By Billy Condon
A gap wedge stuck to one foot on the 18th hole secured Kevin Foley a spot in tomorrow's final 36 holes of play at the Ike Championship. Foley, the 2008 Ike champion, finished on the cut line with a 76 as his clutch wedge game helped him.
As clutch as Foley's shot was, 2008 MGA Jerry Courville Player of the Year Joe Saladino upstaged Foley by draining his approach shot on 18 for an eagle two. Saladino was in between clubs but decided on his 60 degree wedge and dunked the shot.
As the day's action comes to a close, a total of 47 players made the cut for the tournament's 36-hole second day, which is sure to contain even more excitement as the area's top amateur's compete for the coveted Ike trophy.
June 30, 2009
Nassau's Ace
By Billy Condon
The excitement of the Ike has brought many Nassau members out to witness the golf, including the club's most celebrated and longest-standing member, Jim Tingley. I was able to chat with Mr. Tingley about his fantastic accomplishments on the golf course as well as his thoughts on this year's Ike. Now in his 52nd year as a member of Nassau, Tingley has to his credit an unfathomable twenty holes-in-one throughout his golf career. That number trumps Jack Nicklaus's 18 career aces. In fact, the two have been in correspondence regarding their friendly hole-in-one contest. The 90-year-old Tingley has five club championships to his name at Nassau and of the twenty aces, ten of those occurred at his home course, including five on the fifth hole, with his most recent occurring in 2007 at the age of 88.
Tingley was also singled out by President Clinton on his trip to Nassau last year when the President had received word of Tingley's aces and requested that Tingley accompany him in a photo on the first tee that Tingley now proudly has in his possession.
However, the hole-in-one race was not the first time that Nicklaus and Tingley crossed paths. They actually played a practice round together for the 1961 U.S. Amateur held at Pebble Beach. Nicklaus went on to win the championship.
In regards to the Ike, Tingley was impressed with the morning rounds of 68, 69 and 70. "It's a tough par-70, and any scores under par are something to be proud of," stated Tingley, who has served on the MGA Executive Committee. Between the great golf and legendary spectators, the 2009 Ike is off to a great start.
The excitement of the Ike has brought many Nassau members out to witness the golf, including the club's most celebrated and longest-standing member, Jim Tingley. I was able to chat with Mr. Tingley about his fantastic accomplishments on the golf course as well as his thoughts on this year's Ike. Now in his 52nd year as a member of Nassau, Tingley has to his credit an unfathomable twenty holes-in-one throughout his golf career. That number trumps Jack Nicklaus's 18 career aces. In fact, the two have been in correspondence regarding their friendly hole-in-one contest. The 90-year-old Tingley has five club championships to his name at Nassau and of the twenty aces, ten of those occurred at his home course, including five on the fifth hole, with his most recent occurring in 2007 at the age of 88.
Tingley was also singled out by President Clinton on his trip to Nassau last year when the President had received word of Tingley's aces and requested that Tingley accompany him in a photo on the first tee that Tingley now proudly has in his possession.
However, the hole-in-one race was not the first time that Nicklaus and Tingley crossed paths. They actually played a practice round together for the 1961 U.S. Amateur held at Pebble Beach. Nicklaus went on to win the championship.
In regards to the Ike, Tingley was impressed with the morning rounds of 68, 69 and 70. "It's a tough par-70, and any scores under par are something to be proud of," stated Tingley, who has served on the MGA Executive Committee. Between the great golf and legendary spectators, the 2009 Ike is off to a great start.
History Repeating Itself?
By Billy Condon
Now that the morning players have finished up, the low round of the day so far is Hal Berman's 68. Also coming in low were Ken Bakst of Friar's Head with a 69, tying Al Falussy, and Michael Ballo Jr. of Woodway came in with a 70. Many of the players that have gone low have championship ties to Nassau. Berman and Falussy have each won the Nassau Invitational (2008 & 1996, respectively) while Bakst won the 1996 Met Amateur at the historic course.
The wind has picked up for the afternoon competitors and will challenge the likes of 2008 Ike champion Kevin Foley, 2008 MGA Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Joe Saladino and 2008 MGA Mid-Amateur champion Greg Rohlf.
Now that the morning players have finished up, the low round of the day so far is Hal Berman's 68. Also coming in low were Ken Bakst of Friar's Head with a 69, tying Al Falussy, and Michael Ballo Jr. of Woodway came in with a 70. Many of the players that have gone low have championship ties to Nassau. Berman and Falussy have each won the Nassau Invitational (2008 & 1996, respectively) while Bakst won the 1996 Met Amateur at the historic course.
The wind has picked up for the afternoon competitors and will challenge the likes of 2008 Ike champion Kevin Foley, 2008 MGA Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Joe Saladino and 2008 MGA Mid-Amateur champion Greg Rohlf.
