The number of rounds nationally skyrock- a nonplaying riding passenger and that may We queried Webb about store operations, eted. According to the National Golf Founda- be the reason, plus of course there and he said at the top of their list tion, shutting down courses during the spring was a positive effect on our food was ensuring the safety of emmeant 20 million lost rounds, but over the and beverage sales. ployees and customers. “Social dissummer when clubs reopened, participation “Our driving range is through tancing in our store follows all the showed double-digit percentage increases. In the roof, busy all the while and safe protocols and Oklahoma City fact, the largest jump in 20 years. even club repair has increased, regulations,’’ Webb said. ‘’Everyone Summer also saw sales of golf equipment and we are even installing new wears a mask; surfaces are wiped surge with all categories showing increases grips on wooden-headed clubs down hourly as are grips and shafts that were just short of fantastic. Pent-up as people who have never played after they are used.”

David Webb demand from regular players plus those come to the course.”

He then told how GolfUSA returning to golf and people just taking up Wooden-headed clubs? Sounds like the stepped up for a major investment in the our sport pushed sales upwards dramati- 1950s. safety of customers and employees with cally. Sales of woods were up 68 percent in McCrate said, “Club, ball and accessory the “purchase of a very sophisticated air July compared with July 2019 and irons up sales are much higher, and we have never purification system that cleanses the store 93 percent and overall equipment grew a sold so many. We are a Titleist shop and air every hour.” hefty 53.4 percent. August 2020 compared sales of their Tour Soft, which is their lowerAfter the store had been closed, “In-store to a year ago showed gains of 31.9 percent priced ball are way up, but so are the top of sales are up this summer 30 percent and a for the industry, which represents retailers the line Pro V1s.” concern has been the struggling in the supmoving $331 million in golf hardgoods. This Perhaps the mostly telling of McCrate’s ply chain to get us product,” Webb said. He

Playing at two-club lengths

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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also related an interesting story that, not naming the company, “A big manufacturer has even been repurchasing drivers in parts of the county where the season is just about over and using them to fill orders where there is still play.”

Interesting to find club makers using that as a way to cope with the higher demand.

Coming back to GolfUSA, Webb said, “Our e-commerce has more than doubled this summer. As play again started up the big items were pushcarts and boxed sets purchased by new golfers and returning players, but now there is more of a mix of regular players. We sell a large volume of golf balls online while our ability to custom fit golfers for iron sets and metalwoods is a big factor for our instore sales.”

The picture is clear. The worldwide health crisis has moved golf into at least a temporary edge on many other activities.

Players in large numbers are back on Sooner State fairways and most gratifyingly they are joined by both new players and those returning to the game. Retailers are enjoying a boom of unprecedented proportions with equipment makers in some cases having problems keeping up with the volume.

Casa Bella by Sindicato by laramie navrath

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These two blends have become a staple in many shops around the country. The success of the Casa Bella & Maduro blends paved the way for Sindicato to craft a bold, budget friendly Casa Bella Nicaraguan Puro. With all the tobacco coming from Nicaragua you can expect a more intense smoking experience. The cigar is medium in body and strength with notes of spices, molasses and nuts. These cigars are often paired with craft beer, fine whiskies and 18 holes.

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www.ztcigars.com (800) 340-3007 GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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OCT/NOV

The

BOOKSHELF

On the ground with Math and Memory by tom bedell

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onathan Cummings doesn’t beat around the bush in introducing his treatise on the ranking of golf courses, “The Rating Game” (Post Hill Press, $28): “Humans love to compare.

We have always done it, and do it all the time — at work, at play, and even in the locker room. The other thing humans love to do is make lists. Put those two powerful impulses together, and you have the modern mania for rankings.”

This is all too obvious in the briefest of glances at the flood of articles that currently come our way online — The Best Five Things, 10 Places You Must Visit, Seven Foods to Avoid, Eight Best Hotels in….

Golf should be different? As soon as 1 MAB-AP-Ad-Half-Page-Bleed.pdf Cummings introduces the inevitability of golf course rankings he delves into their history, a fascinating chapter that uncovers a

1907 survey of golf luminaries naming their favorite British courses. (Hang on to your golf cap—the Old Course at St. Andrews came in first.)

Cummings then takes a deep dive into how the ranking methodologies of the Big Three magazines work — GOLF, Golf Digest and Golfweek—and how they’ve evolved over time since Digest’s first ”America’s 200 Toughest Courses” was published in 1966.

The author knows whereof he speaks, having spent a 37year career as a research test and measurement mechanical engineer. But he’s also a golf nut with over 1,600 courses in 35 countries on his life list, with long experience on several ratings panels.

Cummings also managed to talk Tom Doak into writing an introduction which cleverly talks11:11 aboutAMthe value of course rat3/19/19 ings while simultaneously decrying them: “I hope Jon’s book will cause you to trust your opinion more, and magazine rankings a little

less.”

As well it might, as Cummings goes on to show in several chapters how difficult a thing it is to accurately measure something that is ultimately subjective. He does this in several chapters that I found read better after my morning coffee than after my evening beers.

Ratings geeks and math freaks should eat these chapters up, replete as they are with charts and statistical theories. I barely survived, though I have to say Cummings has a spare and clean writing style, with a touch of humor that saw me through to the later chapters, which ponder the many variables that actually go into evaluating the quality of a golf course.

I’ve often wondered why no one ever asked me to become a course rater; after all, I’ve played hundreds of courses all over the world, from Iceland to Australia, Dubai to the Dominican Republic. Maybe because I’ve never lowered my handicap below 14,

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

Some things we like to do before and after the round maybe because I just never really went after it. I certainly became less enthused after the magazines, as Cummings reports, decided to monetize the systems, and began assessing fees and annual dues to raters.

Cummings doesn’t wander into any potential dark side of the ratings game — whether positive ratings can be bought, say, or a position on a ratings panel secured through sexual favors. (Both common enough gossip.)

He only goes so far as to say all the current systems have some inherent flaws, and suggests a new system based on the Schulze method, a voting theory created by German physicist Markus Schulze. It’s a little complicated. But plausible.

I think.

MEMORY BANKS Luke Reese carries a 3 handicap and is a course rater for GOLF magazine. But there was a time when he could barely swing a club and, when he eventually reached a green, put on undignified putting displays.

Reese, now out of Chicago, moved to Germany in his early 30s and eventually be-

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

came the head of European sales for Wilson Sporting Goods, particularly for tennis and golf, where he first met the Scotsman, Allan Bond, who was the manager of UK sales.

Bondy, as he was known to most, was 20 years senior to his boss, whom he ever after referred to, at least out on links courses, as, “...young Mr. Reese.” Bondy, a passionate golfer, took Reese under his wing as far as the sport was concerned, offering guidance and a healthy portfolio of classic golf literature to work through.

After some months of practice Reese showed Bondy his swing. The critique: “As a golfer, you’d make a fine salesman.”

That was the start of a decadelong, May-December golf bromance between the two, marked by endless hard-fought match-play contests between the two, played over some of the greatest courses in Scotland, Ireland and England.

On the opening tee of every match, Bondy would stick his peg in the ground and say, “Here’s one for the memory banks,” and Reese has taken that as the title for a loving tribute to his friend: “One for the Memory Banks” (No. 9 Pub-

lishing House, $27.50, available via Amazon or www.thememorybanks.com).

The book is a collection of reminiscences from their various matches over the years, which may sound like a dreary recipe. It’s decidedly not. What with the courses mentioned and the Scottish and Irish characters involved (Reese and Bondy were sometimes teammates instead of opponents, including a memorable match against Padraig Harrington at Royal Dublin), the book is brimming with ripe anecdotes, often seasoned with perhaps more than a few wee drams, and matches of seemingly no importance to anyone but the participants nonetheless brought to zestful life.

There’s a poignant ending to the book, that most will suspect before the pages run out.

And I couldn’t help but think that I enjoyed the book more because I had played at many of the courses that Reese describes. But I don’t think it’s a prerequisite for other readers’ pleasure in this tour of some of the finest overseas links courses. Reese doesn’t rate them here, but he sorely whets one’s appetite.

Tom Bedell would be happy to withdraw some of his latest rounds from the memory bank; they don’t rate highly.

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CHIP SHOTS

OCT/NOV

The Single Plane Swing MOE NORMAN AND BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

Force = Mass x Acceleration increasing his ability to create rotational speed.

In fact, Bryson was just under 200 ryson DeChambeau didn’t pounds at the beginning of the just win the U.S. Open year and he now weighs in at last month at Winged almost 240. Why did he do Foot, he defied logic in many this? It wasn’t just coinciways. DeChambeau joined dence, as Bryson studies and Jack Nicklaus and Tiger researches everything and Woods as the only golfers why he has the nickname, to win the NCAA Individual “The Mad Scientist.”

Championship, U.S. Amateur It all started 20-plus years ago and U.S. Open in a career. with Tiger, and now golf has transiTim Graves The one area that comes to most tioned into a power game. The last of our minds is how far he hits the golf ball. five U.S. Open winners – including Brooks As Bryson calls it, “the bomb and gouge Koepka (twice), Dustin Johnson and Gary mentality.” He has taken his game to new Woodland – have been long drivers of the heights by adding weight to his body and golf ball. However, Bryson’s distance is exby tim graves and chandler rusk master instructors , graves golf

B

treme, and Rory McIlroy attested to this earlier this year at Colonial when he said, “He hit one into the wind on 11. I hit a really good one and probably hit it like 315, 320. DeChambeau must have flew my ball by 40 yards. He hit it like 370, 375 into the wind. It was crazy. It’s unbelievable.”

And Rory is one of the longest and most accurate drivers of the golf ball in the past decade.

What is probably the most fascinating part of all of this is that when most golfers add length, they tend to always lose accuracy. Think of the World Long Drive hitters, out of eight shots, how many of them actually land in the 55- to 60-yard-wide grid? Maybe one or two. On the PGA Tour, the fairways average 25-to-30 yards wide.

On left you can see how Bryson and Moe both begin with the club shaft aligned with the middle of the back.

This is also where impact is. When Bryson talks about starting and impacting on the same plane – this is the definition of Single Plane. To make the golf swing efficient, there is not a simpler way than starting the club shaft on the same plane that it will make impact.

Depicted left is impact of Bryson and Moe. At impact, the club shaft has returned to the same point in which it began. The club shaft directly in line with the middle of the back. This is no different than a child picking up a stick and trying to hit a rock that is on the ground.

A child will point their arms in the direction of the object and make a straight-line motion to hit the object. The simplest way.

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

In 2019, Bryson averaged 299.4 off the tee and his tee shot accuracy was 58.3 percent. This year, Bryson has averaged 321.2 off the tee and now hits 60.4 percent of the fairways. Another great stat is that in 2019, his Strokes Gained off the Tee was .420 and this year he has gained 1.009 Strokes on the field. With these stats, Bryson is already one shot ahead of the field each round he plays – talk about having an advantage.

