Memphian is crushing it on World Long Drive tour
Will Hogue
is fully aware he can’t do what the guys on the PGA Tour can do. But then again, there aren’t very many of those who can do what Hogue can do to a helpless golf ball.
Hogue — who played baseball at Houston and Austin Peay before gravitating towards golf — is one of the stars on the World Long Drive circuit, which is currently a ratings winner on The Golf Channel. The next televised event will the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash that takes place Monday and Tuesday.
And if the name of that event sounds more like a wrestling pay-per-view than a golf tournament, that’s by design.
“Viewership is up 300 percent,” Hogue said. “The Golf Channel is doing a great job ... it’s not like the PGA. We like it loud and obnoxious. We like a little more ruckus.”
If you tune in Monday, you’re bound to see plenty of Hogue. The 32-year-old has won the last two stops on the tour, the Clash in the Canyon in Mesquite, Nev. in April and the Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun in Phoenix last month.
“It’s really just something I fell into,” he said. “I played a little — I hit my first 300 yard drive when I was 10 years old — but it was something I never really pursued. I never had a lot of time to focus.
“But one day I was playing with my dad and I hit one 400 yards off the tee and he said ‘look, just give it try. I’ll pay for you (to enter the tournaments).”
That was in 2013 and like the 483foot bomb he unleashed during an event once in Mexico City, it’s been onward and upward ever since. Currently, he’s ranked third in the world behind
and “Most of the tournament happen on day one,” he said. “We go through nine rounds, 72 balls at full swing, just to see who makes it to the final eight (and be on television). I remember in Phoenix ... my hamstrings, my right quad, right calf, my forearms ... I was spent. If you make it to the final eight you’ve accomplished something.
“I’ve talked with the (PGA) guys but it’s a different sport. It’s like a marathon vs. running a sprint. is not going to win a marathon.”
Following the Atlantic City event, Hogue will be back on home turf for the one-day Bluff City Shootout, which takes place June 23 at Golf and Games Family Park on Summer.
James Ryan Reisbeck. Usain Bolt Memphis hosts U.S. Open qualifying
Golf ’s longest day will be Monday in Memphis.
Four former majors winners will be in the field for U.S. Open Sectional qualifying. Golfers will play 18 holes at Ridgeway CC and 18 more at Colonial (south course) in the hopes of advancing to this year’s 118th Open that takes place June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
Highlighting the strong field are twotime U.S. Open winner 1997 PGA Championship winner
who won the U.S. Open in 2006, and Memphian who won the PGA in 2003.
who won the Open qualifying last year in Memphis, is also in the field along with players like
Love III, Geoff Ogilvy, Micheel, Steve Stricker, Justin Retief Goosen, Davis Shaun Rory Sabatini, Scott Stallings, Grant Hirschman
former St. George’s standout of Oklahoma State, former MUS and Oklahoma standout and
of Ole Miss, the reigning NCAA champion.
The qualifying is being conducted by the Tennessee Golf Association in conjunction with the USGA.
Thornberry Redbirds ace honored again
Memphis Redbirds pitcher
was named Pacific Coast League pitcher of the week for the second time this season this past week. He was also honored April 23-29.
The lefthander was honored after allowing just one run over 14 innings in games against Oklahoma City and Colorado Springs. He allowed 11 hits while striking out 15 (nine in eight innings against Oklahoma City) and walking just four.
Through his first nine starts, the 24year-old from Winter Garden, Fla. had a
Gomber Zach Olsen Braden Austin
4-3 record with a 3.60 ERA and 63 strikeouts with just 17 walks in 55 innings. The 6-5, 230-pounder is rated as the 13th-best prospect in the Cardinals’ organization according to minorleagueball.com.
Tiger center named to watch list
University of Memphis senior center
has been named to the spring watch list for the Remington Trophy, which is presented to the top center in the nation. It’s Kyser’s third year on the watch list.
The Opelika, Ala. native has appeared in all 39 games during his Tiger career, starting 38 of them. He was part of an offensive line that last year ranked seventh in the country in passing yards per game (335.0) and second in scoring (45.5). Memphis also ranked ninth in first downs (327) and 18th in red zone efficiency (90.3 percent).
Despite the graduation of all-AAC standout the o-line should
Drew Kyser Gabe Kuhn,
be a strength for Memphis this coming season with Kyser and fellow starters and scheduled to return.
Roger Joseph, Trevon Tate Woodard Germantown coach joins Tigers staff
Germantown High soccer coach
will join the University of Memphis women’s program as a volunteer assistant for the upcoming season.
“We’re excited to add Ted to our staff,” head coach said in a statement. “I think he will being a lot to the table and we are excited he is joining our team.”
Bartels has spent the last four season as Germantown’s coach and he has also volunteered with Southwest Tennessee’s women’s team. His father, was a longtime Tigers had coach and coached Monaghan when he was a Tiger.
Bartels
SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2018
Odds and ends Brooks Monaghan
Houston High offensive lineman
was selected to take part in the Blue-Grey National Super Combine, which took place Saturday and Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The 6-6, 310-pound sophomore earned the invite after a standout performance at a regional combine in Nashville ... CBU freshman long jumper
finished sixth in the long jump at the NCAA Division II championship meet in Charlotte with a leap of 24-5. He and (who competed in the 200 and 400 prelims) are CBU first representatives at nationals.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com.
Matthew Needham Bjorn Kloehn Dustin Emma Montoya Ted Chris,