Falussy: The Greens are Spectactular
By Billy Condon
The 54th Ike Championship is well underway at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. The sun is shining and the putts are dropping as the morning wave of competitors finish their rounds. The low round so far is a 69 posted by Al Falussy of Bethpage. On his one-under par performance, Falussy said that although he had "bookend bogeys on one and eighteen, I was able to include three birdies in between." No stranger to Nassau, having won the 1996 Nassau Invitational, Falussy is playing confident and after a swing change a few weeks ago, "I can now feel my swing coming together." Falussy also raved about the condition of the course, including the "spectacular greens, the best I've seen," and that by keeping the ball below the hole, he was able to capitalize on those birdie putts. With the tees moved up a bit on the par threes Falussy expects that tomorrow's golf will play two to three strokes tougher.
Another player stroking the ball well is Connor Monaghan of North Fork. Monaghan fired a 32 on the front nine but cooled off a bit on the back, coming in at 73. Peter Herzog of the Sterling Farms Mens Club shot a two-over 72.
Stay tuned as players such as Hal Berman of Middle Bay and Mike Ballo Jr. of Woodway finish up their morning rounds shortly.
The 54th Ike Championship is well underway at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. The sun is shining and the putts are dropping as the morning wave of competitors finish their rounds. The low round so far is a 69 posted by Al Falussy of Bethpage. On his one-under par performance, Falussy said that although he had "bookend bogeys on one and eighteen, I was able to include three birdies in between." No stranger to Nassau, having won the 1996 Nassau Invitational, Falussy is playing confident and after a swing change a few weeks ago, "I can now feel my swing coming together." Falussy also raved about the condition of the course, including the "spectacular greens, the best I've seen," and that by keeping the ball below the hole, he was able to capitalize on those birdie putts. With the tees moved up a bit on the par threes Falussy expects that tomorrow's golf will play two to three strokes tougher.
Another player stroking the ball well is Connor Monaghan of North Fork. Monaghan fired a 32 on the front nine but cooled off a bit on the back, coming in at 73. Peter Herzog of the Sterling Farms Mens Club shot a two-over 72.
Stay tuned as players such as Hal Berman of Middle Bay and Mike Ballo Jr. of Woodway finish up their morning rounds shortly.
June 22, 2009
Bethpage Regulars Know: 15 is a Beast
By Greg Midland
Much has been made during U.S. Open week about the difficult stretch of holes 5 through 12. But the statistics show what any regular player at Bethpage could tell you: the 15th is the Black Course's biggest backbreaker. Just a few minutes ago, this 459-yard, uphill beast derailed Tiger's rally after his back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, as Woods made a bad bogey after hitting a solid drive and having only 175 to the green. While we mere mortals would have a hard time hitting an uphill shot of that length on the green, you don't expect to see Tiger blow a 5-iron over the green into the thick bluegrass rough, as he did. It just goes to show that when the players cross Round Swamp Road, they are faced with the toughest test on the Black.
Much has been made during U.S. Open week about the difficult stretch of holes 5 through 12. But the statistics show what any regular player at Bethpage could tell you: the 15th is the Black Course's biggest backbreaker. Just a few minutes ago, this 459-yard, uphill beast derailed Tiger's rally after his back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, as Woods made a bad bogey after hitting a solid drive and having only 175 to the green. While we mere mortals would have a hard time hitting an uphill shot of that length on the green, you don't expect to see Tiger blow a 5-iron over the green into the thick bluegrass rough, as he did. It just goes to show that when the players cross Round Swamp Road, they are faced with the toughest test on the Black.
June 21, 2009
What A Ride for Farren
By Billy Condon
I got the chance to catch up with Sean Farren after what would be his final round of the 2009 U.S. Open on Saturday. Farren, who posted a 80-75-155 missed the cut but remained positive as he discussed the awesome experience. "It was great, just great" replied Farren regarding his first U.S. Open as a competitor. "It was long and I left a few shots out there, but it is very scorable for those guys." When asked about the course conditions and how much it affected his play, Farren admitted that it was a bit soggy out there, but he feels that it was the length of the course that was the toughest challenge. "I don't hit the ball far enough like these other guys, holes like 5, 10 and 12 I had to play as par fives - it definitely is a bomber's paradise out there. On more than a few holes Farren was forced to hit hybrids into greens where others were coming in with 7 and 8 irons.
But it has been a fairy tale week for the head pro from the Creek Club, and Farren commented on how great a lifestyle these professional golfers lead as he was able to live it for a week. "Being able to play the best golf courses in the world and get paid for it, it's like Christmas every day - the food, the transportation and just how they are treated in general.