How can he hit it farther now and be more accurate off the tee? The only solution to this is how he does it – the science and biomechanics behind it. With Bryson having a scientific/physics mind, he will admit that ``The Golfing Machine’’ book changed his life, and this is what he said about it: “That’s where my swing came from.

That’s where I thought of my methods, and everything I’ve worked so hard on in developing my swing. My hands look

like they’re high at address, but I just want them to be in the same position they’ll be in at impact. I don’t want my hands starting low at the beginning of my swing and then getting high at impact. I just want to start them high and then return to that position. It takes a little time at first, but once you get used to it, it’s the most efficient way to return the clubhead to the ball. Think about it this way: ‘If you were to design a machine to swing a golf club, how would that machine do it?’ You wouldn’t program the machine to have a bunch of excess movement. You’d build it so it’s simple and repeatable. That’s what my swing is.”

What’s interesting about Bryson’s findings is that what he is describing is exactly how the greatest ball striker of all-time swung the club – Moe Norman -- and what Graves Golf has taught for over 20 years – The Single Plane Swing. Let’s take a look:

PUBLISHER cont. from page 6 of the nicest young ladies you could meet, contracted the virus when she began classes this fall. She wrote on her Facebook page that even walking across the room was exhausting and that it felt like she had a textbook on her chest. Alarming studies reporting that some athletes show indications of swelling in the heart muscle even if they experience mild or no symptoms from the virus are troubling.

It’s been a remarkable year for the game.

Despite the lost opportunities for players and fans, the net gain in players and rounds could potentially benefit the game for years to come. And we still have The Masters coming up in November and then again in April, an event that usually spurs huge interest.

Play golf, stay safe and be sure to follow us daily on www.golfokalhoma.org and on Facebook and Twitter. There will be no shortage of golf news this fall and winter, I can predict that.

Bryson not only points the club and arms directly at the ball at address, he also positions the back of the lead hand, which is aligned with the club face, at the target. Aligning the club face with the back of the lead hand and pointing the back of the hand at the target at impact – this is what Moe called the “Rod” position.

The alignment of the club face, club shaft, lead hand, lead arm, and lead shoulder. This is the same position the “Rod” will return at impact.

Depicted left is impact of Bryson and Moe. At impact, the club shaft has returned to the same point in which it began. The club shaft directly in line with the middle of the back. This is no different than a child picking up a stick and trying to hit a rock that is on the ground.

A child will point their arms in the direction of the object and make a straight-line motion to hit the object. The simplest way.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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Sydney Youngblood is 2020 Dobson Award recipient

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ydney Youngblood, a four-time in OU history.

Girls’ State High School ChamKevin Johnson, a senior instructor pion at Durant who overcame with Hank Haney who works with serious shoulder injuries Youngblood, said in a and surgery to star at the letter of recommenUniversity of Oklahoma, dation that Sydney is is the 2020 recipient of the uniquely deserving of Everett Dobson Award. the award.

Nominations for the award “The Everett Dobare submitted to the Oklason Award recoghoma Golf Hall of Fame nizes a graduate who annually and voted on by exemplifies strong board of directors. citizenship, sportsThe Everett Dobson manship and characAward recognizes an outter. As successful as standing male or female Sydney has been on Sydney Youngblood golfer graduating from an the course, I would Oklahoma college or university, specifical- say those three things mean as ly one who exemplifies strong citizenship, much if not more to her than the sportsmanship and character. The recipi- trophies. I am way more proud of ent is awarded $5,000. the young lady Sydney is “I’m deeply honored to rethan the golfer . . .” ceive this award and thank the The Everett Dobson board,” Youngblood said. “This Award is named for the will certainly help as I pursue Oklahoma City businessmy Masters and start my profesman, philanthropist and sional career.” avid golfer and champion Youngblood graduated from of the game who proOU in the spring and is now takvided the initial impetus ing graduate courses at Southeastand funding to start the ern Oklahoma State University in Everett Dobson Oklahoma Golf Hall of Durant with an eye toward becoming a col- Fame. The mission of the Oklalegiate coach while also testing the waters homa Golf Hall of Fame is to recof professional golf. She has been playing on ognize and honor those individuals the Women’s All Pro Tour and had planned who through their achievements, to help coach the SEOSU team as a volun- character, spirit or leadership have teer assistant but there is no fall schedule demonstrated sustained excellence due to the pandemic. in competition or contributed in othThe next induction class will be in 2021 in Youngblood injured her shoulder as a er ways to the growth, promotion, legacy, Oklahoma City. freshman and it was a difficult 18-month history or traditions of golf in Oklahoma.

Youngblood will receive the award recovery process. She at the 2020 Oklahoma came back to play well Golf Hall of Fame PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE AWARD ARE as a redshirt sophoClassic Oct. 20 at Oak more and junior and Tree National. Teams was poised for a strong can still enter this fun senior spring before the event that raises funds season was cancelled. for the Hall of Fame She also won the 2019 scholarships, awards Women’s Oklahoma and eventually a perGolf Association State manent site. To enter Amateur Champithe tournament or to onship after being a view more information 2016 2017 2018 2019 runner-up three times on the Oklahoma Golf Jordan Drew Rylee Elizabeth previously. She leaves Hall of Fame, go to NIEBRUGGE POSADA REINERTSON FREEMAN OU with the fifth best w w w.o k l a h o m a g o l f Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Baptist Univ.

University of Oklahoma Oklahoma Christian Univ. scoring average (73.41) hof.org.

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Legends lost Sons pay tribute to Cozby, Phillips by ken macleod

Jerry Cozby and Buddy Phillips at the 2016 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

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ithin a span of three days in late August, Oklahoma lost two legendary PGA professionals who between them guided their respective clubs an amazing 81 years.

Reaction poured in from around the country to the deaths of Buddy Phillips, 85, for 40 years the head professional at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, and to Jerry Cozby, 79, the head pro for 41 years at Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville.

Phillips passed away at his home on Aug. 21 of natural causes, while Cozby passed Roger Warren Aug. 23 in a Bartlesville hospital after complications from surgery to fix a bleeding ulcer.

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Pros, former members, friends and oth- are chronicled there in several stories. ers who knew them, will miss these two Their legacies are carried forward by their men who dedicated so much of their lives sons, all of whom are in the midst of their own successful careers in the industry. Cary Cozby, 51, is the head professional at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, middle son Craig Cozby, 49, is a sales rep for Ping in Kansas City and youngest son, Chance, 45, is executive director of The Thunderbirds, who host the Phoenix Open each winter in Scottsdale, Ariz. Phillips’ son, Tracy, 58, is a longtime golf instructor in the Tulsa area and also works with FlyingTee and Jerry Cozby.

Roy Clark and Buddy Phillips, 1977. in its efforts to bring to golf and service. Go to www.golfokla- its technology to golf entertainment centers homa.org to read their peers’ reactions that and ranges around the country.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Jerry Cozby

Buddy Phillips

•B orn June 9, 1941 in Breckenridge, Texas. Died age 79, Aug. 23, 2020 in Bartlesville.

•B orn July 22, 1935 in West Milford, West Virginia. Died age 85, Aug. 21, 2020 in Tulsa.

•H ead professional at Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville, 1978-2009

•H ead pro at Cedar Ridge Country Club 1972 to 2012.

• PGA Professional of the Year in 1985.

• I nducted into South Central Section PGA Hall of Fame in 2007

• I nducted into PGA of America Hall of Fame 2005 and Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame in 2016 •N amed Golfweek Magazine Father of the Year in 2012 •H illcrest is putting in a memorial near the 18th green with two park benches and a plaque and plans to name a future teaching center in his honor.

•B uddy Phillips Learning Center at Cedar Ridge named in his honor •K nown for his quiet determination, flashy dress and dedication to customer service • “ Buddy Phillips was Cedar Ridge.”

Cleve Stubblefield, Cedar Ridge GM

No one is better equipped to reminisce about these two men and the impact they had on them as golfers, family men and businessmen, and also to provide a look behind the curtain of their professionalism. Here are some of their memories.

JERRY COZBY “You know, he worked every day like he could get fired that afternoon,” Cary said. “That’s always rubbed off on me, I want to be interviewing every day to keep the job I’ve got, make sure I’m doing my job right. We saw that on a daily basis.”

“He didn’t lead the easiest of lives as a boy with what his dad did (oil field work in west Texas),” Craig said.

“Hard work was just instilled in him from day one.”

Growing up, all of the Cozby boys played other sports and had other interests. None were rabble rousers, but Craig was most likely to challenge his father’s strict rules and authority on all matters. He was also the only one to take a job outside the golf business, working in insurance for a few years.

But every day he would stare out the window wondering why he wasn’t in-

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Jerry and Karole Cozby. volved in golf.

Jerry’s all consuming relentless dedication was too much for Craig at times.

When Jerry would ask at Christmas dinner which of the boys was opening the shop in the morning, he groaned inwardly, or maybe outwardly.

“I might have pushed back harder than

Congrats from hero Ben Hogan. the other two,” Craig said. “I’m not saying they were sweet as sugar, but they knew when to keep their mouths shut. I would argue back and that made things a lot worse. And I would get caught doing things and most of the time I didn’t care. I was willing to take the consequences.

“But when it comes down to it, if you

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were going to model what you want to be as a parent, they did it right. They worked hard, provided for us and created a loving home. They didn’t let us get away with a ton, but taught us to be independent and successful.”

All three boys were tremendous golfers in high school and All-Americans at the

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Craig, Karole, Cary, Chance and Jerry at his 2016 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame induction.

University of Oklahoma, but rare was the time Jerry actually got to watch them play in competition. Lugging them to tournaments was Karole’s job, whom they all refer to as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of golf moms. But he also had confidence in them to be responsible. He allowed them once of age to drive to Wichita Falls by themselves to compete in the Texas-Oklahoma Open.

“I love watching my son play golf and basketball, but try not to get too wound up,” Cary said. “Dad set the best example.

You could never tell whether we made a 2 or a 10 from his expression. His deal was we just better be ready when you go play a tournament. You better be prepared, take it serious and practice the right way.”

Craig said his dad would perch on a hill and watch the players go through at the turn, yet somehow knew how each player stood.

“When we won the state championship (1987 at Stillwater Country Club) and beat Edmond, he did walk down the fairway and said to me ‘put the hammer down, they’re falling apart.’ He somehow knew what every player on both teams was doing.”

The Cozby boys and dad played a lot of family matches both at Hillcrest and on vacations. Chance remembers beating his father for the first time in one of those and Jerry walked over, shook his hand and simply said “nice round.”

As Jerry got older and a bit shorter off the tee, Cary made the mistake of asking if he wanted to move up a tee.

“He shoots back, ‘you mind your own business, I’ll play exactly where I want to GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

Hubie Green, Buddy and Chi Chi Rodriguez.

play,’ “ Cary said.

