To speed up play, why not ban books, use rangefinders?
If the United States Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf Club can quicken the pace of play as rapidly as they continue to introduce new rules, golf might finally have something here.
The latest proposal to change the rules of golf involves eliminating “greenreading materials,” which means not allowing players or caddies to carry those books that show the slopes and topographical shapes of the putting surface.
While stating the game is meant to be performed more naturally without the aid of those measurements, the ruling bodies of golf are also seeking to speed-up play by eliminating the somewhat tedious process of watching players study those books as though they are cramming for a chemistry exam.
Well, I have two problems with that:
If those books are going to be banned, why not yardage books?
And, if you’re really concerned about slow play, why not let the players and caddies use rangefinders instead of relying on yardage books in their main competitions, when the world is watching?
Getting an immediate reading with a laser is much less time-consuming than a caddie looking at a yardage book and stepping off certain distances.
Amateur trend
The second and final U.S. Open local qualifier will be Wednesday at Butler Country Club where 78 players will be competing for four spots.
However, the field will include 52 amateurs, a growing sign that fewer and fewer local professionals are competing in the Open qualifiers.
At last week’s other local qualifier at Wildwood Golf Club, a similar percentage of players — 26 of 40 players (65 percent) — aslo were amateurs.
Sean Knapp, a seven-time West Penn Amateur champion who is in the field at Butler, said there are several reasons for the disparity between amateurs and professionals competing in the U.S. Open qualifiers.
“I think the nature of the golf professional around the country, the PGA professional, has changed,” Knapp said. “There’s much more of an emphasis on their duties to their club and less so in terms of them out playing. That type of commitment doesn’t leave them much free time to play.”
The USGA increased the entry fee for an Open qualifier from $150 to $200 this year, which could be a contributing factor for assistant professionals who don’t make a lot of money.
Also, strange as it sounds, amateurs have more time to play than most club professionals.
“We all know, even for the very best players, it’s a pipe dream to make it,” said Knapp, who has never made it to the U.S. Open despite advancing to nine sectional qualifiers. “When you start to look at a $200 pipe dream, maybe it’s a road you don’t want to go down. It’s expensive. You take off work, you have a caddie, you play a practice round, you pay an entry fee, you’re into it for $500. That’s an expensive day.”
Women’s event returns
After a nine-year absence, the West Penn Golf Association is bringing back its women’s amateur championship — a tournament that disappeared because of a lack of participation.
The 18-hole championship will be July 5 at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, one of the premier daily-fee facilities in Western Pennsylvania.
“There was a need for it,” said West Penn executive director Terry Teasdale. “There’s not an open women’s amateur championship conducted in our region. I think there’s some excitement about it. There are a lot of people behind it.”
The women’s amateur was most recently held in 2007 at Hannastown when Katie Trotter became the first female to win the title a second time. The tournament began in 1999 when the late Judy Oliver won the title at the Pittsburgh Field Club. The championship trophy is named for Oliver, who died in September 2002.
Point Park advances
For the fourth time in five years, Point Park University has qualified for the NAIA men’s national championship May 16-19 at TPC Deere Run — site of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic — in Silvis, Ill.
The Pioneers qualified after winning the Rivers States Conference championship last month in Union, Ky. They had won the conference title, formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, for four consecutive years, beginning in 2013.
Two players — junior Max Kaminsky (Serra High School) and sophomore Gino DiPardo (Chartiers Valley) — finished in the top 10 in the conference tournament, earning all-conference honors.
Aber Classic is Monday
The inaugural Dr. John Aber Memorial Classic will be Monday at Allegheny Country Club, where his memory will be honored by his son, daughter and grandson, playing in the 73-player field.
The tournament, formerly known as the Club Car Classic, was shortened to 18 holes in an attempt to strengthen the field and get more local club professionals to compete.
Allegheny head professional John Aber Jr. will play with his sister, Stacie (Creech), in one of the threesomes. His son, John Feree III, who is 14, will play in another group.
Dissa and data
Tickets for the “Great Golf Course Raffle,” featuring a foursome at five top clubs in Western Pennsylvania, are now available at Vietmeier’s Golf Center in Kennedy. Price is $25 and proceeds benefit Parkway West Rotary Charities. Participating clubs are Sewickley Heights, St. Clair, Club at Nevillewood, Olde Stonewall and Shepherd’s Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands. Or call 724-947-1234.
“Links to a Cure” charity tournament, benefitting the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, will be May 22 at Diamond Run GC. Entry is $150 individual, $600 team, and includes lunch and dinner. Contact Jessica Kosty at 724.816.4131 or email jkosty5294@gmail.com.
Isaly’s has been named title sponsor of the Tri-State PGA Junior Golf Tour.