Farren was also impressed with how nice the other golfers were, especially after having a friendly chat with Jim Furyk, who asked about the Creek and the history behind the fantastic course. Farren also believes he was a little bit of luck for some of the guys who have been on their A game this week, having played with Lucas Glover, Todd Hamilton and Matt Bettencourt all at some point during the week.
Farren stated that in regards to playing in a U.S. Open, "anyone who loves golf should be able to experience this once in their lifetime. If I had the chance to do this again, I would give it up for someone else to have the chance."
When asked if he was going to stick around to see the outcome of the Open, Farren said that he has to go back to work on Sunday now that he doesn't have the Open as an excuse. Regardless, Sean Farren can always look back on the fact that not only did he qualify, he was able to play golf on Saturday at the U.S. Open in front of friends, family and strangers who embraced him as their hometown guy.
I got the chance to catch up with Sean Farren after what would be his final round of the 2009 U.S. Open on Saturday. Farren, who posted a 80-75-155 missed the cut but remained positive as he discussed the awesome experience. "It was great, just great" replied Farren regarding his first U.S. Open as a competitor. "It was long and I left a few shots out there, but it is very scorable for those guys." When asked about the course conditions and how much it affected his play, Farren admitted that it was a bit soggy out there, but he feels that it was the length of the course that was the toughest challenge. "I don't hit the ball far enough like these other guys, holes like 5, 10 and 12 I had to play as par fives - it definitely is a bomber's paradise out there. On more than a few holes Farren was forced to hit hybrids into greens where others were coming in with 7 and 8 irons.
But it has been a fairy tale week for the head pro from the Creek Club, and Farren commented on how great a lifestyle these professional golfers lead as he was able to live it for a week. "Being able to play the best golf courses in the world and get paid for it, it's like Christmas every day - the food, the transportation and just how they are treated in general.
Farren was also impressed with how nice the other golfers were, especially after having a friendly chat with Jim Furyk, who asked about the Creek and the history behind the fantastic course. Farren also believes he was a little bit of luck for some of the guys who have been on their A game this week, having played with Lucas Glover, Todd Hamilton and Matt Bettencourt all at some point during the week.
Farren stated that in regards to playing in a U.S. Open, "anyone who loves golf should be able to experience this once in their lifetime. If I had the chance to do this again, I would give it up for someone else to have the chance."
When asked if he was going to stick around to see the outcome of the Open, Farren said that he has to go back to work on Sunday now that he doesn't have the Open as an excuse. Regardless, Sean Farren can always look back on the fact that not only did he qualify, he was able to play golf on Saturday at the U.S. Open in front of friends, family and strangers who embraced him as their hometown guy.
June 20, 2009
Amateurs Making Their Mark
By Greg Midland
Most players in the U.S. Open are playing for prize money -- plenty of it, in fact. But the amateurs in this year's field are having a good time, too. Three amateurs made the cut, and one of them, 21-year-old Nick Taylor of British Columbia, is legitimately in contention at 2-under-par 138. Drew Weaver, the 22-year-old who won the British Amateur in 2007 and is a graduate of Virginia Tech, is particularly animated with the crowds, who are eating it up. The third amateur to make the cut is 21-year-old Kyle Stanley of Clemson.
Most players in the U.S. Open are playing for prize money -- plenty of it, in fact. But the amateurs in this year's field are having a good time, too. Three amateurs made the cut, and one of them, 21-year-old Nick Taylor of British Columbia, is legitimately in contention at 2-under-par 138. Drew Weaver, the 22-year-old who won the British Amateur in 2007 and is a graduate of Virginia Tech, is particularly animated with the crowds, who are eating it up. The third amateur to make the cut is 21-year-old Kyle Stanley of Clemson.
MGA Folks Inside the Ropes
By Greg Midland
The USGA has a strong relationship with the state and regional golf associations, and the affiliation with the MGA is particularly strong. A few MGA staffers have had large roles inside the ropes at the U.S. Open. Here's a summary:
--On Thursday, longtime MGA Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland was the walking Rules official with the Tiger Woods/Angel Cabrera/Padraig Harrington group.
--On Friday, MGA Executive Director Jay Mottola was an observer walking with the Phil Mickelson/Ernie Els/Retief Goosen group.
--On Saturday, Mottola observed for the Woods/Cabrera/Harrington group.
--All three championship days thus far, MGA Assistant Tournament Director Brian Farrelly has assisted the NBC television crew with equipment out on the course. On Saturday, Farrelly was assigned to the Woods/Cabrera/Harrington group in the morning, and then went back out at the end of the day for the Woods/Romero third-round pairing.
These three members of the MGA staff played key roles in the U.S. Open, demonstrating that these championships could not run without the help of volunteers. Farrelly described his experience helping NBC as "unbelievable, far over my expectations," and said that he helped with everything from driving a cart that had camera equipment on it to holding cables.