When Chance was leaving home on a May Sunday in 1992 to compete in the OGA State Junior Amateur Championship, Jerry needled him, saying “see you in a couple of days,” knowing that winning the stroke play and match play combined event was a week-long endeavor. Instead it was

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Jerry who found a way to get off work and was there to see Chance win the championship at the end of the week, a title Craig also won in 1987 and 1989.

Jerry seemed to find the balance between someone legendary for his work ethic, yet how he treated people, including the boys, is what they’ll ultimately remember. He

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was a great storyteller with an anecdote for every occasion.

“He may be in five or six Hall of Fames, but some of our greatest memories are on the back patio smoking ribs and just talking,” Craig said. “There was a lot more to him than being a golf pro.”

“His bark was a lot bigger than his bite,” Chance said. “He was a very caring and loving man at the end of the day. “ With that, the Cozby boys headed to the patio to smoke ribs in honor of their dad, a tribute Jerry would have loved.

BUDDY PHILLIPS Tracy began following in his father’s footsteps as soon as he could walk. The family lived in an apartment above the pro shop in Artesia, N.M., where Buddy was a young head pro and Tracy, all of 2 ½-yearsold, would trail him around, whirling his cut off 5-wood as he went.

As the years went on and Buddy went from Artesia to Cherry Hills in Denver, then Tulsa Country Club and finally Cedar Ridge for a remarkable 40-year tenure, there was plenty of mutual admiration between father and son. Tracy adored his dad, the flashy clothes, but mostly the hard work and dedication to the member-

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ship. Buddy became Tracy’s teacher and biggest fan as he rose to the top of the junior ranks.

In honor of his father, Tracy might show up at a junior event in lime green pants, a two-tone matching green shirt and green Footjoy golf shoes with his own golf chain and pinkie ring.

“That all went away around college, but we had fun with Buddy on it,” Tracy said. “Most of what I remember about Dad from the early years was how tight of a shop he ran. He took interest in everything, the golf course, the clubhouse, the pro shop, the entrance. And of course, he was a master merchandiser.”

Like Jerry Cozby, Buddy was a workaholic who could put in a 16-hour day and be ready to go the next. He didn’t get to see too many of Tracy’s out-of-town tournaments and that was one of his great regrets.

the job at Cedar Ridge Country Club.

After Tracy made a run at professional golf, he saw how the advent of big box stores was affecting Buddy’s merchandising and decided he would become a teacher rather than running a club.

“He just wanted to make sure everything was run correctly and took it upon himself to do that,” Tracy said.

Buddy supported junior golf, high school, college and the pros. He was a big favorite of Nancy Lopez when she played at the University of Tulsa and of the pros who played there in the 1983 U.S. Women’s Open Championship and the LPGA event held there from 2004-08.

He cherished the course, designed by Joe Finger in 1969. He had lunch daily with Mike Wooten, one of the state’s best superintendents, to discuss ways to continually make improvements. He always said he didn’t want it compared to Southern Hills, but just wanted it to be the best Cedar Ridge it could be and he worked hard every day to make sure that happened.

He and Tracy did manage to find time to play golf together and Buddy cherished his getaways with family and friends to Hawaii each winter. When he retired and particularly after he began to have some shortterm memory issues, he lost the spark that had kept him on top of the game for many decades.

“Dad gave his heart and soul to this place for 40 years,” Tracy said. “I think when he retired, with the memory issues, he was afraid he would go out there and not recognize somebody. So he mostly stayed home.”

Tracy still teaches regularly at the Buddy Phillips Learning Center at Cedar Ridge.

He’ll never pull in the gate without remembering his father with fondness.

“To me, he was Cedar Ridge,” Tracy said.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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Jolly giants in Payne's Valley that paired Woods and Justin Thomas against Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. We’re not sure how much Morris, the owner of Big ever let it be said that Johnny Morris doesn’t have a flair Cedar Golf and Bass Pro Shops, paid to make it all happen, but it for the dramatic. Or that The Tiger Effect is not still the was worth its weight in public relations gold. most powerful force in golf.

The four golfers, all of whom had spent a portion of the previWith what amounted to a five-hour infomercial called the ous week in the claustrophobic U.S. Open torture chamber that Payne’s Valley Cup on The Golf Channel on Sept. 22, Tiger Woods’ was Winged Foot, were loose and chatty and seemed thrilled to first public access design Payne’s Valbe there as made their way around the ley at the Big Cedar Golf Resort near wide-open course with its gorgeous Branson was introduced in spectacular views of the Ozarks. fashion to an international television Broadcasters Paul Azinger and Dan audience, creating an awareness of Big Hicks raved continually, as neither had Cedar as a golf destination that would visited the property previously. Azingotherwise have taken years to create. er said it would now be on his bucket How big of an impact? Enough to list of places to play. crash the Big Cedar website, overIt was the perfect moment for Morwhelm the operators at the lodge tryris, who has invested so much in making to handle the flood of calls and to ing Big Cedar a world class golf desbook Payne’s Valley out through for tination in what often seemed like a most of the fall. quixotic quest. When Woods’ reputaThe Payne’s Valley Cup was an oth- Tiger Woods and friends Justin Thomas, Rory tion sank following his well publicized erwise meaningless friendly match McIlroy and Justin Rose at Payne’s Valley Cup. divorce, philandering and substance by ken macleod

N

View from behind the par-3 second hole.

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The island green on the par-3 fourth. abuse issues related to pain, there were questions about how much of an attraction Payne’s Valley would ultimately be.

When he came back from the brink to win the Tour Championship in 2018 and followed that with his fifth Masters victory in 2019, Tiger mania was back. Morris realized there would be no better time to get the course completed and open and here we are.

Just a few weeks prior to the Payne’s Valley Cup, his old rival Phil Mickelson had provided a boost when he made his Cham-

Downhill par-5 first hole at Payne’s Valley.

pions Tour debut at Ozarks National, the still relatively new course perched just above Payne’s Valley and designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore.

The course looked inviting on television, Mickelson won and Crenshaw and Coore are much more experienced and well recognized in the world of golf course architecture. When all those flooding in to play Payne’s Valley arrive, they will find that Ozark National and Tom Fazio’s Buffalo Ridge are just as good.

Mickelson’s win provided a boost in res-

ervations and interest, but compared to the Payne’s Valley Cup, it was a snowball and the latter an avalanche.

“We had people calling in from as far away as France wanting tee times later in the week,” said Matt McQueary, assistant director of sales and marketing. “We’re booked up just about until the end of November and already a lot of requests for next spring. The price ($225) has not even been a consideration. We’re probably way under priced for the demand.”

McQueary had his heart in his throat the

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COU R SE ROUN DU P morning of the event as it looked for the longest time as if remnants of Hurricane Sally would dump rain in the Ozarks all afternoon. But it held off and the course actually looked spectacular against the dark clouds overhead.

Golfers will find a course with spectacular conditioning, generous fairways, interesting ground contours, greens with much interior movement and some great riskreward elements. It will be fun, especially when bets are settled at the 19th hole, an island green built into the rock wall about ½ way up from the 18th green below to the clubhouse perched on top.

This writer and five friends played the course back in July when 13 holes were open for preview play and we could tour the other five with McQueary.

“The difference it has even to Ozark National and Buffalo Ridge is what everyone is commenting on,” McQueary said. “The layout, the style of sand, the style of zoysia grass. The three courses are so different and that’s going to help Big Cedar stand out. Some resorts the courses look much the same, photograph to photograph. Here they are all so different.

McQueary said once golfers have played most of the Big Cedar courses, reaction is

Sunset over Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Golf Resort near Branson. mixed as to their favorite. But Payne’s Valley is instantly a bucket list course due to the Tiger Effect.

“The response to anything we post on social media is insane,” McQueary said. “The Tiger Effect is alive and well, he’s once in a more than a generation type of figure.

Tiger was beaming as he listened to the reactions of his peers to his first public course. Morris’ long gamble of building a

new golf resort designed to compete with the likes of Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes for traveling golf vacationers suddenly seemed to be anything but a lark.

“It’s wild to think this is happening right now in the midst of a pandemic when travel is not the most friendly thing,” McQueary said. “It’s been a crazy year. We were completely dead in April and most of May, now the phones never stop ringing.”

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The IN NOVEMBER

Wf i r s t ith our

November Masters approaching, golf historian Del Lemon, author of Golf In Oklahoma and g r a d u a t e of Oklahoma State, provides a quiz on the impact of Oklahomans and particularly how his beloved Oklahoma State golfers have fared in one of golf’s favorite events.

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iktor Howland’s debut in 2019 was impressive and he and Matt Wolff will be the new guns seemingly capable of bringing home the 2020 championship and becoming the first OSU golfer since Bob Tway in 1986 to win a major championship.

The first time that Norway’s Hovland played at the Masters (2019), with his Oklahoma State coach Alan Bratton as caddie, he negotiated 72 holes in 3-under par, wins Low Amateur and breaks s former OSU AllAmerican Lindy Miller’s all-time record (set in 1978) for low score by an amateur at his first Masters—by one stroke.

Hovland’s 285 total hypothetically would have tied for or won the Masters outright 10 times.

Masters Winning Scores: 1936 Horton Smith 285 1938 Henry Picard 285 1952 Sam Snead 286 1954 Sam Snead 289 (Playoff with Hogan) 1956 Jack Burke Jr. 289 1963 Jack Nicklaus 286 1966 Jack Nicklaus 288 1972 Jack Nicklaus 286 1987 Larry Mize 285 2007 Zach Johnson 289

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Cowboy Quiz ANSWERS AT BOTTOM 1. How many OSU golfers have played in the Masters?

2. Name the former OSU golfer who played hole No. 12 in 2-2-2-2.

3. Name the OSU Cowboy who made 2 at No. 1.

4. Name the 3 Pokes to shoot even par or better all 4 rounds?

5. Name the OSU great who made the most 2s in one Masters and how many?

6. Which Cowboy All-American posted

the lowest 72-hole score ever by an amateur at his first Masters and what was that total? Whose record did Hovland break?

7. Which Poke posted the third lowest 72-hole score ever by an amateur at his first Masters and what was that total?

8. Name the four Pokes who were Low Amateur at the Masters.

9. Name the Poke who made a hole-inone at the Masters and which hole?

10. Name the Poke who missed the cut but still posted the lowest 2-round total that year by an amateur, what was the year and by how many strokes did he miss the cut?

11. What was the lowest 72-hole total by a Poke at the Masters ?

12. Which Poke was the first golfer since Bobby Jones to win the US Amateur and British Amateur in the same year?

OPENING ROUNDS And lest we forget just how challenging a test that Augusta National represents, particularly for first year amateurs: • In 1934, at the first Masters (then named the Augusta National Invitational Tournament,) 72 players teed off, 12 were amateurs. First round low score that year by an amateur: 74 by John DawScott Verplank Bob Dickson son. Bobby Jones shot 76.

• To find the first year that a Summary: Eighty-three Masters, 424 rookie Masters amateur broke par for his first year amateurs post their first round first 18 holes, we score—five scores in the 60s. must fast forward Other opening round salvos by 20 years, to 1954. amateurs of note at their first Masters: That year Billy Joe Patton and Ray Francis Ouimet 82 Palmer each shot Charlie Coe 77 2-under par 70.

