My first PGA event was the Canadian Open in 2005. I went to the final round and the host course Shaughnessy (which is hosting again next week) is very small in areas. VJ was the only marquee player even close to the letter board so we went to follow him. Good luck, it was packed. We watched three holes from terrible locations and decided to pack in and stand behind 14 green in prime seats behind the flag.

Carlos Franco hit one of the best shot’s I’ve ever seen. A low, tight draw that landed and finished 2 feet from a tucked back pin. The experience was worth it right there and was no doubt one of those “these guys are good” advertisements.

So this year I am heading over to the Canadian Open once again as it has the best field in years thanks in part to RBC The plan is to watch the guys play in the mornings and take advantage of the flip draw. The excitement of the trip will not be for the Open but rather the chance to finally play Sagebrush!

Glad to see you’re still whacking away, in ink and on the tees. I can remember the coverage of Hogan at the time, and the sports writers did note that Hogan was an austere, often surly guy, who’s attitude I inferred was accepted only because he was such a great player, and his comeback so fiercely admired. But nobody loved Ben Hogan, as far as I could tell. I was a sometime caddy in those days, admired the game, then a rich man’s mostly, and took some interest in the likes of Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret, and others. Snead–now there was a sweet, generous and understated man. Kisses to your bride rich

Sounds like they did a nice job placing the forward tees at Willbrook. It can’t be easy trying to find a single set of tees to satisfy the skill levels of so many women.

It seems a little accusatory to suggest that golf courses intentionally hire only men as starters. Wouldn’t you need to find out how many women actually apply for the job of starter before making this statement ?