TheState.com: Golf

Golf at Rawls Creek: Back from the fringe

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:42 EDT

The first time Sam Painter saw the site of his future home, in 1981, he was playing the 15th hole at Irmo’s Coldstream Country Club. Painter, a lawyer in his mid-30s, soon made an offer to developer Stuart Mungo for the lot.

“At first, Stuart said (the offer) wasn’t enough,” Painter, 62, said, and laughed. “Later he came back and said, ‘Is that cash?’ ”

For more than a quarter century, Painter has lived a stone’s throw from the 15th green. He watched as time and trouble ravaged the golf course. Two years ago, the fairways were jungles of ironweed towering 6 feet or higher.

Today, Painter points to his house from the neatly mown fairway of the sixth hole at the renamed Club at Rawls Creek. He can’t help but smile at the change — and not just in the extreme.

“All those (27) years, I don’t recall the fairway, the bunkers or the green looking any better than right now,” he said.

Golf book review: “In the Spirit of the Game: Golf’s Greatest Stories”

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:52 EDT

Matthew E. Adams The Lyons Press, Guilford, Conn. 202 pages $24.95 paperback

Matthew Adams has quite the resume: reporter for Golf Channel, former ESPN employee, expert in golf equipment and history and (according to his publicity flier) a "New York Times best-selling author." The last description comes from his authorship of two books in the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, which lets you know he's an upbeat kind of guy.

His telling of some of golf's favorite stories is predictably uplifting, if hardly enlightening. Most have been done before, and in more depth: Tiger Woods' "Tiger Slam" (holding all four major titles at once), Gary Player's harsh youth-to-champion story, even Billy Casper's allergy-driven consumption of exotic foods (his nickname, "Buffalo Bill," came from his fondness for buffalo meat). Lesser known is the tale of John Shippen, the first black man (and for a half-century, the only one) to play in a U.S. Open, in 1896.

The stories are, for the most part, recounted as part of Adams' belief that golf is a metaphor for life. As such, the book offers a wide-ranging view of the game's history but not the in-depth treatment of more focused works. It is the ultimate light bedtime reading for golf fans seeking a nice, warm feeling before turning out the light.

If you want insights beyond the surface, look elsewhere. But for a casual overview, Adams' work will suffice, though it seems a bit pricey for what it delivers. If you have a youngster just getting into golf, this is a good choice: an easy, no-fuss read that will, perhaps, make him eager to learn more.

Golf notes

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:06 EDT

After a quarter-century of building, repairing and fitting golf clubs to players, Gene Sprayberry decided it was time for another favorite project: His grandchildren.

“I wanted to step back and have some time with them,” he said of Cole (16), Justina (15) and Nash (9) Thornton.

Sprayberry, who spent the past 13 years as owner of The Golf Stop (1600 Garner Lane, adjacent to Riverside Golf Center), is not quitting club work cold turkey, though. He will continue to tweak equipment for members of the USC men’s and women’s golf teams.

And he’s “fixing up a house in the back” at his home (208 Darby Lane in West Columbia) for a shop, where he will “do stuff for my loyal customers,” he said. Sprayberry has had a few of those in his 72 years.

A former club professional in Ruston, La., Sprayberry began club-fitting at his shop in West Columbia’s Triangle City. After six years, former Riverside owner John Summers lured him by building a facility next to the par-3 and driving range off I-20.

Golf: Five Things I Know

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:53 EDT

KENTUCKY KENNY A RYDER LOCK

Meet Kenny Perry, the second all-but-guaranteed member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, joining Phil Mickelson and not counting Tiger Woods, whose knee surgery makes him a candidate to serve as an assistant captain to Paul Azinger. Though Perry, who won his second Buick Open, will skip a second consecutive major (British Open) to play in Milwaukee, he is set for Valhalla, the Ryder Cup site less than an hour from his old Kentucky home.

MY PUTTER, MY ... FRIEND?

What a great TV shot at the Buick Open: Woody Austin, kissing his putter; not quite his Presidents Cup "Aquaman" shtick, but close. That was a double dose of irony: Before his lake-diving stunt, Austin was best known for bending a putter by slamming it against his head years ago at the Verizon Heritage. Maybe Woody gave it too much love too soon, though: He three-putted Sunday's last two holes for bogeys and lost by a shot.