Ken Venturi 76 • For the first Jack Nicklaus 76 year that an amaBob Dickson 77 teur broke 70 in his Labron Harris Jr. 79 opening round at Tom Watson 77 the Masters—fast Bob Tway Lanny Wadkins 79 forward again to Lindy Miller 74 1969–when Bruce Fleischer fired a 69.

Bob Tway 75 • As of 2019, the total number of amaWillie Wood 78 teurs to post an opening round score in the Scott Verplank 78 60s—at their first Masters—stood at five: Brian Montgomery 77 Fleischer, James O. Hallett ( 68 in 1983), Trip Kuehne 79 Phil Mickelson (69 in 1991), James Driscoll Tiger Woods 72 (68 in 2001), Ricky Barnes (69 in 2003).

Sergio Garcia 72 • No rookie Masters Amateur has shot Viktor Hovland 72 an opening round under 70 since.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

The Masters in November 13. Who was the only Poke to shoot even par 288 as an amateur in his first Masters and which year?

14. Which Poke won the Masters Par 3 Contest as an amateur?

15. In the 85-year history of the Masters how many invitees have been from Norway?

16. Who is the only Poke to shoot all four rounds under par at one Masters?

17. Who are the first Poke father and son to have competed in the Masters?

18. How many Pokes entered the 2019 Masters?

19. Which former Poke golfer was born in Augusta, Georgia?

20. Which Poke has played in the most Masters?

21. Which former OSU golfer—a Vietnam veteran—finished 5th in his first Masters and 3rd in his second Masters?

Go East, young man

I

n 1933 University of Oklahoma golfer Walter Emery became the first collegian from a university west of the Mississippi River to win the individual title at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Emery earned his victory at the Country Club of Buffalo in Williamsville, New York.

Emery’s lone Masters start was Walter Emery at the first Mas-

ters (1934) as an amateur. There was no cut. His scores (77-76-82-84) were good enough for T54 in a starting field of 72.

Research shows there to be 811 Masters participants (1934-2019) with college affiliations. Among the five largest conferences, the Southeastern Conference leads with 131 affiliated golfers who have played in the Masters, followed by the Atlantic Coast Conference (103), the PAC 12 Conference (97), the Big 12 Conference (88) and the Big Ten Conference (56 ). Among colleges Oklahoma State has advanced 38 golfers to the Masters, followed by Houston (35), Florida (31), Georgia (28), Wake Forest (22), and Texas (21).

Other state collegiate appearances in The Masters

University of Oklahoma Oral Roberts University Dave Barr (4) Abraham Ancer (first appearance 2020) Bill Glasson (9) Charles Coe (19) Joey Rassett (1) Brad Dalke (1) Glen Day (2) University of Tulsa Walter Emery (1) Ron Streck (3) Hunter Haas (1) Todd Hamilton (7) Anthony Kim (3) Andrew Magee (7) Orville Moody (5) Richard Norville (1) Craig Perks (3) o amateur had a bigger impact on Clifton Pierce (1) The Masters than legendary Ardmore native and University of Oklahoma James Vickers (1) Grant Waite (2) Orville Moody Ron Streck Brad Dalke great Charlie Coe. Coe made 19 Masters Tournament appearances and owns almost every Masters Bob May—1 Rickie Fowler, 70-72-65- 10. Trip Kuehne, 2008, (78Answers: Lindy Miller—2 67 (2018) 1. 38 amateur record, including most cuts made 72) MC3 Brian Montgomery—1 5. Scott Verplank, seven 2s, 11. Rickie Fowler, 274, (Alphabetic with # of appearances) (15); top-25 finishes (9); top-10 finishes (3); Jordan Niebrugge—1 2003 * Includes 2019 (2018) eagles (6), rounds played (67) and most * Alex Noren—3 6. Viktor Hovland (285 in 12. Bob Dickson, 1967 Michael Bradley—2 Tom Sieckmann—2 2019), breaking the mark of Henry DeLozier—2 times low amateur (6). Coe won low ama13. Wittenberg, 2004 Doug Tewell—6 a-Lindy Miller (also an OSU Bob Dickson—3 teur honors at Augusta in four consecutive 14. Labron Harris Jr, score Bob Tway—13 All-American), 286 (1978) Danny Edwards—7 decades: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He * Kevin Tway—1 74-71-70-71. Before Hov- of 23, (1964) David Edwards—6 Peter Uihlein—1 land, Lindy Miller’s 286 15. 1, Viktor Hovland Dave Eichelberger—7 also holds the amateur records for best finish Bo Van Pelt—4 was second only among 16. Hunter Mahan (2010) * Rickie Fowler—9 (2nd in 1961), lowest third round score (67 Scott Verplank—15 Pokes to David Edwards 71-71-68-71 T8 (281) Robert Goetz—1 in 1959), and lowest 72-hole score (281 in Brian Watts—2 eight-under-par 280 (com- 17. Bob Tway and Kevin Labron Harris Jr.—3 Terry Wilcox—2 peting as a professional) at Tway Mark Hayes—6 1961). In 1961, Coe rallied in the final round Bo Wininger—9 his first Masters in 1984.

Morgan Hoffmann—1 18. 5–Rickie Fowler, Alex from six shots down to finish one stroke beCasey Wittenberg—2 7. a-Casey Wittenberg, 288, Noren, Charles Howell III, * Viktor Hovland—1 hind Gary Player.

Willie Wood—4 (2004) * Charles Howell III—9 Kevin Tway, and Viktor Jimmy Wright—1 8. Labron Harris Jr., 1963 Jim Jamieson—3 Coe served as a pilot during World War Hovland 2. Scott Verplank, 2003 (298). Lindy Miller, 1978 Grier Jones—3 II and later attended the University of Okla19. Charles Howell III (June 3. Scott Verplank, 1987 (286), Casey Wittenberg, Dick Knight—1 homa from 1946-48 where he won the Big 4. David Edwards, 71-70- 2004, (288), Viktor Hov- 20, 1979) Trip Kuehne—2 20. Verplank, 15 72-67 (1984) land, 2019, (285) Jeff Maggert—12 Seven Conference championship all three Hunter Mahan, 71-71-68- 9. Bo Van Pelt, Hole No. 16, 21. A: Jim Jamieson in 1972 Hunter Mahan—10 years. He was in the inaugural class of the and 1973.

71 (2010) 6-iron, 202 yards (2012) Billy Maxwell—13 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame in 2014.

Charlie Coe, the ultimate Amateur at The Masters

N

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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COU R SE R ESTOR AT ION

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Taking the long view

View of the 11th green and downtown Tulsa at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge.

Canyons at Blackjack Ridge, Heritage Hills back in business after successful renovations by ken macleod photos by shane bevel

W

ith the pandemic-induced golf boom in full swing since May, it was a tough summer to miss if you were a golf course that had chosen 2020 to undergo significant renovations and improvements.

For the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge in Sand Springs and Heritage Hills in Claremore, owners and operators look forward to jumping in the fray this fall with courses improved to the point that golfers will find that rediscovering them is a joy.

Canyons at Blackjack Ridge At the Canyons, Director of Golf Brian Talley has embraced the old “Goat Hills” nickname the course had years ago, even using a goat as a logo on wildly popular hats and other merchandise. Only this time there is no negative connotation, as all new Champion Bermuda greens, new bunkers and tee boxes, tree removal and other improvements have the course in the best condition it’s ever been for its early October 32

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and ready to show it off to the public.

Golfers will find greens that have been expanded nearly 25 percent to regain square footage lost over decades and have much more internal movement than the old bent grass greens that were removed. Each green is surrounded by a 5-foot or so layer of dense and puttable Tahoma Bermudagrass followed by another surround of Astro Bermuda in the

reopening.

Talley has been shuffling hats supervising the many facets of the extensive renovation of the clubhouse, which has experienced delays due to COVID-19 related slowdowns in parts and supplies. Scheduled originally to be completed in late spring, it should be largely done by the time the course reopens in October and will be totally renovated with a new banquet room, pro shop, restaurant and instruction room outfitted with Track Man and New bunkers and much larger greens at The Canyons. a simulator.

Waiting on the clubhouse has just given an chipping areas before blending into the comextra six weeks of grow-in time for the on- mon Bermuda in the rough and fairways. course renovations. Architect Conor CumIt typically takes a year or so for newly inmings of Heckenkemper Golf, course build- stalled ultradwarf Bermuda greens to reach ers Wadsworth Golf and superintendent Nick the right blend of firmness and ball speed Neal are all pleased with what has transpired and Neal will tinker with those combinaGOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

tions as they mature. For now he is glad to have pristine greens that going forward he will not have to battle to keep alive in the heat of July and August. The grow-in was very successful and the extra time waiting on the clubhouse has only made the Champion Bermuda greens even more dense for opening day.

The bunkers are all new and strategically placed, with Premier white sand, new drains and Better Billy Bunker liners. Some of the previous bunkers have been eliminated, others repositioned for strategy or to better frame holes. Cummings designed rugged looking bunkers that are easy to clamber in and out of for older players. He credited Stacy Baker and Art Wall of Wadsworth with bringing his vision to life.

The course offers spectacular views of downtown Tulsa that have been enhanced by selective tree removal. You won’t find a better view in Tulsa than from the perch in the landing area on the dogleg left par-4 11th hole, just prior to the par-3 12th with it’s dramatic 107-foot drop to the green below.

“Wadsworth and Nick’s team have both done a great job,” Cummings said. “Golfers will really notice the enhanced views and the greens and bunkers are really good. The greens have a lot of internal movement, not

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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33

COU R SE R ESTOR AT ION real dramatic but plenty to learn.

Neal said it’s been nice having the summer to improve turf coverage in the fairways and roughs, but “I’m ready to get golfers back out here and see what they think.”

Most will think this is the finest incarnation they have seen of this course and combined with the upgraded clubhouse will join in with other suburban courses in the area as a place for tournaments, meetings and regular rounds of which their city can certainly be proud.

sprigged with Tif-Eagle, one of the ultradwarf Bermuda varieties. Bunkers were rebuilt with new Better Billy Bunker liners, drains and new sand. And just as the Canyons benefitted from a summer without cart traffic, so did Heritage Hills.

Superintendent Marcus Rifai and con-

for months in the summer and they are less likely to be affected by heat.

With its variety of doglegs, ponds and streams and the back nine gliding through wooded hills, Heritage Hills has a great setting for entertaining golf. Hopefully a future capital expenditure would include a new irrigation system, clubhouse restoration and some more select tree trimming or removal to allow the new greens to receive even more sunlight. For now, the improvement is dramatic.

