2009 U.S. Open Coverage

Via GolfDigest.com, my Twitter page and this page, I'll be covering the Open in a variety of ways.

Starting Wednesday, I'll be filing a daily golf course musings, images and impressions with--weather permitting--previews of the following day's possible setup touches. I hope to take you inside the ropes to show how the setup is impacting the outcome and offer a few tips on what to look for during the telecasts.

Via Twitter and this site, I'll do my usual reports from the grounds about the experience. Since I'm taking the train from New York City this week, expect  some posts about that experience and maybe a few non-golf posts about certain expensive new ballparks in the area that I may take the time to visit.

While we won't be able to do the live blog this week, I will have a daily post inviting your observations of the event as well as--feed function permitting--easy to find Twitter text and photo updates.

And in between I'll try to get up a few key clippings from the media coverage.

Special thanks to Tom Naccarato for the New York City banner to liven up the page this week. Extra points for those who can spot the landmarks and folks embedded inside the letters!

2009 U.S. Open Preview Stories

It's not easy to preview the U.S. Open's return to a course that so recently hosted and which has been so exhaustively profiled. But, the working press did their best and here are just some of the stories I enjoyed.

First off, just a note: Golfweek.com offers a one-stop location for all of their latest news, previews, qualifying scores and the latest WD's (two Sunday). And of course I've also will add to my links list on the right as the week goes.

Jason Sobel offers his traditional Weekly 18 with plenty of U.S. Open info, including some nice ideas for picks (and those who should be doing a rain dance).

Bob Harig takes us back to last year and asks people where they were when Tiger birdied 18 Sunday. With the story, ESPN.com offers a video feature that recaps the epic 08 Open. Golf.com's coverage is frozen in time.

Karen Crouse catches up with Rocco. While Connell Barrett organizes reader questions for Rocco.

The USGA Museum has posted their Tiger Woods scrapbook with much from last year, but the really great stuff is from his early career and an interesting interview with Earl. Love the bucket cap!

Cameron Morfit talks to Mike Davis and also predicts a storybook ending for Phil Mickelson Sunday afternoon. Tim Rosaforte explains the odd dichotomy of California boy Phil Mickelson returning home to Bethpage.

Michael Foley asks what's wrong with Padraig Harrington who inexplicably continues to talk about making swing changes after winning two majors. That's my nice way of saying I would not make him a pool pick.

Chris Berman explains how he does his best to drive people bonkers during the opening rounds of ESPN's U.S. Open telecast.

Rich Lerner delivers hooks and cuts from the LPGA Championship and previews the U.S. Open.

Dave Shedloski reminds us why the 2002 Open was so memorable despite the awful setup and finishing in the dark.

Bill Fields considers why no one has broken the 63 barrier. Now with Bethpage being soft, the setup actually reasonable this time and those greens so flat, maybe this is the week? Oh I shouldn't have dared to think such a dreadful thought.

Peter Williams looks at Doug Batty's improbable run as a qualifier.

Christian Red uses the 10th anniversary of Payne Stewart's tragic death to check in on all of the families of those who died aboard the private jet. Thanks to reader Tim for noticing this impressive bit of research and writing.

Erik Peterson does the Bethpage walk-up car line thing and lives to tell about it.

Ron Kroichick contemplates the impact that the U.S. Open has had on the public course venues it's been played at. Check out those new Torrey Pines green fees.

Speaking of the golf course...

Greg Logan takes us back a few years and reminds us who the visionairies were who saw Bethpage's potential as a U.S. Open venue.

Bill Pennington explains the course changes and in this video segment, interviews Rees Jones and only subjects us to one Open Doctor groaner.

Alan Shipnuck compares Bethpage with Liberty National, home to this fall's Barclay's.

John Huggan talks to Mike Davis about his golf philosophy:

"Everybody seems to have this fixation – much more so in the US than in the UK – that, when someone is in the rough, the penalty has to be the same every time. Conversely, those same people think that, when a ball is in the fairway, you are always entitled to a good lie. So when they get in a divot they are looking for a free drop!