AMAZING ANNIKA

Golf: Clemente applies lessons to the course

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:39 EDT

Ben Ross swings his driver and watches as his ball soars far down the right side of the first fairway at West Columbia’s Charwood Country Club.

“That should be pretty good, unless I hit it through the fairway,” the 19-year-old said.

Moments later, he watches as Odette Clemente, with instructor Brad Frick observing, hits her tee shot from the forward (women’s) tees. Ross merely shrugs when they arrive at their respective shots — and discover she has outdriven him.

“That’s where I’ve seen the most improvement, on her tee shots,” Ross said.

In the latest stage of Frick’s year-long project to turn Clemente, 21, from a novice to a single-digit handicap player, the former USC student is playing more rounds and spending less time on the range. As part of her development, it is no longer enough for her to pound practice balls, Frick said.

Clemson golfer finds winning swing

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:37 EDT

The situation is one Phillip Mollica has thought about, wondered about. It bothers him, he says, in a “what’s-the-deal-with-THAT?” sort of way.

Understand first that Mollica enjoys playing for Clemson’s golf team, enjoys the team spirit and the bonds with his teammates. He and Greenwood native Ben Martin have been “real tight” since age 12; he met David May, from Auburn, N.Y., when both were high school seniors and also are close.

Yeah, the Anderson native said, he likes his teammates a lot.

He just seems to perform better when they’re not around — in the summertime.

“I’m still trying to figure it out,” he said. “(It) seems that’s always been the case for me.”

City tournament only at one course

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:36 EDT

In recent years as the Fairway Outreach City Tournament expanded to two golf courses, there was always that doubt in players’ minds each morning: Am I going to the right course?

That won’t be a problem this year, after tournament director Bobby Foster said that, due to lower-than-expected registration, which he blamed on the economy, the July 17-19 event will be played at The Windermere Club. Originally, Windermere and Northwoods Golf Club were to split host duties.

“With a smaller field, this is our first opportunity in a while to play it all at one course,” Foster said. Players alternately will start on the front nine and back nine, with morning and afternoon starts, for the first two rounds before the 36-hole cut and the final round.

Foster cited advantages of playing at one site, including reporting the scoring, logistics and reduced costs. Also, all rounds now will be played on the same greens. Windermere has bent-grass greens, while Northwoods has Bermuda.

While Northwoods’ professional Greg McBride said his course has struggled through “probably the hardest transition” this year from winter grasses due to lack of rain, he had expected the course to be ready by the tournament. “It wouldn’t have been a problem,” he said.

Gillespie: Five things I know

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:38 EDT

TIGER AWAY, CINK WILL PLAY

With Tiger Woods missing until 2009, it figures other PGA Tour players will enjoy better chances to win. But who knew his absence would unleash Stewart Cink? A win at the Travelers Championship was his first since 2004, but Cink contended twice earlier this year, losing each time to Guess Who? Now he’s third in FedEx Cup rankings behind Tiger and Phil Mickelson, a Ryder Cup lock. Here comes 2008’s feel-good story.

‘SLU’S’ TURN THIS TIME

When Jay Haas captured his second Senior PGA Championship, he tromped all over Jeff Sluman’s “homeboy makes good” story line at Oak Hill near Detroit. But “Slu” — an enormously popular veteran — earned his own moment, and did it in style with a closing 64 to capture the Champions Tour’s Bank of America Championship. By the way, Sluman and Haas both shot first-round 68s, but this time Jay slid back; Slu charged.

MORE CINK-OLOGY

Review: “Golf: The Mental Game — Thinking Your Way Around the Course”

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:53 EDT

Tom Dorsel

Cumberland House, Nashville, Tenn.

350 pages

$16.95 paperback

Tom Dorsel is a psychology professor at Francis Marion University in Florence, but many of his students probably do not know he has written for 25 years on the psychology of golf. Golf magazine lists Dorsel as one of the nation’s leading golf psychologists.

Spear: Playoff is too long and fans who pay to see a champion crowned should get their wish

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:25 EDT

The Tiger Woods-Rocco Mediate showdown that dripped with drama Monday notwithstanding, the U.S. Open’s 18-hole playoff should go the way of the horse and buggy.

Sure, Monday’s battle was compelling theater, but the real mystery centered not on the golf but whether Woods’ knee would hold up. Even if the battle that required an extra playoff hole to decide centered on the shot-making, a full-round playoff is a bad idea.

