| |
USGA Women's State Team Blog
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Last Day
And here we are on the final day. While many teams that started in the morning have a minimal shot to win, the same can't be true of those teeing off in the afternoon. Any one of those teams can walk away with the trophy.
Ken
|
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Players
One of the best elements of this championships can be traced to the players. It's not often one will stop to chat during competition, but many of them here do. They are genuine in their words, which is rather refreshing compared to the professional events. That's not to suggest I would expect a professional to stop and chat during the heat of battle. But some do. Jack Nicklaus did once. So did Fuzzy Zoeller.
That said, the laid-back approach this week has certainly made even more enjoyable.
Ken
|
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Chaos
One of the things about covering a State Team Championship is that one can expect chaos. Not a bad kind of chaos. One that is organized. By this I mean that just when you think a certain squad will lead, another comes along when you least expect it and slide in. Such was the case today in the morning when North Carolina came out of nowhere to overtake Tennessee.
Of course, after being on the course the entire morning - with scoring device in hand - this shouldn't have been a surprise. However, in my defense, the scoring device only tracked individual players. I didn't find out about North Carolina, after meandering between the front and back nine, until I got back inside - when North Carolina had already enjoyed a robust lunch.
I can safely say covering this event is unlike any other. Challenging but fun. The players have been a ball.
Ken
|
We're Off
No threat of weather this morning. Well, there was earlier but it's clearing now.
A difference in this championship is that players are allowed to use carts. And caddies. Some have opted for a cart. Most of the players Monday were using carts during practice rounds.
Ken
|
Monday, September 17, 2007
Greetings
Hello from the Lone Star State. Beautiful
course, this Nicklaus design. Hot too. But then again, it is Houston
where the summers are extended.
One of the best things about
this championship are the stories. Many of the women playing are pretty
laid back. It's about the golf, yes, but also about having fun. Take
North Dakota for example. They haven't sent a team since 2001. But Mary
Adams, Mary Lobin and Gwen Nestaval are here representing their state.
"All
we had to do was sign up," said Mary Lobin laughing. It's one of the
vagaries of the team selection process. Some have a qualifying process,
while others - like N. Dakota - simply put out a sign-up sheet and hope
they can cobble together a team.
Ken Klavon
Web Editor
|
|
|