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The Back Nine, June 13th - 101.1 ESPN
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Updated: Sat 6/13/2009 10:13 pm
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June 13th - Well can we say it? Does Tiger's performance last weekend at The Memorial do enough to move the discussion away from "Is Tiger Back"? He's back and while he isn't the same Tiger he was before the surgery, it's likely in the next 6 to 8 months we'll be talking about how the new Tiger is better than what we came to know and love before his extended absence in 2008. His performance on a difficult golf course at The Memorial was simply amazing. He's now won twice in 2008, made a run at the year's first major championship and is poised to repeat as the U.S. Open Champion if he hits it anything like he did last week.
The Country Club at St. Albans welcomed a new General Manager a few months back. Skip Avery comes to St. Albans from The Nakoma Club in Wisconsin in preparation for the Club hosting the 2009 USGA Men's State Team Championship, September 23-25. Skip is one of the Club Manager's Association of America's most talented executives and the St. Louis area is fortunate to have him as part of our golf community. To host a USGA Men's State Team Championship is quite the undertaking and a lot of hard work has already been put in by the dedicated staff at The Country Club at St. Albans, specifically Head Golf Professional, Joe Schwent and Golf Course Superintendent, Bill Ashby and their respective teams. And more work lies ahead and this includes the efforts of many volunteers. Look for more information about the USGA Men's State Team Championship online at http://www.espnbacknine.com. Listen to our interview with Skip - HERE.
What's unique about the U.S. Open Championship is that anyone with a handicap meeting the requirements of the event is eligible to attempt to qualify via local and sectional qualifying. Inevitably, we're going to see some high scores fired from some of these qualifiers as they will find themselves in an environment they've never experienced before competing in conditions like they've never seen. Just imagine warming up for a round and two stalls down is Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia or even Tiger Woods. And then you step up to the first tee at Bethpage Black and they introduce your name and you're expected to pull the club back and get the ball airborn. PGA Professional, Skip Maiwald joined the show this morning to talk us through how golfers should approach situations like this. Realizing golfer's find themselves out of their element at times, Skip's insight may prove helpful as you prepare for your next big round of golf. Listen HERE.
Gary Van Sickle, Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated, is a fine player in his own right. But most of Gary's time is spent covering the game these days, except when he is supporting his son, Mike Van Sickle. Mike was one of college golf's best talents and will now be focusing his attention on making the Walker Cup Team and a successful professional career. Gary provided some interesting thoughts on Tiger Woods, the prospects of anyone beating him next week at Bethpage and what makes Tiger so different. Listen HERE.
We offered up our first triva question of the year this morning and encouraged listeners to text in their response to 61837. Put this text number in your telephone because you may very well want to chime in the next time we offer up a triva question and prize. This week's prize was golf for four at Aberdeen Golf Club in Eureka, MO. The question was - Tom Watson won four Missouri Amateur Championships, his first being at the site of the 2009 Missouri Amateur at St. Joseph Country Club. Watson won his four titles within a five year span, winning in 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971. Who was the player to win the Missouri Amateur Championship in 1969, breaking Watson's string of titles? The answer is - Scott Bess. Troy had the great idea to get Scott to join the show next week, so Scott if you are out there; we'll be calling this week.
If you haven't been able to listen in on Saturday morning, we encourage you to dial in 101.1 FM, ESPN each Saturday 8am - 10am CST. If you have anything in particular you would like to see discussed, email us at mail@espnbacknine.com.
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