First, fans who have invested four days and 72 holes in the tournament should see the champion crowned. Holding over for another day robs those who have to return to work Monday of that opportunity.

What other sport requires a complete game a day later to reach a decision? Does baseball have a nine-inning showdown the next day? Does football require four quarters? Basketball? Hockey? Any sport?

Tradition is important, you say? Well, if tradition mattered that much to the United States Golf Association, the Open would still finish with 36 holes on Saturday and split tees would not be used for the first two rounds.

Gillespie: Extra 18's drawn-out drama outweighs any quick-fix solution

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:37 EDT

Inevitably in sports, some events are too big to be contained in regulation. And of course, the primary consideration is to get it over with so fans can go to sleep, or drink the event sponsor’s malt beverage.

That’s why in basketball, the first points scored decide overtime games; why in baseball, the first at-bat wraps things up; why in college football, the first kick or touchdown brings matters to a close ...

What’s that? You say that’s NOT how those sports decide overtime? Imagine that.

Which should answer those impatient souls who believe last week’s U.S. Open, won by Tiger Woods in 19 exciting extra holes, would’ve been a better show if wrapped by the first post-regulation birdie.

If ever there were a case made for the USGA’s method of resolving its premier event, the Woods-Rocco Mediate thrill ride was Example A. Limping Tiger might have been on the private jet by sundown Sunday if the Open were decided, as are regular PGA Tour events and the other three majors, by some form of sudden death.

Landry of Texas tears up Palmetto Amateur

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:59 EDT

At Aiken, Andrew Landry of Groves, Texas, shot a 3-under-par 67 to drop to 5-under 205 for the lead at the Palmetto Amateur after three rounds.

Thomas Todd of Laurens and former champion Ben Martin, a Clemson golfer of Greenwood, are six shots off the pace at 211 at Palmetto Golf Club.

Crawford Reeves of Greenville is 2-over at 212.

Wesley Bryan of Chapin is the top golfer with USC ties in the standings. He is tied for fifth after shooting a 71.

As greens continue to be firm and fast, 62 players made the cut, which was at +22.

Lexington High student wins Sonic golf crown

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:03 EDT

Engaged in a heated battle with Louise Givens during the last nine holes of the Sonic Women’s City Tournament on Thursday, Maureen Dunnagan said she was not keeping track of her position on the leader board.

After tapping in her putt on the 18th hole, Dunnagan was informed by Givens and the other two women playing in her group that she had won the tournament.

Dunnagan, a 16-year-old who attends Lexington High, finished the three-day tournament with a score of 241, three strokes ahead of Givens.

“I actually had no idea where we were in terms of the standings,” Dunnagan said. “She (Givens) was keeping track of it, so I kind of had an idea, but until she said something about midway through the back nine, I didn’t know who was in the lead. I really didn’t want to know. I was just trying to hit good shots and play as well as I could.”

Dunnagan entered the final round at Spring Valley Country Club in second place, two strokes behind Givens. Dunnagan’s 80 was the best round Thursday.

Clemson golfers rule early action

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:51 EDT

GREENWOOD — Clemson’s Ben Martin shot a 2-under 68 to take a one stroke lead after one round at the Palmetto Amatuer at Palmetto Golf Course on Wednesday.

Thomas Todd (Laurens) and Mitchell Krywulycz are ties for second, a stroke back at 1-under They are just ahead of six more players, all within three shots of the lead.

Two other Clemson players, Zach Siefert and Luke Hopkins are in the jumble at 1-over.

Hopkins is the defending tournament champion.

Last year Hopkins finished at 5-under, three strokes batter than Allen Koon, who is a golfer at USC.

Gillespie: injuries may hurt tour more than Tiger

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:51 EDT

REMEMBER HOW EVERYONE in golf spent the two months between the end of the Masters and the start of the U.S. Open debating how the absence of Tiger Woods due to arthroscopic knee surgery — even if only for those couple of months — was affecting professional golf?

Get ready for more of the same. Times 10. Or maybe 100.

Anyone who watched Woods hobble his way to the 14th major championship of his career at Torrey Pines this past weekend probably would not have been surprised had the world’s No. 1 player decided not to return for, say, the British Open in July. But no more Tiger for the rest of 2008 — including, perhaps most significantly, the Ryder Cup in September?

Ouch. And not just for him.

We now know what should have seemed apparent throughout Open week: Despite his claims to the contrary, Tiger was not 100 percent. Not even close.