Former longtime Heritage Hills professional Dave Wilbur was at the Heritage Hills course on our recent visThe rescue of Heritage it and said the back nine, Hills in Claremore was which opened in early New Tif-Eagle ultradwarf Bermuda greens will be a marked improvement. on a tighter budget but September, was the best is still dramatic and much needed. It is the struction project supervisor Russell Huff he’s seen it in 40 years. result of a new collaboration between the of Jonesplan both concur the project was Current head professional Andy Forbes City of Claremore, Rogers County and the a lifesaver for the course, where rounds said demand for play has been heavy since trust that has overseen affairs at the course had dipped to under 15,000 due to the poor the back nine opened in early September for many years. condition of the old bent grass greens. Hav- and even more so when the full nine reThe city and county each contributed ing Bermuda greens that are firm and fast opened in late September. He is hoping the $150,000 plus a bank loan was secured in the summer months may actually take increased play the course missed out on this to hire JONESPLAN to rebuild the greens more work overall in terms of verticut- summer will continue with a strong fall and and bunkers. The damaged old Penncross ting and top dressing, but they don’t need pick up even more after the greens have a greens were stripped out and a nurse syringing greens until dark full growing season to mature.

Xxxxxx

Workers from JONESPLAN shape new bunkers 34

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GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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R ETA I L ROUN DU P

Golfers put faith in familiar face by ken macleod

I

n the competitive world of big box golf retailers, Golf USA in north Oklahoma City has demonstrated remarkable staying power.

Overshadowed in size and volume by giants such as Golf Galaxy, what customers find at Golf USA is a team with decades of experience, one that knows its customer base and goes the extra mile to provide service after the sale.

No one exemplifies that spirit more than Mickey Botkin, a familiar and reassuring face to hundreds of customers, both longtime and brand new. He has sold clubs to Oklahoma Supreme Court justices, a former NBA coach (Byron Scott) and to supreme talents such as former OU running back Marcus Dupree as well as everyone in between.

Botkin has worked as a club pro, a teaching pro and a touring pro. He knows golf clubs, golfers and the game as well as anyone and truly enjoys working with everyone. He has helped guide small-town talents such as Quade Cummins from Weatherford (whom he taught in high school) and Garrison Mendoza from Clinton into All-America careers at Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, respectively. But he is just as happy helping beginners and golfers of all ages and handicaps.

“Mickey is a special person,” said Mendoza, now in private business in Oklahoma City. “I started working with him when I was six and stayed with him all the way through OCU. He would give me a lesson for an hour and never charge more than $25 (a special rate). It wasn’t about the money.

He loves what he does and has a passion for it. He was always there for me.

“It’s the same way now in retail. I can stop

by Golf USA to talk to him and he knows everything about every club. But he never does anything just to try to sell me a club.”

Botkin grew up in Lawton, took up the game as a sophomore and advanced rapidly.

He played one year at Cameron University, placing in the top five in five of seven events.

He took a hiatus from golf until getting a job as an assistant at Surrey Hills in Yukon in 1982, then went to Florida to try his hand at the professional mini-tours for a couple 36

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of seasons.

That part didn’t pan out – his best finish was a tie for 20th. But he met renowned teachers Bob Toski and David Ledbetter.

Toski taught visual analogies and feel and Ledbetter was more structured and analytical. Botkin borrowed from both when forming his own teaching style.

His retail career began in 1988 with Clubhouse Golf in Oklahoma City, named one of the top 17 stores in the country by Golf Shop Operations in 1988 and 1989. He expanded his contacts as an assistant at Lake Hefner Golf course from 1996-1999, then went to work for Oklahoma Golf Superstore, which was purchased by Golf USA in 2006.

“I had guys who had been with me a long time and wasn’t really planning on hiring Mickey,” said Golf USA owner Brad Bowen.

“Then I thought, would I rather be selling against Mickey or have him selling for me.

We definitely made the right decision.

“Mickey is just a phenomenon. He’s one of those guys that everybody knows and everybody likes. It was just amazing to see all the people that would walk in and ask for Mickey. I know most of them think he owns the store.”

Botkin said, “I’ve had customers from all walks of life and you like to see them and follow up. We want them to be happy with the clubs they’ve bought and if not, bring them in and let’s see what we can do.”

He can point to several defining moments that changed the landscape in equipment sales. The advent of the more forgiving Ping Eye 2 irons in the early 1980s, the debut of Big Bertha metalwoods in 1991, the rise of Tiger Woods lifting all boats in the late 1990s. Recent advances in irons with thinner faces and more trampoline effect have increased distances. But he said for general sales, nothing might match the moment we’re in right now, with COVID-19 actually leading to a boom in both rounds played and equipment sales.

“I’ve been a golfer since 1971 and this is historic,” Botkin said. “I’ve never seen anything like the last four months.”

That statement is confirmed by Bowen, who said sales are up for the year despite the store being forced to close for five weeks around what is normally one of its busiest

Mickey Botkin times. September sales are double September of 2019, and that was a good month.

Online sales have doubled as well. One of the 14 franchises that Bowen provides corporate support for reports that numbers from June through September exceeded its sales for all of 2019.

Botkin said the good news for all the new and returning golfers purchasing new equipment is that the advances in club and ball technology have made the game easier to learn.

“Back when I started all we had were blades, balata balls and wood woods,” Botkin said. “Now we’ve got clubs to help people get the ball in the air, which is really important. And they can get directional and distance help as well.”

If Botkin could give most of his aging male customers a free tip, it would be to peer in the bags of the top players on the LPGA Tour for ideas and stop living in the past. Forget any iron lower than a 5-iron. Use high-lofted hybrids and fairways woods.

“They get the ball in the air, they hit it farther, higher and straighter,” Botkin said.

Nothing gives Botkin more satisfaction than a return visit from a customer telling him how much their new clubs have helped them improve their game or enjoy the game more. A still avid and very good golfer at age 65, he knows how much that means.

Enjoying the game, or at least enjoying the struggle to enjoy the game, is a key to keeping many of these new golfers coming back.

Botkin plans to be there to help for a long time to come – good news to hundreds of his loyal customers.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

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PROFESSIONA L ROUN DU P

Tulsan steadily building momentum on KF Tour by john rohde

B

it by bit, Tulsa native Charlie Saxon has pieced together a Korn Ferry Tour season that can uniquely be categorized as frustratingly successful.

“It’s been a weird year,” Saxon said, forcing a chuckle.

The weirdness wasn’t limited solely to COVID-19, although the powerful pandemic certainly has played a role.

A product of Cascia Hall Prep, Saxon played at the University of Oklahoma from 2011-15. He teamed with Max McGreevy, Grant Hirschman, Michael Gellerman and other standouts to help build a foundation that resulted in the Sooners capturing the 2017 NCAA title and the program has ranked among the collegiate elite ever since.

The 27-year-old Saxon turned pro after 38

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his senior season and has made a steady climb toward gaining PGA Tour status.

However, the 2020 season started horribly for Saxon, who missed his first four cuts.

“Man, I was doing everything pretty poorly at the start of the year,” Saxon said.

“I wasn’t putting well. My ball-striking has been my calling card, and I was bad.

When your calling card is bad, it’s going to be rough.”

Saxon started gaining momentum with T32 and T16 finishes. Then came COVID-19, which wound up cancelling 13 tour events.

An avid outdoorsman, Saxon didn’t use the pandemic break to shoot ducks, deer and birds. Instead, the game he concentrated on was golf.

“I really worked on my (golf) game quite

a bit,” Saxon said. “I had such a lousy start to the year. I finally made a couple of cuts and gained a little momentum. Using this (break) was really the right time to enter the season again and playing great.”

Alas, Saxon missed the first three cuts after the re-start. “The first missed cut after the (pandemic) break, I just felt I had nothing,” Saxon said. “My game was really bad.”

The tour returned with the first two events staged near Jacksonville, Fla., which happened to be the location of Saxon’s original swing instructor Todd Anderson, who serves as Director of Instruction at the PGA Tour’s Performance Center at TPC Sawgrass.

Saxon and Anderson began working the same weekend Saxon missed the cut.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

“The great part was I missed the cut where he was and we were able to work together that whole week,” Saxon said.

After another missed cut, Saxon showed some life with a T17 at the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes on the July 4 weekend. Two weeks later, Saxon had a T9 at the TPC San Antonio Championship at The Oaks with rock-steady scores of 70-69-70-69 for a 10-under-par total.

“San Antonio was kind of the week that really turned the season around, got a little bit of momentum and kept it rolling,” Saxon said. “I knew it was close. I knew it was coming. Me and Todd were working on some good stuff. I was seeing good results that I turned into complete weeks. The No. 1 thing has been getting my ball striking back and Todd’s been instrumental in me being able to do that. My putter was cold and that’s been heating up. When you start hitting it good with a hot putter, good things happen.”

Saxon survived six of the next seven cuts before taking a two-week break in midSeptember. His other finishes were T48, T14, T6, T18 and T7.

“When you’re making swing changes, results are not going to be immediate, but I was confident enough in what I was doing,” Saxon said. “I came out firing and it all started to click. Golf is a dumb game.

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that get it going.”

Though Saxon’s game was headed in the right direction, he was never able to stay on track for an entire tournament.

Saxon’s best effort was a 10-under 61 in the opening round of the Lincoln Land Championship.

“It was one of those days when everything was clicking,” he said. “I was hitting it great and the hole looked like a trash can.

You ride those out when you can get them.”

Saxon followed with a 66 and 68 to lead after each of the first three rounds, but a final- round 73 prevented his first Korn Ferry win.

“It’s kind of been that one round a tournament is keeping me from sealing the GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

In the 2016 and 2018 seasons, Saxon pocketed just shy of $2 million on the PGA Tour China with four victories, two second-place finishes, four thirdplace finishes and 14 Top-10s. Saxon also posted a victory on PGA Tour Latinoamerica in 2017.

Saxon said there have been times lately that have felt like he has recaptured a bit of the magic he had in China.

“I think back to the second half of 2016 or the first half of the 2018 season Did we mention Saxon loves the outdoor life. when I was in condeal,” Saxon said. tention literally every week,” Saxon said.

In earlier weeks, Saxon carded a second- “Just keep putting yourself in position and round 64 at the WinCo Foods Portland it’s going to happen before long, and I feel Open and had an opening-round 63 at the confident I can do it here in the final weeks Albertsons Boise Open, where he finished (of the Korn Ferry season).” the week at 16-under.

“I started off real slow (after the pandemic break) and then I was fortunate to get on a nice little run there for a month or so,” Saxon said. “I felt like I was turning a corner, stayed the course and had a great run here recently.”

This was the year Saxon envisioned making that final step by earning PGA Tour playing privileges. Because of the pandemic, the PGA Tour opted to extend its exempt player membership into a 202021 wrap-around season.

This meant the Korn Ferry Tour will not have a 2020 graduating class. Instead, the Top 10 finishers in the final Korn Ferry Tour points list will be granted access into all PGA Tour additional events for the 2020-21 season.

“It’s obviously a bummer we can’t graduate,” Saxon said. “The way I see it, with it being a ‘super season,’ it just means more events. The cream is going to rise to the top and hopefully I’ll be in the cream.

The more events you give me, the better chance I’m going to have to end up there.

