TSG NEWS TICKER
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Something big is coming. Really big. Perhaps the biggest golf event in our lifetimes will begin in just four months when venerable Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. hosts the U.S. Open (June 10-16). USGA Executive Director Mike Davis has dubbed the 2013 tournament a “boutique” Open because everything from the crowds to the overall yardage (6,996) of the golf course will be much scaled down to we’re all used to seeing at an Open. But for many of us, there will be nothing small about it. The baby boomer generation may remember Merion’s last U.S. Open in 1981 but the rest of us haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing something like what’s to come. Sure the SEI Pennsylvania Classic at Waynesborough CC was okay and the AT&T National at Aronimink GC was a lot of fun. But come on? We’re talking about a major here, in our very own backyard, at one of the world’s most-heralded courses. We’re talking Tiger, Phil, Rory, Bubba. All on the Main Line. All, believe it or not, at Merion for the very first time. Who do you think will be more excited? Us or them? It’s going to be REALLY big so to commemorate the historic event, we’re putting together what will surely be the most comprehensive, informative guide to the 2013 Open that will be published. We’ll have complete breakdowns of all 18 holes by PGA professionals, the stories behind those famous wicker baskets and what many refer to as “the best logo in golf,” our recommendations (for those fortunate enough to have tickets) on where to watch the action, and much more. Go to www. tristategolfer.com for more information including how you can get your hands on a copy come spring…2013 is actually the second year in a five-year stretch in which a USGA national event will be held in the tri-state area. The USGA Men’s State Team Championship was played at Galloway National Golf Club in Galloway, N.J. back in September, the U.S. Mid-Amateur comes to Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, Pa. in Sept. 2014, the U.S. Women’s Open will be held at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pa. in July 2015 and then Rolling Green GC in Springfield, Pa. hosts the U.S. Women’s Amateur in August 2016...We’ve talked about the struggling economy’s impact on golf before and how even though we hate to see clubs suffer, one benefit for the public golfer is that many clubs seek to generate revenue by opening its doors to the public. The latest to turn semi-private is The Links Golf Club in Marlton, N.J., one of only two courses in the country designed by Englishman Fred Hawtree, who also penned nine-time Open Championship host Royal Birkdale GC in Southport, England…Much talk has been made in the last couple of years about the youth movement on the PGA Tour (Rory, Rickie, DJ, Webb, etc.), but professional golf in the tri-state area continues to be dominated by soon-to-be 53-year-old Stu Ingraham, the PGA head professional at MGOLF Driving Range & Learning Facility in Newtown Square, Pa. In 2012, Ingraham became the first professional in the 90-year history of the Philadelphia Section PGA to finish first in races for the Player of the Year, Senior Player of the Year and the Debaufre Scoring Average. Ingraham captured seven titles last year including both the Philadelphia Senior PGA Championship and the Philadelphia PGA Professional Championship. Congrats on an outstanding season! —TSG
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