Pruitt turns to tour to help in time of need

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 07:04 EDT

For the past two months, Dillard Pruitt has awakened each morning in his Durham, N.C., apartment to another day of certainty ... and uncertainty.

Pruitt — a former Clemson All-American, PGA Tour player and now PGA Tour rules official — drives to the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, where his wife of 22 years, Fran, has been in an intensive-care unit since April 14, awaiting a double lung transplant. From 8 a.m.-7 p.m., depending on relief from family and friends, he watches as nurses help Fran — who breathes oxygen through a tracheotomy tube — get out of bed for short walks or just to sit in a chair.

The routine varies little. That’s the certainty.

Dillard said Fran is “high up on the list” to receive a transplant when donor lungs become available within a region encompassing North and South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Then, the window of opportunity is small: Once doctors determine a match, “(surgery) all happens within four hours,” said Julian Taylor, Dillard’s former college teammate and close friend.

“It’s good she’s high on the list, but there’s a reason she is,” Taylor said. “As I understand it, it’s this or nothing.”

Review: “The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf and Armed Robbery”

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:48 EDT

Leigh Montville

Doubleday, New York

304 pages

$26 hardcover

When it comes to capturing the essence of bygone eras, as he did so well in his previous books “The Big Bam” (about Babe Ruth) and “Ted Williams,” few can match former Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated writer Montville. Here he has recreated the world of the roaring 1920s and Depression-era 1930s while recounting the story of a larger-than-life figure, John Montague, and his golfing exploits among the stars and wannabes of Golden Age Hollywoood.

Gillespie: Five things I know

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:50 EDT

ROCCO, ROCCO, ROCCO

Tiger Woods has won 14 majors; Rocco Mediate has won five tournaments. So why were fans pulling so hard for Mediate at the Open? They had discovered what not enough folks knew: Mediate is a genial Everyman. He’s 45, balding, has a bad back and is a poker fiend and Steelers fan. In other words, he is a lot like most of us. He missed his chance at the win of a lifetime but kept smiling. Sorry for the loss, but nice (for many) to meet you, Rocco.

FOUR TO CATCH JACK

Woods’ victory Monday was his best major ever. Why? Because Superman played like his foes: He struggled to hit fairways, made double bogeys, battled his creaky knee ... and still won. But that perhaps came with a price; chances are, he won’t win a 15th major this year. The knee is questionable for the British Open, and the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills could be tougher than Torrey Pines. But in 2009? Beware, Mr. Nicklaus.

PHIL: JUST PLAIN WEIRD

Shots keep falling short for ROOF

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:50 EDT

Columbia’s Brent Roof laughs as he dredges up this old line: “always a bridesmaid, never a bride.”

The former USC golfer and one-time caddie for ex-teammate Kyle Thompson, now on the PGA Tour, came up just short Sunday in the final of the Carolinas Golf Association’s S.C. Match Play, losing 1-up to Tripp McAllister’s 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole. This, after Roof led 2-up with three holes to play.

“It’s been a long time” since he won a tournament, said Roof, who turns 30 in August. “I’d guess it was junior golf. Nothing in amateur or college golf.”

But he has been close. Last summer, the left-hander finished second in the S.C. Amateur, albeit seven shots behind Clemson golfer Luke Hopkins of Greer.

“No one was going to catch Luke; this time, I was close,” Roof said. A buried lie in a bunker at Spring Valley Country Club’s 16th hole cost him half his lead, and his lost tee shot at the driveable par-4 17th left the players tied.

Preteen has a game all grown up

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:25 EDT

Peter Murphy smiled, remembering the first time he took his daughter to a golf course near their Ashland, Mass., home.

“It was a par-3 course, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and she parred a 125-yard hole,” he said, beaming. Kelli Murphy was 5 years old at the time.

Hearing her father’s version of that familiar story, Kelli grins and shakes her head.

“Actually, it was the second time I played the course,” she said between shots at the Country Club at Woodcreek Farms’ driving range. She doesn’t recall her par, but “I remember after the ninth hole, we sat to go over our scores, and I got an orange soda.”

Kelli, who turned 12 on Friday, explained how she earned her place as the youngest contestant in the Sonic City Women’s Tournament, today-Thursday at Spring Valley Country Club. She needed a 10.0 handicap index or better, but until early May she was a 12.0.