"None of that should be true though. There is some charm to getting a bad lie in the fairway or a great lie in the rough. That's golf. And leads to the potential for spectacular shots. How can that be bad?"

Mike Stachura says Bethpage may play a lot shorter this time around because of improved equipment, though with the recent rains and reports that the course is soggy, maybe not.

Well, first of all there will be more players using drivers that have a large area of the face that has a high spring-like effect. In 2002, that area of high ballspeed was a few square millimeters smaller. What's more, club designers today actually have to slow down the center of the face because it's so easy to engineer a single point on the face that produces the maximum allowed springiness.

But there's more to it than that. Players are better matched to the golf ball than they were seven years ago. To be sure, the majority of the field in 2002 had already switched to multilayer urethane-covered balls, but there were still a handful of balls in play that year with windings.

SI features a great gallery of artsy Bethpage aerial images by Fred Vuich. They also posted an aerial flyover page.

Ron Whitten reiterated his take on the design heritage of Bethpage, with other notes about the course setup possibilities in the current Golf World.

Bethpage was conceived by Robert Moses, the most powerful unelected public official of the 20th century, but owes its implementation to Joseph H. Burbeck. As manager of the Bethpage Corporation in 1934, Burbeck supervised the design and construction of the complex, at the start drawing upon the talents of design consultant A.W. Tillinghast, the legendary architect who candidly credited Burbeck with the ambition of making the Black Course as great and severe a test as Pine Valley.

Sadly, Tillinghast never viewed the finished product. Burbeck, however, became the superintendent of Bethpage State Park in 1937 and presided over the place until his retirement in 1964.

You can also read his controversial 2002 profile of Burbeck here.

Whitten also analyzes the Black Course's putrid finishing hole and the options Davis considered before sticking with it as a courtesy to the everyday golfers who want to play the entire Black as it plays in the Open.

And finally, Damon Hack says No. 17 was the place to hang out last time. I can't wait to check it out for myself.

Golfdom U.S. Open Coverage

I jump on the Q&A with Mike Davis bandwagon on the eve of the U.S. Open. In this session for Golfdom Magazine, I ask Mike how he sees his ideas impacting everyday course setup and maintenance. We also get into the groove issue, Bethpage's architecture, his post Oakmont memo to supers about excessive rough primping and the USGA's TruFirm device.

And in advance of Bethpage, editor Larry Aylward asks me a few questions for a special Golfdom podcast.

Golf World Cover Gives Scary Peak Into Future Of Golf Fashion?

I can hear Golf Digest stylist Marty Hackel now. Jim Furyk is putting on the oversized shoes and Marty's yelling, "Jim, red is your color. It brings out your freckles. And think of the leverage you'll get with those size 24's!"

As Furyk skeptically slips on the red nose, Marty: "First, it's how you wear it. And second, it'll give you SPF 200. No chance of a burn!"

Furyk: "But what about the puffy shirt?"

Marty: "It's veeeeerrrrrrrryyyyyy retro. You look fantaaasssstic."

There is actually a serious story to accompany Golf World's U.S. Open cover by John Hawkins too. But a Marty breakdown of the fashion would have been nice.

US Open Mobile Apps Now Available

You can read about them here. Just fooling around with the US Open app, it's essentially the same as the excellent IBM-crafted Masters phone app.

There is also a Twitter page for those who like getting their news that way. Hopefully the plugs for "tickets available" will end soon.

And if you haven't signed up for the USGA's Architecture Archive, you're missing out on a couple of new Bethpage aerials posted. Actually, the course looks very similar today. But it is fun to see the nuanced strategy of the old 18th hole. It wouldn't matter much in today's game, then again, neither does the current hole.

U.S. Open Pairings Set

Doug Ferguson analyzes next week's U.S. Open pairings at Bethpage and offers a few thematic observations. No mention of a &$%@! pairing though.

"We concentrated on items made or distributed on Long Island"

Thanks to John Strege at the Local Knowledge blog for catching Sophia Chang's story on the food preparation for U.S. Open contestants. What recession?