Golf is such an up-and-down game of confidence and recently I’ve been expecting to be in contention rather than hoping to get in that position. That says a lot for how my game has turned around here in recent months.”

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COM PET I T ION ROUN DU P

McAllister, OU start hot, Cowboys rebound silly mistakes,” McAllister said. “At Colonial, it’s all about keeping the ball in front klahoma State coach Alan Brat- of you and not giving any shots away, and I ton and Oklahoma coach Ryan felt like I did that really well this week.

Hybl both saw plenty to be en“To get another win is huge for my concouraged about and some things fidence,” McAllister said after the to work on as the Cowboys and win. “It’s one thing to believe in Sooners got the season rolling yourself, which I do, but to be with two Big 12 events in late able to build off prior experiences September/early October. is something that can help me in The No. 2-ranked Sooners the future. This win gives me vallooked like the powerhouse idation to know that I can win at they were expected to be while this level. I’m thankful for all my Oklahoma State bounced back teammates, who push me day in from a lackluster stroke play perand day out to become the best Alan Bratton formance at the Big 12 Colonial player and person I can be.”

Preview to take second in the Big Oklahoma State, with its ros12 Match Play Championship at ter of young players and transHouston Oaks. fers gaining crucial experience, Both teams were grateful to be finished 36 shots behind the playing a fall schedule as more Sooners and in seventh place. than 240 of the nation’s 300 But the Cowboys bounced back Division I golf teams had their in the Big 12 Match Play Chamseasons canceled due to the COpionship, recording two victories VID-19 pandemic. and two ties to finish second.

Ryan Hybl Oklahoma was the only team The Sooners won three of four to shoot under par at Colonial, making 50 matches but lost to eventual champions birdies en route to a 5-under total of 835, six Baylor, coached by former OSU coach Mike McGraw, 4-2 on Saturday, while OSU and Baylor tied 3-3 in the championship match Sunday. Baylor won on a point differential.

Continuing his hot play from Colonial, McAllister went 5-0 in his matches in match play. Transfer Jonathan Brightwell went 4-1, while Cummins was 3-11. Junior Patrick Welch made birdie on the final hole Aman Gupta against Texas Allshots ahead of second place Texas. Junior American Cole Hammer to tie the match Logan McAllister shot 66 in the final round and lift the Sooners into third. Welch made to win for the second time as a Sooner and a tournament-leading 30 birdies and finsenior Quade Cummins took second. ished 3-0-2.

“Today was just awesome. I felt like I put “I think we learned a lot about our guys a really good round of golf together with no this week,” Hybl said. “We had some guys by ken macleod

O

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Logan McAllister that really got better at this tournament and I think it gives us some valuable knowledge going forward.”

Oklahoma State coach Alan Bratton was encouraged after the Cowboys rebounded from what he called a poor performance in the stroke play event at Colonial, lowlighted by a second-round 302 that was the worst score recorded by any team in the event and one Bratton called embarrassing.

“To rebound the way we did confirmed to me we have the depth of talent we thought we had, because we left some very good players at home,” Bratton said. “You learn a lot about yourself in match play. You can never hide from the score. We got to see at least four rounds from every player and we saw a lot to be encouraged about. It’s still very early.”

Sophomore Aman Gupta rallied late in his match with Colin Kober to put a second point on the board for the Cowboys. Kober grabbed the first lead of the match on its second hole before Gupta pulled even three holes later. He would build a 3-up lead after winning three holes over a four-hole stretch. However, Kober would move back in front after taking four of the next five. Gupta won the final two holes of the match for his 1-up victory.

After trailing for 10 holes in his match with Brandon Hoff, freshman Brian Stark also rallied down the stretch on his way to a 1-up victory. Stark drew even at the match’s 13th hole before taking his first lead two holes later. The two players would tie the final three holes to close it out.

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

I NST RUC T ION

Mechanics aren't everything D

uring my 30 years as a PGA pro, player, teacher and moderate entrepreneur, the sum of the parts has left me blessed with a solid understanding of swing mechanics.

PAT M CTIGUE Mechanics are important, but incredibly dull to teach. I’m not a method teacher, rather I want to see what the player brings to the table, what their goals are (if any), why they play and see what their instincts are.

I work really hard to not pound square pegs into round holes, meaning I want to work with golfers to maximize what they can do with their current swing rather than making changes. Swing changes are incredibly difficult to implement and while sometimes needed, better mechanics are not the only way to see improvement.

Tension is your enemy. I remember Fred Couples being asked during a proam, “What advice do you give your amateur partners?” He answered that “tension is the biggest killer of golf swings.” I had already thought that, but that was solidified in my mind.

The average golfer is working way too hard to produce speed, and likely able to hit the ball further with much less effort. Defining tension in terms of golf, I’m referring to excess tension in the hands, arms and shoulders.

Blanket Statement: If you’re gripping the club too tight, you’re slowing down the club head. Period. I don’t care how powerful it feels, you’re decreasing efficiency.

I recognize that I am a body-first teacher.

The body rotation creates centrifugal force, which coupled with a reasonably sound grip and tension-free release, will produce maximum speed. Not all instructors agree with my statement above, but, hey, this is my article.

Think of the golf swing as a bullwhip, A bullwhip has a very sturdy handle, and the further out you go on the whip the more flexible the whip, so with a minimal arm action you can create a massive snap.

When you grip the club tight, it’s like grabbing the loose end of the whip! That can’t GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

create any speed. The great majority of people with 12 handicaps and higher need to reduce 60-to80 percent of the tension in their hands, arms and shoulders throughout the swing, and that will result in better contact and distance. Your hands and arms are the weakest, least dependable appendages on your body, so don’t put them in charge of your swing.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m swinging too fast,” you’re a gol fer, as we’ve all thought

Illustration by Chris Swafford

that. But what are you swinging too fast with? Is your body moving too fast? Hands and arms? Unless you’re a 14-year-old boy, it’s hands and arms. Definition: Tempo, Rhythm, and Timing all refer to the same thing. You want your body rotation and your hands to be synced up through the shot, meaning your hands are right out in front of your chest into the follow through. The reason most golfers don’t do this is because they are trying to create speed with their hands and arms. Their tail is wagging their dog. I

want the dog to wag the tail.

Our ultimate goal is to control the ball.

The best line from Dr. Bob Rotella’s mental game bible, ``Golf is Not a Game of Perfect,’’ is that “you can begin to control the ball when you give up trying to control the ball.” We all need to quit trying to hit the ball, and start swinging the club through to the target and let the ball get in the way of the clubhead. Simple to say, hard to do, but when I plant that idea during a lesson, the results are almost always so much better.

Can’t be that simple, right?

No, it’s not. Is tension mental or physical in its origin? Many clients take some time to answer, even though they logically know it has to be mental. The golfer’s brain is telling muscles to tense up, because muscles only respond to commands. Here’s the kicker: Your ability to control tension over a shot is 100 percent voluntary. But it’s not easy, and will require all the discipline and practice or more than working on mechanics. In order to reduce tension physically, you absolutely need first to reduce tension mentally, regardless of your ability level.

So, what am I asking you to work toward? When you’re over a shot on the course, the mind set you want to be in to optimize your success is, “I don’t care where the ball goes.” That is the pinnacle of trust, as it really means that when I hit this shot, I’m completely ready to accept the result.

Worrying about negative possibilities of a shot is the cause of a majority of bad shots. Everyone has gotten to the right state during a round, but for the wrong reasons. Ever been in the middle of the back nine and just mentally said, “I’m done with this round,” then step up and hit your best shot of the day? It’s because you finally didn’t care where the ball was going to go.

Reduce tension, eliminate expectations both positive and negative, and swing the club toward the target rather than at the ball.

Cheers, Pat McTigue, PGA MeadowBrook Country Club W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

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I NST RUC T ION

How to bomb it like Bryson

B

ryson DeChambeau certainly has created a new movement in the game. The good news is you do not need to know all of the Ryan Rody information he does in order to hit the ball farther. Distance clearly has its advantages, and you can also find more distance by following these simple steps.

1) Adjust your setup. Take your stance shoulder width apart, and then step your right foot out six inches outside your shoulder line. This puts you

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3

behind the ball to increase your angle of attack and swing it faster. I like to put a headcover two driver club heads in front of the ball to make sure I am sweeping the ball off the tee, and not hitting down into the cover.

2) Turn your back to the target. A full turn will allow you to reach your full speed potential and hit up on the ball.

3) Find the center of the club face. This is the No. 1 key. Notice the difference on these two strikes, and the difference in ball speed and total distance. I was 20 yards longer with a 17mm shift on the club face! The club speed was only 1 mph different. Buy some Dr. Scholl’s and use it next time you are at the range. Experiment with adjusting your contact to shift it to the center.

Enjoy your new distance, and I hope you start playing your best golf just like Bryson.

Ryan Rody, PGA Director of Instruction Southern Hills Country Club

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

GOL F FI TN E SS

Why you need an off-season golf fitness workout plan

A

s winter approaches and the days get shorter Clint Howard Golf Fitness Systems and the weather gets colder… it’s not the ideal time for playing golf in this part of the country. So why not use this time of year to work on your No. 1 piece of equipment -- your body! I preach about this every year, and some take me up on it and some don’t. Make this the year that you do, and come next spring you and your golf game will be noticing the results on the course and thanking me!

Don’t overthink it or overcomplicate things. Here are three simple tips to follow and get started on now1. Figure out what you need Spend some time thinking about your specific golf fitness goals and why they are important to you. Know your “why” and write down your goals and review them regularly. Do you want to get stronger and faster so you can hit the ball farther and outdrive your buddies, as well as lower your scores? Great! Those are very achievable goals. Do you want to help prevent injury and aches and pains when you play? Great! Those are important goals as well.

Do you want to have more overall energy and stamina when you play? Great! You need to make sure you are doing movements and exercises that are going to make you better and are tailored to your specific golf fitness goals, as well as your overall health/fitness goals.

2. Develop a solid foundation of strength If you follow the PGA Tour I’m sure that you notice the modern golfers are athletes and are very strong. Increasing strength fixes many issues for golfers. Overall full-body strength development needs to be established and the offseason is a perfect time to make it happen. Getting stronger will greatly enhance your golf game as well as your overall health.

The stronger you are, the more force you can produce. Golf is very much dependent on producing ground and rotational forces that move through your body as kinetic energy and is then applied to the club to help it move faster.

Faster swing speed -- more distance! More strength also gives you better overall balance, stability and control -- this helps you maintain your posture and center of gravity better, and will give you more consistency in your swing.

A stronger body is also more resilient and less GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

likely to break down or get injured. Bottom line: incorporate a good overall strength training program and get strong!

3. Stay consistent Consistency is the biggest factor when it comes to truly making changes and getting lasting results. The offseason includes the holidays, potential travel, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic situation we may still be working through this offseason. Don’t let any of that slow you down or get you off track of accomplishing your off season goals. There will be obstacles that sometimes come up, days that you miss your workouts or days you just don’t feel like working out. That’s normal. But stay consistent and keep doing the work and don’t fall completely off track. Stay committed and make this the offseason that you create lasting positive changes in your body and your game.

