It’s That Time of Year
A moment in time to reflect on what was and what may be........For many, 2008 was a year of uncertainty and struggle – on and off the golf course. History was made with the first African American elected to the office of President of the United States. The U.S. economy is as bad as many of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. Michael Phelps dominated the cover of Sports Illustrated. Tiger Woods electrified the golfing world winning the U.S. Open on essentially one leg and then disappeared to rehab what was a more serious injury than many understood at the time. Annika Sorenstam said goodbye, at least for now. Greg Norman resurfaced on the golf scene and this time with a Tennis star by his side. We were introduced to Anthony, Boo, J.B. and Hunter. Michelle Wie has a home on the LPGA Tour.
So what’s in store for 2009? We’ll offer up this for thought. Share your thoughts on the upcoming season - visit the Golfers Network Message Boards at www.golfersnetworkusa.com/forums.
John Daly: Disappear. Go away and come back another day. We like you John, but we need you to like you.
Tiger Woods: Do what you always seem to do, the impossible. Win at Augusta in 2009. After a lengthy absence from competitive golf, come back better (how that is possible, only Tiger knows).
Retief Goosen: Return. Where are you? How does someone so good, disappear so quickly? Goosen hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since the ’05 International and is currently ranked 45th in the world. You’re better than that Retief.
Ernie Els: Continue. Your efforts raising awareness for Autismare commendable. It brings to light something we often forget; these guys are good, but these guys are real people with real life challenges. Els won the Honda Classic in 2008 and then revealed his son, Ben, had autism. Look for Ernie to celebrate turning 40 by having a big 2009.
Michelle Wie: Become your own person, make your own decisions and take your time growing up. The LPGA tour needs you, but don’t take it upon yourself to save Women’s professional golf. Enjoy Stanford, enjoy being a teenager.
K.J. Choi – Can we give this guy some respect? Look for him to get off to another great start in 2009. He won the Sony Open in Hawaii last year, giving him 7 tour titles and placing him in elite company - - only Tiger, Vijay and Phil have won at least one time in the last four years.
A.K. – Please be for real. Tiger thinks you are. Sergio knows you are (see the Ryder Cup for any proof needed). You think you are. We sure hope you are, because the game needs someone to push the greatest player of all time.
Now for a little local flavor…….
Scott Hovis – Find a way to have your game ready for the USGA Men’s State Team Championship. Come September of 2009, the top amateurs from around the country will be teeing it up at St. Albans Country Club. The event is held every other year and in 2007 the team from Texas protected their home turf winning at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, TX. Trip Kuehne led team Texas and we’ll be looking for a few Mid Amateurs to lead Missouri. Ben Godwin, B.J. Curry and Darren Lundgren represented Missouri in 2007. In 2009, look for Skip Berkmeyer and Darren Lundgren to fill two of the three spots and here’s a nod towards Hovis filling the third position.
Another Scott…..this time its Thomas and we’re talking about and its golf’s second life. Thomas turned 50 in 2008 and immediately took control of the senior circuit, winning the Missouri Senior Amateur, St. Louis District Senior and Metropolitan Senior Amateur in route to claiming Metropolitan Player of the Year honors. Look for Scott Thomas to continue his winning ways and don’t be shocked if he sprinkles a win or two in the regular division in 2009.
And yet another Scott……as in Scott Langley. The University of Illinois and Coach Mike Small saw the potential in the St. Louis native and has Langley ever delivered. Ranked among the countries top collegiate players; Langley as the Fighting Illini thinking about a national championship in 2009. Langley’s summer amateur golf schedule will be something to keep an eye on, as he could be Berkmeyer’s top challenger for Player of the Year if he plays enough locally.
It's the year of the USGA in 2009. Actually we could include 2008 in this as well, as we saw MAGA Executive Director assume a position on the USGA Executive Committee. In 2009 St. Louis welcomes the U.S. Women's Amateur to town and Old Warson Country Club is the host. August 3-9, the world's top female amateur golfers will be enduring the hot St. Louis summer competing for their national championship. I mentioned earlier the USGA Men's State Team Championship being played at St. Albans CC in September. Here's to a few local players making some noise in these national championships.