Unlike the mere mortals who must satiate their appetites with hot dogs from the concession stands at the Bethpage Black Course, the Very Important Golfers at the U.S. Open will have their pick of more than 200 gourmet offerings every day, prepared by a kitchen staff of 200 working nearly around the clock at the golf course clubhouse.

"We concentrated on items made or distributed on Long Island," said Steven Carl, the chief executive of caterer Carlyle on the Green that is handling the clubhouse food and who presented the menu at a news conference Wednesday.

The local focus includes knishes, Nathan's hot dogs, New York pickles, and black and white cookies, he said.

Here's a video version of the story:

"I challenge anyone to say there is a more democratic golf competition"

Doug Ferguson files a nice look at the beauty and unique nature of U.S. Open qualifying.

Max Adler wraps up his diary series with an entertaining look at the Century Club qualifying and some of the decisions that alternates face.

"You'll see Bethpage probably play a bit more consistent than it did in 2002"

Jason Sobel interviews Mike Davis about Bethpage and one of the more interesting subjects is the current USGA's notion of trying to prepare the course conditions to play similarly each day, instead of the old mentality of starting at a point and, weather permitting, letting the rough grow and the conditions speed up over four days. Obviously there are compelling cases for both sides, though if it means debacle-free tournaments, the current approach is obviously more attractive.

But on the other side of things, you'll see Bethpage probably play a bit more consistent than it did in 2002, with respect to our intent of not making it harder every single day, which I think was the case back in '02. The rough got higher every day, the greens got a little faster, maybe firmer, so that shouldn't happen this go-round.

Q: Well, if it's not the USGA's belief that the course should be set up more difficult for each progressing round, is it possible that we could see Bethpage actually play easier Sunday than it does Thursday and Friday?

A: I think it could. To a large extent, it's going to depend on what Mother Nature gives us; if it's windy, then obviously it will play tougher. But yes, that is a definite possibility. I think if you look back at Torrey Pines last year, you'd find that Sunday was actually the easiest of all four days and that didn't just happen out of coincidence. There was a mindset that on certain holes we really wanted to give the players some opportunities to score, give them a little bit more risk-reward, and I think that certainly bears out in how they played.

And Sobel asked Davis about players he seeks out, player input in general, and this about the debate over Bethpage's design lineage. Mike should run for office with an ability to answer like this!

Q: I know there's been some debate about this, but is the USGA sticking with the idea that Tillinghast was the original and sole designer of Bethpage Black? A: Yeah, on the materials that we have put out, Tillinghast has been the architect of record. I think we have also said we don't really want to get in the middle of that debate, but having said that, we have certainly seen drawings that Tillinghast did of Bethpage Black. We know that [Joe] Burbeck had a big part in the construction, but I think that we're going to try to stay out of that argument. If asked, we certainly would want to give Tillinghast some credit. Certainly, Burbeck during the construction should get some credit, and I think Rees Jones during the renovation should get some credit.

"An odd sight, perhaps, to see a veteran PGA Tour member working as a caddie, but not a U.S. Open qualifier, where the flavor of golf is purest."

Some more U.S. Open sectional qualifying links...

Official results from the USGA page here.

Golfweek's stellar coverage with scores and some write-ups about who got in.

Jim McCabe reports from the largest of the qualifying sites, Columbus. And he offers this commentary on the unique day that is sectional qualifying.

Sean Martin reports from Lake Nona.

AmEx TV's Are Back!

With all of the cuts at American Express I feared Bethpage spectators/cardholders would not get to hear Johnny talk about Bethpage's grainy greens or Gary Koch say "just a moment ago," but it seems my second favorite thing about the company (after T&L Golf, RIP) is back: those incredible spectator televisions (reviewed here).

Probing around their site I found a few answers and got more in a press release that explains other promotions they have planned for Open spectators with an AmEx card.

American Express CourseCast TVs and Radios for Cardmembers

Onsite during championship play at the 2009 U.S. Open on June 18-21, American Express is providing CourseCast TV and radio devices to enhance the viewing experience, bringing golf fans even closer to the game they love.