It’ll be so worth it. And you’ll notice so many other benefits in how much better you look and feel, to go along with your longer drives and lower scores in your game.

I do generally recommend consulting with a golf fitness professional to go through a golf fitness evaluation/assessment and get a program designed specific to your needs and goals. You always want to make sure you’re doing the correct exercises and doing them safely and effectively with proper form and technique.

So with fall tournaments coming to an end and the days getting shorter, it is an ideal time for you to give your body and your fitness the upgrade you need. Now go make it happen this offseason and unleash your swing!

Clint Howard is the Owner/Director of Golf Fitness Systems and is recognized as one of the only 2X Top 50 Golf Fitness Professionals in the country

by Golf Digest. PGA Tour Pros, Oklahoma State Men’s and Women’s golf, University of Tulsa golf, and many other collegiate and high school golfers, world long drive champions, and golfers of all levels go to Clint and Golf Fitness Systems to improve their body, and their game. To learn more, go to www.

GolfFitnessSystems.com or call 918-296-7418.

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SCH E DU L E S & R E SU LTS : More at w w w.gol fok la homa.org SOUTH CENTRAL PGA YAMAHA SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP AT MUSKOGEE GC, MUSKOGEE (PAR-71) SEPT. 28-29 1, Jeff Combe 70-64 – 134 ($1,750); 2, Brad Simons 72-68 – 140 ($1,400); 3, Chris Tidland 71-70 – 141 ($1,200); 4, Mark Fuller 72-70 – 142 ($1,100); 5 (tie), Trent Rommann 73-70 – 143 and Jim Young 72-71 – 143 ($950); 7 (tie), Philip Holley 69-75 – 144 and Brent Williamson 70-74 – 144 ($775); 9 (tie), Cary Cozby 74-73 – 147 and David Guy 71-76 – 147 ($675); 11, Malachi Murphy 76-72 – 148 ($600); 12 (tie), Arthur Romero 76-73 – 149 and Derek Franco 78-71 – 149 ($525); 14, Tony Collins 76-74 – 150 ($450); 15, Shannon Friday 78-73 – 151 ($400).

COLLEGE MEN COLONIAL COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL AT COLONIAL CC, FORT WORTH, TEXAS (PAR-70) SEPT. 28-29 Team scores: 1, Oklahoma 284-273-278 – 835; 2, Texas 277-284-280 – 841; 3, Texas Tech 288-285-277 – 850; 4 (tie), Baylor 286-288289 – 863, Kansas 282-288-293 – 863 and TCU 282-295-286 – 863; 7, Kansas State 288-285294 – 867; 8, Oklahoma State 284-302-285 – 871; 9, West Virginia 295-298-300 – 893; 10, Iowa State 295-298-301 – 894.

Individual leaders: 1, Logan McAllister (OU) 72-69-66 – 207; 2 (tie), Quade Cummins (OU) 73-66-70 – 209, Pierceson Coody (Texas) 6674-69 – 209 and Harry Hiller (KU) 69-70-70 – 209; 5, Parker Coody (Texas) 72-71-67 – 210; 6 (tie), Jonathan Brightwell (OU) 70-71-70 – 211, Ben Sigel (KU) 71-69-71 – 211 and Travis Vick (Texas) 68-71-72 – 211; 9, Aymeric Laussot (TCU) 74-72-66 – 212.

Other scores: Brian Stark (OSU) 69-76-70 – 215, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (OSU) 71-7470 – 216, Patrick Welch (OU) 70-70-76 – 216, Thomas Johnson (OU) 72-74-72 – 218, Austin Eckroat (OSU) 72-79-71 – 222, Tucker Allen (OU) 72-68-83 – 223, Rasmus NeergaardPetersen (OSU) 72-78-74 – 224, Bo Jin (OSU) 78-76-74 – 228, Aman Gupta (OSU) 78-76-78 – 232.

SOUTHERN PLAINS COLLEGIATE AT GAILLARDIA CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 14-15 Team scores: 1 (tie), Bellevue 289-287-289 – 865 and Southwestern Christian 288-295-282 – 865; 3, Oklahoma City 294-289-284 – 867; 4, Kansas Wesleyan 296-298-292 – 886; 5, William Penn 312-294-307 – 913; 6, Oklahoma Wesleyan 311-317-299 – 927; 7, Dakota Wesleyan 313-307-308 – 928; 8, Doane 312-312-306 – 930; 9, Southwestern College 329-325-305 – 959; 10, Panhandle State 348-356-363 – 1,067.

Individual leaders: 1, David Meyers (OCU) 64-69-67 – 200; 2, Floris-Jan Oosterhof (Bellevue) 74-71-69 – 211; 3, Bosten Benn (OCU) 74-70-68 – 212; 4 (tie), Jose Perozo (SWC) 7371-70 – 214 and Troy Watson 74-71-69 – 214; 6, Emiel Van Geet (SWC) 73-73-69 – 215.

SCU RAISING CANE’S CLASSIC AT LAKE HEFNER GC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 8-9 Team scores: 1, Southwestern Christian 289282 – 571; 2, Kansas Wesleyan 280-292 – 572; 3, Oklahoma City 289-289 – 578; 4, Seminole State 294-289 – 583; 5, Oklahoma Wesleyan 293-292 – 585; 6, Central Baptist 287-302 – 589; 7, USAO 306-293 – 599; 8, Coffeyville 347-345 – 692.

Individual leaders: 1, Evan Stafford (Seminole) 69-69 – 138; 2, David Meyers (OCU) 67-72 – 139; 3 (tie), Emiel Van Geet (SWC) 67-73 – 140

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and Troy Watson 70-70 –140; 5, Nolan Pope 72-69 – 141.

WOMEN SCHOONER FALL CLASSIC AT BELMAR GC, NORMAN (PAR-70) SEPT. 27-29 Team leaders: 1, Texas 283-275-280 – 838; 2, Alabama 284-282-281 – 847; 3, Mississippi State 287-284-277 – 848; 4, Baylor 295-275279 – 849; 5 (tie), Florida State 289-284-277 – 850 and Illinois 290-278-282 – 850; 7, Oklahoma 282-275-296 – 853; 8, Houston 290-282284 – 856; 9, Clemson 294-281-284 – 859; 10, Texas A&M 295-286-282 – 863; 11, Miami 298285-284 – 867; 12 (tie), Louisville 290-286-292 – 868 and TCU 296-292-280 – 868; 14, Notre Dame 301-281-287 – 869; 15, Texas State 296287-295 – 878.

Individual leaders: 1 (tie), Frida Kinhult (FSU) 69-67-71 – 207 and Tristyn Nowlin (Illinois) 69-71-67 – 207; 3 (tie), Kaitlyn Papp (Texas) 70-66-72 – 208, Gurleen Kaur (Baylor) 72-6670 – 208, Bla Fernandez Garcia (Texas A&M) 72-66-70 – 208 and Ashley Gilliam (Miss. St.) 72-71-65 – 208; 7 (tie), Mikhaela Fortuna (OU) 68-67-74 – 209, Courtney Dow (Texas A&M) 71-67-71 – 209, Elodie Chapelet (Baylor) 7466-69 – 209 and Abby Heck (Notre Dame) 72-71-66 – 209.

Other OU scores: Kaitlin Milligan 67-70-73 – 210, Hannah Lee 71-69-77 – 217, Sydney Youngblood 75-69-74 – 218, Libby Winans 7669-75 – 220, Ellen Secor 74-71-77 – 222, Maria Ferna Martinez 72-73-77 – 224, Linley Ooi 77-75-72 – 224.

SOUTHERN PLAINS COLLEGIATE AT GAILLARDIA CC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 14-15 Team scores: 1, Oklahoma City 306-302 – 608; 2, Dakota Wesleyan 350-325 – 675; 3, Southwestern College 348-342 – 690; 4, Panhandle State 395-367 – 762.

Individual leaders: 1, Clair Hill (OCU) 73-74 – 147; 2, Arianna Medina (OCU) 75-77 – 152; 3, Lauren Behnken (OCU) 79-75 – 152; 4, McKenzie McCoy (OCU) 79-78 – 157; 5, Rachel Eckert (OCU) 82-76 – 158; 6, Megan Hinker (DW) 83-76 – 159.

72-64-69 – 205, Casey Fernandez 65-70-70 – 205 and Mitchell Meissner 63-69-73 – 205; 23 (tie), Scott Newton 70-69-67 – 206, Jake McCrory 67-70-69 – 206 and Austin Wylie 6967-70 – 206; 26 (tie), Blake Abercrombie 7364-70 – 207, Ian Davis 67-72-68 – 207, Mario Carmona 67-72-68 – 207 and Rylie Reinertson 67-69-71 -- 207.

OKLAHOMA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR EARLYWINE PARK FALL CLASSIC AT EARLYWINE PARK GC (NORTH), OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 26-27 BOYS 1, Tres Hill 70-62 – 132; 2 (tie), William Hennessee 73-67 – 140, Dominic Stevens 70-70 – 140 and Carson Wright 70-70 – 140; 5 (tie), Ryan Bell 72-71 – 143 and Michael Senn 74-69 -- 143; 7, Phisher Phillips 74-70 – 144; 8 (tie), Kaden Armstrong 71-74 – 145, Rhett Hughes 73-72 – 145 and Jeremy Tandoy 72-73 – 145; 11, Grant Benjamin 77-69 – 146; 12, Kolby Matthews 7770 – 147; 13 (tie), Jory Blaney 72-76 – 148 and Owen Swearingen 70-78 – 148; 15 (tie), Alex Bloxham 73-76 – 149, Gus Fritz 76-73 – 149 and Josh Stuart 77-72 – 149.

GIRLS 1, Reagan Chaney 69-68 – 137; 2, Lindyn Ross 75-73 – 148; 3, Olivia Coit 73-78 – 151; 4, Sarah Sherrard 80-72 – 152; 5, Rylee Roberts 76-77 – 153; 6, Meg Tilma 78-76 – 154; 7 (tie), Peyton Coburn 83-72 – 155; Isabella Feng 78-77 – 155 and Jaeya Mathis 78-77 – 155; 10, Aubrey House 73-84 – 157; 11, Jenna Triplett 81-77 – 158; 12, Spencer Holleyman 85-76 – 161.

SCU RAISING CANE’S CLASSIC AT LAKE HEFNER GC, OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 8-9 (RAIN-SHORTENED TO 18 HOLES) Team scores: 1, Redland 296; 2, Oklahoma City 307; 3, Kansas Wesleyan 320; 4, Bethany 328; 5, Southwestern Christian 334; 6, Sterling 359; 7, Oklahoma Wesleyan 365; 8, Seminole State 371; 9, Coffeyville 412.