The USGA has a strong relationship with the state and regional golf associations, and the affiliation with the MGA is particularly strong. A few MGA staffers have had large roles inside the ropes at the U.S. Open. Here's a summary:
--On Thursday, longtime MGA Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland was the walking Rules official with the Tiger Woods/Angel Cabrera/Padraig Harrington group.
--On Friday, MGA Executive Director Jay Mottola was an observer walking with the Phil Mickelson/Ernie Els/Retief Goosen group.
--On Saturday, Mottola observed for the Woods/Cabrera/Harrington group.
--All three championship days thus far, MGA Assistant Tournament Director Brian Farrelly has assisted the NBC television crew with equipment out on the course. On Saturday, Farrelly was assigned to the Woods/Cabrera/Harrington group in the morning, and then went back out at the end of the day for the Woods/Romero third-round pairing.
These three members of the MGA staff played key roles in the U.S. Open, demonstrating that these championships could not run without the help of volunteers. Farrelly described his experience helping NBC as "unbelievable, far over my expectations," and said that he helped with everything from driving a cart that had camera equipment on it to holding cables.
June 19, 2009
A Walk to Remember
By Billy Condon
I arrived to Bethpage this afternoon and as the sun poured down, there was one thing that kept drawing my attention - feet. The heavy rains that doused Bethpage yesterday made for quite the mudfest today and the New York fans were up to the challenge...well...most were. Some of the more creative and smart solutions to the muddy mess I encountered were a few gentlemen who had tied plastic bags around their feet and up their lower legs. Another man wore plastic bags around his socks inside his shoes. Others wore mid-calf rubber galoshes while another wore crocs.
Some of the footwear blunders of the day included a frequency of sandals, including ones that someone had given up on and abandoned in the sticky swamp that was the gallery walkways. And with the mud kicking up the back of legs, the sundresses that were being sported today turned out to be a big mistake.
With the expected precipitation tomorrow, it again looks like proper footwear will be a must as today's sun managed to not dry out the mud, but turn it into a pine tar-esque paste. Alas, it will take more than a little rain and mud to quiet the rambunctious fans as cheers, boos, laughs and gaffs continue to echo through the grounds of the Black.
I arrived to Bethpage this afternoon and as the sun poured down, there was one thing that kept drawing my attention - feet. The heavy rains that doused Bethpage yesterday made for quite the mudfest today and the New York fans were up to the challenge...well...most were. Some of the more creative and smart solutions to the muddy mess I encountered were a few gentlemen who had tied plastic bags around their feet and up their lower legs. Another man wore plastic bags around his socks inside his shoes. Others wore mid-calf rubber galoshes while another wore crocs.
Some of the footwear blunders of the day included a frequency of sandals, including ones that someone had given up on and abandoned in the sticky swamp that was the gallery walkways. And with the mud kicking up the back of legs, the sundresses that were being sported today turned out to be a big mistake.
With the expected precipitation tomorrow, it again looks like proper footwear will be a must as today's sun managed to not dry out the mud, but turn it into a pine tar-esque paste. Alas, it will take more than a little rain and mud to quiet the rambunctious fans as cheers, boos, laughs and gaffs continue to echo through the grounds of the Black.
Sun! And a Ticket Policy Change
By Greg Midland
You'd be forgiven if you turned on the TV coverage of the U.S. Open and been confused as to what was producing the bright light that is actually creating shadows on the wet ground. That's right, the sun has come out at Bethpage Black! Even for those of us who put our sunglasses away for the week, this is a very happy occurence.
Unfortunately, this bright cloud has a dark lining. Rain is in the forecast again tomorrow, and unless we get lucky, it's going to be nearly impossible to finish 72 holes by Sunday evening. It's looking like the first non-playoff Monday finish since 1983 at Oakmont.
If that happens, USGA Executive Director David Fay announced this morning that fans who were disappointed following yesterday's postponement of play will be able to use their Thursday tickets on Monday. To the USGA's credit, they responded to widespread criticism by fans and the media regarding, as Fay put it, the "vague yet rigid" ticket policy.
You'd be forgiven if you turned on the TV coverage of the U.S. Open and been confused as to what was producing the bright light that is actually creating shadows on the wet ground. That's right, the sun has come out at Bethpage Black! Even for those of us who put our sunglasses away for the week, this is a very happy occurence.
Unfortunately, this bright cloud has a dark lining. Rain is in the forecast again tomorrow, and unless we get lucky, it's going to be nearly impossible to finish 72 holes by Sunday evening. It's looking like the first non-playoff Monday finish since 1983 at Oakmont.
If that happens, USGA Executive Director David Fay announced this morning that fans who were disappointed following yesterday's postponement of play will be able to use their Thursday tickets on Monday. To the USGA's credit, they responded to widespread criticism by fans and the media regarding, as Fay put it, the "vague yet rigid" ticket policy.
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