American Express CourseCast TV - Cardmembers will have exclusive access to hand-held televisions, powered by Kangaroo TV, that deliver a live telecast of the championship and player information from anywhere on the course so they’re guaranteed not to miss a swing. The TVs are free for Cardmembers to borrow daily June 18-21.

American Express CourseCast Radio - To stay fully connected to the action, Cardmembers can enjoy free radio devices to listen to the play-by-play commentary and live updates on Sirius XM, while they watch the excitement from the grounds. The radio can also tune into other FM stations, so the radio can be taken home for later use.

American Express Championship Experience
Located near the main entrance and open to all attendees, this onsite interactive facility will provide an opportunity for fans to get involved in the action. With highlights that appeal to avid players and general spectators, this year’s American Express Championship Experience will include:

Complimentary Swing Analysis - With cameras to capture swing and advanced motion technology to analyze form, golf enthusiasts can meet with a PGA Professional to improve their game. Cardmembers are offered personalized 10-minute golf lessons by appointment utilizing this dynamic technology.

Green Speed Challenge - Everyone is invited to pick up a club and test their putting stroke on simulated greens of varying speeds, and learn more about the USGA’s role in the development and education of turf grass. The exhibit highlights the work of the USGA’s Green Section.

I'm intrigued by the radio device and a "Green Speed" challenge in their pavillion where members of the Green Section staff will joyfully tell visitors why slower greens would be good for the game. They'll really earn their pay. I think I may have go all Borat on them and start asking brilliant questions. I don't have the clothes to do Bruno.

2009 U.S. Open Sectional Results**

Thanks to Bill for our first link. More to come. Here's the USGA page, but historically, the local golf associations have been better about posting scores and Golfweek.com usually is the first to get them all posted.

**Golfweek.com has a nice, simple page with some recaps and links to the scores. Have fun!

And more, courtesy of another reader Bill:

Somis,CA – 80 for 4

Littleton,CO – 28 for 2

LakeNona, FL – 57 for 3

*BallGround, GA – 43 for 3

Grayslake,IL - 22 for 1

*OverlandPark, KS – 20 for 1

Rockville, MD – 71 for 6

*Purchase,NY – 77 for 4

*Columbus,OH – 120 for 16

Dayton,OH – 68 for 4

*‐Memphis,TN – 109 for 12.

*Dallas, TX – 36 for 2

Roslyn, WA – 36 for 2

2009 U.S. Open Sectional Storylines

Some of the names that caught my eye for today's play courtesy of the USGA's release. I'll try to get some scoring links up courtesy of readers who think they can beat USGA.org.

STORYLINES FROM 2009 U.S. OPEN SECTIONAL QUALIFYING

Saticoy Country Club (Somis, Calif.)

· Tim Hogarth of Northridge, Calif., won the 1996 U.S. Amateur Public Links and was a 1999 USGA Men’s State Team participant.

· Jamie Lovemark of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., played on the winning 2007 USA Walker Cup team. He was the individual champion at the 2007 NCAA Division I Championship as a member of the University of Southern California golf team.

· Duffy Waldorf of Northridge, Calif., is a four-time PGA Tour winner who has played in 13 U.S. Opens, tying for ninth in 1994, and was a member of the victorious 1985 USA Walker Cup team.

Lake Nona Golf and Country Club (Orlando, Fla.)

· John Cook of Orlando, Fla., was the 1978 U.S. Amateur champion and 1979 U.S. Amateur runner-up. He is an 11-time winner on the PGA Tour and has played in 23 U.S. Opens. His best finish came in 1981 (4th). A member of the Champions Tour, he also finished fifth in the 2008 U.S. Senior Open.

 Hawks Ridge Golf Club (Ball Ground, Ga.)

· Matthew Kuchar of Atlanta, Ga., is a former standout at Georgia Tech and a PGA Tour member who won the 1997 U.S. Amateur. A member of the 1999 USA Walker Cup team, Kuchar has played in six U.S. Opens, earning low-amateur honors in 1998 with a 14th-place finish. He tied for 48th last year.