Individual leaders: 1, Katie Graham (Redlands) 72; 2 (tie), Lauren Behnken (OCU), Maisie Liddell (Redlands) and Marvelyn Kartika (Redlands) 73; 5, Clair Hill (OCU) 76.

LAKE HEFNER SHOOTOUT AT LAKE HEFNER GC (NORTH), OKLA. CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 19-20 BOYS 1, Benjamin Stoller 68-63 – 131; 2, Andrew Fakult 65-68 – 133; 3, Ryder Cowan 66-70 – 136; 4 (tie), William Hennessee 68-69 – 137 and Parker Sands 65-72 – 137; 6 (tie), Tres Hill 69-69 – 138 and Phisher Phillips 70-68 – 138; 8 (tie), Jake Hopper 71-69 – 140 and Dominic Stevens 69-71 – 140; 10, Tyler Collier 70-71 – 141; 11 (tie), Bo Burton 72-70 – 142, Austin Dolan 71-71 – 142, Parker Payne 71-71 – 142, Gatlin Goad 70-72 – 142 and Michael Senn 6973 – 142.

GIRLS 1, Kate Tilma 71-67 – 138; 2, Reagan Chaney 74-70 – 144; 3, Lilly Whitley 73-74 – 147; 4 (tie), Jaiden Gregston 71-77 – 148 and Jenna Triplett 77-71 – 148; 6 (tie), Olivia Coit 72-77 – 149 and Sarah Sherrard 76-73 – 149; 8, Beans Factor 72-78 – 150; 9, Brooklyn Benn 76-75 – 151; 10 (tie), Peyton Coburn 74-79 – 153 and Lindyn Ross 78-75 – 153; 12 (tie), Meghan Charles 7678 – 154 and Lauren Pleiman 78-76 – 154.

OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION OKLAHOMA OPEN AT OAK TREE CC (EAST), EDMOND (PAR-70) AUG. 21-22 1, Andrew Hudson 67-63-67 – 197; 2 (tie), Jamey Taylor 66-67-65 – 198 and Hayden Wood 61-69-68 – 198; 4 (tie), Zach Bauchou 65-69-65 – 199, Clark Dennis 64-70-65 – 199, Logan McCracken 65-65-69 -- 199 and Chase Hanna 62-65-72 – 199; 8, Manav Shah 64-6868 – 200; 9, Cory Churchman 65-69-67 – 201; 10 (tie), Baylor Payne 72-64-66 – 202, Austin Jordan 67-67-68 – 202, Blake Trimble 67-6669 – 202 and Robert Streb 65-67-70 – 202; 14 (tie), Skyler Finnell 70-66-68 – 204, a-Jamie Voegeli 71-64-69 – 204, Reece Blair 65-68-71 – 204 and Sean Walsh 68-64-72 – 204; 18 (tie), Brax McCarthy 71-67-67 – 205, Brendon Jelley

BATTLE FOR BROKEN ARROW THE CLUB AT INDIAN SPRINGS (RIVER), BROKEN ARROW (PAR-72) SEPT. 12-13 BOYS 1, Dylan Teeter 69-64 – 133; 2, Ryder Cowan 70-64 – 134; 3, Benjamin Stoller 67-70 – 137; 4, Ryan Bell 74-67 – 141; 5, Grant Benjamin 68-73 – 141; 6, Kaden Armstrong 69-74 – 143; 7 (tie), William Hennessee 74-70 – 144 and Jesse Tandoy 69-75 – 144; 9 (tie), Buddy Wehrli 76-69 – 145 and Conner Geist 71-74 – 145; 11, Carson Wright 73-73 – 146.

GIRLS 1, Maddi Kamas 72-70 – 142; 2, Raychel Nelke 74-72 – 146; 3, Jenni Roller 77-70 – 147; 4, Sarah Sherrard 77-73 – 150; 5, Emily Vang 77-76 – 153; 6, Charlie Whorton 72-82 – 154; 7, Lindyn GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

SCH E DU L E S & R E SU LTS : More at w w w.gol fok la homa.org Ross 78-78 – 156; 8 (tie), Peyton Coburn 80-80 – 160 and Lily Stanton 79-81 – 160; 10, Reagan Chaney 79-82 – 161; 11, Gracie Doke 81-81 – 162.

JOHN CONRAD LABOR DAY CLASSIC AT JOHN CONRAD GC, MIDWEST CITY (PAR-72) SEPT. 6-7 BOYS 1, Dominic Stevens 67-69 – 136; 2, Kameron Shaw 69-71 – 140; 3, Jesse Tandoy 69-75 – 144; 4 (tie), Ryan Bell 70-75 – 145 and Drew Mabrey 69-76 – 145; 6, Buddy Wehrli 74-72 – 146; 7 (tie), Nicholas Pleiman 77-70 – 147, Austin Dolan 76-71 – 147 and Matthew Smith 73-74 – 147; 10 (tie), Alex Bloxham 73-75 – 148, Jax Brewer 75-73 – 148, Sutton McMillan 7969 – 148, Evan Kelley 74-74 – 148 and Jamen Parsons 74-74 – 148.

GIRLS 1, Anna Kate Nichols 75-67 – 142; 2, Kate Tilma 72-75 – 147; 3, Reagan Chaney 73-76 – 149; Lilly Whitley 74-75 – 149; 5, Olivia Coit, 76-74 – 150; 6, Brooklyn Benn 76-75 – 151; 7, Lindyn Ross 7182 – 153; 8, Sarah Sherrard 75-79 – 154; 9, Beans Factor 82-73 – 155; 10, Meg Tilma 82-75 – 157.

SOUTH LAKES JUNIOR SHOOTOUT AT SOUTH LAKES GC, JENKS (PAR-71) AUG. 29-30 BOYS 1, William Sides 65-62 – 127; 2, Andrew Fakult 66-68 – 134; 3 (tie), Shane Herlihy 68-69 – 137 and Parker Sands 68-69 – 137; 5, Michael Senn 70-68 – 138; 6 (tie), Jesse Tandoy 69-70 – 139 and Bryant Polhill 66-73 – 139; 8, Benjamin Stoller 71-69 – 140; 9 (tie), Jamen Parsons

GOLF OKL AHOMA • OCTOBER /NOVEMBER 2020

71-70 – 141 and Bennett Baldwin 70-71 – 141; 11 (tie), Ryan Bell 74-68 – 142, Buddy Wehrli 7270 – 142 and William Hennessee 72-70 – 142; 14 (tie), Benton Manly 71-72 – 143 and Connor Whitworth 68-75 – 143.

GIRLS 1, Olivia Coit 73-70 – 143; 2, Sarah Sherrard 76-71 – 147; 3, Mimi Hoang 77-72 – 149; 4, Lilly Whitley 74-75 – 149; 5, Jenna Triplett 75-77 – 152; 6, Lily Stanton 79-75 – 154; 7, Rylee Roberts 80-77 – 157; 8 (tie), Peyton Coburn 79-80 – 159, Gracie Doke 83-76 – 159 and Aubrey House 79-80 – 159.

KICKINGBIRD FALL CHALLENGE AT KICKINGBIRD GC, EDMOND (PAR-70) AUG. 22-23 BOYS 1, Ryan Bell 65-71 – 136; 2 (tie), Tres Hill 71-66 – 137 and Owen Swearingen 71-66 – 137; 4 (tie), Sutton McMillan 71-67 – 138 and Dominic Stevens 70-68 – 138; 6 (tie), Ryder Cowan 65-74 – 139; 7, Bryant Polhill 71-69 – 140, Asher Whitaker 71-69 – 140 and Kolby Matthews 69-71 – 140; 10 (tie), Preston Albee 71-70 – 141, Buddy Wehrli 74-67 – 141 and Alex Bloxham 66-75 – 141; 13 (tie), Kolby Legg 72-70 – 142 and Alexander Apolskis 71-71 – 142; 155, Sam Morris 69-74 – 143.

GIRLS 1, Maddi Kamas 73-68 – 141; 2, Olivia Coit 72-73 – 145; 3, Kate Tilma 74-72 – 146; 4, Lilly Whitley 71-75 – 146; 5, Jenni Roller 74-73 – 147; 6, Jenna Triplett 73-75 – 148; 7, Reagan Chaney 76-74 – 150; 8, Meg Tilma 79-73 – 152; 9, Lindyn Ross 83-74 – 157; 10, Sarah Sherrard 80-78 – 158.

BAILEY RANCH BASH EVENT AT BAILEY RANCH GC, OWASSO (PAR-72) AUG. 15-16 BOYS 1, Phisher Phillips 69-67 – 136; 2, Rhett South 6771 – 138; 3, Benjamin Stoller 70-69 – 139; 4, Dylan Teeter 66-74 – 140; 5, Hayden Hall 74-67 – 141; 6 (tie), Jack Gero 71-71 – 142 and William Hennessee 71-71 – 142; 8, Sutton McMillan 75-68 – 143; 9 (tie), Ryan Bell 74-71 – 145, Bennett Baldwin 72-73 – 145 and Cole Luber 75-70 -- 145; 12 (tie), Benton Manly 72-75 – 147, Alex Bloxham 72-75 – 147, Tyler Collier 72-75 -- 147 and Carson Blaser 71-76 – 147.

GIRLS 1, Anna Kate Nichols 70-75 – 145; 2, Grace Kilcrease 73-74 – 147; 3, Sarah Sherrard 73-75 – 148; 4, Olivia Coit 76-75 – 151; 5, Charlie Whorton 76-78 – 154; 6, Mimi Hoang 79-76 – 155; 7, Emily Vang 84-74 – 158; 8, Aubrey House 85-79 – 164; 9, Beans Factor 85-80 – 165; 10, Brianna Maddux 86-80 – 166.

KICKOFF CLASSIC AT LINCOLN PARK, OKLA. CITY (PAR-70) AUG. 8-9 BOYS 1, Tres Hill 71-64 – 135 (won playoff); 2, Matthew Smith 64-71 – 135; 3 (tie), Jeremy Tandoy 71-67 – 138 and Andrew Fakult 69-69 – 138; 5, Carson Wright 71-68 – 139; 6, Ryan Bell 72-70 – 142; 7 (tie), Bo Gentry 72-71—143, Jory Blaney 72-71 – 143, Jesse Tandoy 74-69 – 143, Sam Morris 71-72 – 143, Parker Payne 71-72 – 143 and Kolby Matthews 70-73 – 143; 13, Whit Powers 73-71 – 144; 14 (tie), Kolby Legg 73-72 – 145 and Kyle McLaughlin 71-74 – 145.

GIRLS 1, Reagan Chaney 69-71 – 140; 2, Lilly Whitley 76-67 – 143; 3 (tie), Anna Kate Nichols 76-72 – 148 and Lois Deeter 70-78 – 148; 5, Olivia Coit 76-74 – 150; 6, Sarah Sherrard 76-77 – 153; 7, Lindyn Ross 75-80 –155; 8 (tie), Jaeya Mathis 86-72 – 158 and Jaiden Gregston 79-79 – 158; 10, Aiden Coffelt 81-78 – 159.

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