· Grayson Murray, 15, of Raleigh, N.C., is the youngest player in all of the sectional qualifying fields (DOB: Oct. 1, 1993).

Woodmont Country Club (Rockville, Md.)

· Fred Funk of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is a member of the PGA and Champions Tours who has played in 19 U.S. Opens, finishing sixth in 2004. He was runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Senior Open.

· Neal Lancaster of Smithfield, N.C., who tied for fourth at the 1995 U.S. Open, plays on the PGA and Nationwide Tours. He has played in three U.S. Opens and shares a U.S. Open record with Vijay Singh, shooting 29 for nine holes (second nine, fourth round in 1995 and second nine, second round in 1996).

Old Oaks Country Club / Century Country Club (Purchase, N.Y.)

· Michael Allen of Scottsdale, Ariz., recently won the 2009 Senior PGA Championship in his first start as a 50-and-over player. He has played in five U.S. Opens, tying for 12th in 2001. He also is a former assistant pro at Winged Foot.

· Brad Faxon of Barrington, R.I., is a member of the PGA Tour who has played in 20 U.S. Opens. His best finishes came in 1989 and 1994, when he tied for 33rd. He played on the victorious 1983 USA Walker Cup team.

· Andrew Giuliani of New York, N.Y., is the son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. A former member of the Duke University golf team, he earned the final qualifying spot at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn.

· Andrew Svoboda of Larchmont, N.Y., finished 71st at last year’s U.S. Open after getting into the field as an alternate. He was a semifinalist at the 2004 U.S. Amateur and also played in the 2006 U.S. Open. Both of those events were at Winged Foot, where his parents are members and where he has won the club championship.

· French-born Jean Van de Velde of Dubai has played in two U.S. Opens, including a 45th-place finish in 2002 at Bethpage. He is best known for his runner-up finish at the 1999 British Open, losing in a three-man playoff to Paul Lawrie.

· Cameron Wilson, 16, of Rowayton, Conn., advanced to match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2007 and 2008, and is the second-youngest golfer in sectional qualifying. He is one of three players under 17 to qualify for sectionals.

Brookside Golf and Country Club / The Lakes Golf and Country Club (Columbus, Ohio)

· Aaron Baddeley of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a PGA Tour member who was runner-up at the 1998 U.S. Junior Amateur, where he was the stroke-play medalist. He has played in four U.S. Opens, tying for 13th in 2007 and 29th in 2008.

· Chris DiMarco of Orlando, Fla., is a PGA Tour member who has played in eight U.S. Opens. He tied for ninth in 2004 – his best U.S. Open finish – and 24th in 2002 at Bethpage.

· David Duval of Denver, Colo., is a PGA Tour member who has played in 14 U.S. Opens, tying for seventh in 1998 and 1999. He won the 1989 U.S. Junior Amateur and was a member of the winning 1991 USA Walker Cup team.

· Steve Flesch of Union, Ky., is a PGA Tour member who has played in 10 U.S. Opens. He tied for 18th in 2002 at Bethpage and tied for seventh in 2004.

· J.B. Holmes of Campbellsville, Ky., is a member of the PGA Tour who has played in three U.S. Opens, tying for 48th in 2006. He was a USA Walker Cup team member in 2005 and played on the 2008 USA Ryder Cup team.

· Danny Lee of New Zealand won the 2008 U.S. Amateur. As an amateur, he won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, a European Tour event. He has since turned professional and thus gave up his full exemption into the 2009 U.S. Open.

· Tom Lehman of Scottsdale, Ariz., is a member of the PGA and Champions Tour who has played in 16 U.S. Opens. He had four consecutive top-five finishes at the U.S. Open from 1995-98. He also won the 1996 British Open.

· Jack Newman of Des Moines, Iowa, is a member of the Michigan State University golf team who won the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links. As a result, he played in the 2009 Masters but failed to make the cut.

· Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain is a PGA Tour member who has played in 17 U.S. Opens and was recently chosen for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. A two-time Masters champion, he tied for eighth at the 1990 and 1991 U.S. Opens.

Germantown Country Club / Ridgeway Country Club (Memphis, Tenn.)

· Alex Cejka of Germany is a PGA Tour member who has played in three U.S. Opens, making the cut each time. He tied for 50th at the 1996 U.S. Open.

· John Daly of Dardanelle, Ark., currently plays on the European Tour but will be making his first PGA Tour appearance of the season at the St. Jude Championship, which begins June 11. He has played in 13 U.S. Opens, including in 2002 at Bethpage. His best finish came in 1996 when he tied for 27th. He won the 1991 PGA Championship as an alternate and claimed the British Open four years later.

· James Driscoll of Brookline, Mass., is a PGA Tour member who was runner-up at the 1995 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2000 U.S. Amateur. He was a member of the 2001 USA Walker Cup team.

· Steve Elkington of Australia is a 10-time winner on the PGA Tour who has played in 12 U.S. Opens. He tied for 21st in 1989 and 1990. He also won the 1995 PGA Championship.

· Brian Gay of Windermere, Fla., is a PGA Tour member who has played in five U.S. Opens. He was a member of the victorious 1993 USA Walker Cup team.

· Jason Gore of Valencia, Calif., is a PGA Tour member who has played in three U.S. Opens. He tied for 49th at the 2005 U.S. Open, where he played in Sunday’s final pairing with Retief Goosen, and was a member of the winning 1997 USA Walker Cup team.

· Paul Goydos of Coto de Caza, Calif., is a PGA Tour member who has played in nine U.S. Opens, tying for 12th in 1999. He failed to make the cut in 2002 at Bethpage.

· Tom Shaw of Franklin, Tenn., is the head golf coach at Vanderbilt University. A previous member of the PGA and Champions Tours, he has played in nine U.S. Opens and 12 U.S. Senior Opens.

· Scott Verplank of Edmond, Okla., is a five-time winner on the PGA Tour who has played in 17 U.S. Opens, including the past 11. He won the 1984 U.S. Amateur and was a member of the victorious 1985 USA Walker Cup team.

Northwood Club (Dallas, Texas)

· Olin Browne of Tequesta, Fla., is a PGA Tour member who has played in 11 U.S. Opens. He tied for fifth in 1997.

· Bronson Burgoon of Dallas, Texas, recently helped Texas A&M capture the team title at the 2009 NCAA Division I Championship. His victory in match play sealed the Aggies’ win over the University of Arkansas.

“Although the effort may appear herculean at times"

John Branch looks at the last day of Bethpage public play and tries to explain the convoluted system for walk/drive up system. No offense to Branch who files a compelling piece, but I still don't get it.

Yet there is one way to ensure a time at Bethpage Black, a major-championship course with $50 fees during the week, $60 on weekends, and double that for non-New Yorkers: get to the parking lot and spend a night. Maybe two. Maybe more.

“Although the effort may appear herculean at times, and it may seem insane, you can play that golf course,” Dave Catalano, the director of Bethpage State Park, said.

The overflow lot is a roofless waiting room of tedium and nervous energy. The lure on this day was to be among the last civilians to play the course under the brutal conditions that Tiger Woods and the gang will soon endure: slivers of fairways surrounded by choking rough and punctuated by glass-quick greens. Hulking grandstands were in place, and it took little imagination to fill them.

"We could be looking at a performance for the ages."

John Hawkins considers the possibilities when Phil Mickelson returns to Bethpage and concludes:

Now we're talking about a turbo-charged atmosphere unlike any we've seen, an amplified version of the competitive environment Lefty has always thrived in. If he's sharp enough to take advantage of the support and draw on the inspiration he finds in his wife, we could be looking at a performance for the ages.

There are only a dozen or so players capable of shooting par at Bethpage over the course of four grueling days, and Mickelson obviously is one of them. His return is a big deal for several reasons, his presence at the U.S. Open a storyline with depth and numerous potentially positive ramifications. For him to play well enough to contend would be a terrific bonus. It's the kind of thing you'd be silly to count on but really, really hope will happen.