Ouch: Flyers' Giroux Shatters Club, Splinters Finger

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The unbylined AP story says it's unknown what caused Philadelphia Flyers Captain Claude Giroux's golf club to shatter and splinter his finger, but considering he just signed an 8-year extension for $64 million, I'm sure someone will get sued even if Giroux was doing his best Tommy Bolt imitation.

Speaking of that, it's been too long since we studied the portfolio of that modern club tosser master Garcia here, and here.

Thief Dresses Up As Typical Club Golfer; Hits Baltusrol Lockers

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Thorough report from CBS2 New York's Tracee Carrasco on a thief who dressed like a golfer (even had a glove!) and robbed Baltusrol's open lockers, then tried to his Canoe Brook where Oscar Cabrera was recognized by employees after a police bulletin went out.

“He would enter the club and look for the best way to get to the locker room,” said Springfield Police Det. James Mirabile.

Police said Cabrera stole the credit cards of three members from open lockers on June 30. And they said he wasn’t working alone; he allegedly had an accomplice named Luis Paz.

Springfield police said the two suspects went to a Target store in the Township of Union, where they used the stolen credit cards to buy $8,000 worth of gift cards.

The video feature:

CBS Video: American Lake GC For Wounded Vets

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Many thanks to reader Eugene for spotting and sending this CBS News report by Chip Reid on what the American Lake Golf Course is doing for wounded vets. The course is staffed by more than 200 volunteers and was designed with injured vets in mind.

"They make sure the walls of the bunker aren't too steep," said Jim Martinson, who lost both legs to a landmine in Vietnam 45 years ago, "and that you can get up to the tee boxes and things like that."

Martinson admitted he never golfed in his life. "I thought that was the stupidest game in the whole world," he said. But he doesn't feel that way anymore. "It's the greatest game in the whole world."

He tries to pass along that feeling of optimism to the recently disabled. "I tell them, 'Don't let your life be over. Do whatever you want. Set a goal,'" said Martinson.

It's a message that Aaron Boyle has taken to heart. "I don't care what people think," he said. "I love the game. If I didn't have the game, I don't know if I'd be the same person I am today."

NY Club Calls The Police On Breast-Feeding Mother!

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Thanks to Pete Finch for Tweeting this fantastic Kate Briquelet NY Post story on the good folks at Metropolis Country Club throwing such a tizzy over a breast-feeding guest from Belgium that they called the police who evacuated the premises and lost their collective minds over a backpack.

Nice lede from Kate...

What a bunch of boobs!

This is particularly good fun:

When Remans, on the verge of tears, questioned why terrorists would breast-feed at a ritzy club, the cop allegedly replied, “In Sri Lanka, babies are used by terrorists.” 

Minutes later, the Greenburgh Police Department arrived.

Detective Scott Harding allegedly yelled, “Close the doors!” and two other diners were told to leave the terrace.

“He was walking as if he was acting in a Western movie,” Neijens said. “He had one hand on his gun, one hand on his Taser.”

Neijens said the officer warned the couple they were trespassing and said some people at the club thought they were terrorists because of their black backpack.

Casey Martin Denied Cart To Recruit At USGA Event

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Cassie Stein files an in-depth report on an incident Monday in which Oregon golf coach Casey Martin was denied the use of a golf cart at the U.S. Junior qualifier in Oceanside.

It seems the USGA contacted the host regional golf association, the SCGA, to ask Martin to give up the cart.

“I’ve never felt more discriminated against or unfairly taken advantage of in my entire life,” Martin told Golfweek that evening.

Pawlak said the USGA contacted the tournament and asked that Martin not use a cart.

“He wasn’t happy about it,” Pawlak said, “but he accepted it.”

When contacted by Golfweek for comment, the USGA issued a statement:

"The United States Golf Association has been and continues to be a strong supporter of Casey Martin. The unfortunate situation at the U.S. Junior qualifier stems from a misunderstanding over the USGA Cart Policy at our championship events. We regret that this misunderstanding may have caused Casey an inconvenience, but it certainly was unintentional. We have extended to Casey accommodations that we offer all disabled spectators at our championships. Despite this unfortunate situation, we continue to admire what Casey has been able to accomplish in the game as both a player and a coach."

The rules are quite clear that carts are not allowed for spectators at USGA events and that one-person scooters will be made available on a first-come basis. However, if those are not available or the course runs out, it would seem logical to grant the use of a cart to one of the few handicapped people on the planet trying to spectate a USGA qualifier, no?

Flooding: Somber Scenes From Calgary Golf Courses

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With good reason Graham DeLaet contributed $1000 for each birdie he made during the Travelers, matched by the tournament and others. Seeing the latest articles sent by reader Andrew along with the video puts into perspective just had bad the flooding sitaution in Calgary is.

Wes Gilbertson reports that Canadian Open hopeful Glencoe Golf & Country Club is in bad shape but no major damage was done to the newly renovated course.

“It’s sickening. It’s truly sickening,” said Mike Kenney, the executive professional and associate general manager at Glencoe, one of the large number of Calgary-area golf courses impacted by the worst flood in Alberta history.

“We were going to be opening the Forest next Saturday after 23 months of renovations, and that’s probably the hardest pill to take, just knowing we were that close. Now, I’m not sure when it will open again. It’s going to be awhile.

“It’s just going to take time to recuperate. A lot of it is going to have to be stripped and re-sodded and shaped a bit differently.”

Brody Mark on Kananaskis Country GC closing for the season in June because of the flooding.

“While we cannot measure the damage until the waters of our rivers and creek beds receded, it will be some time before the courses (Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette) will be playable.”

Robinson announced full refunds will be given to all with a confirmed tee time.

While no official word has been levied on the 2013 fate of Inglewood Golf and Curling Club, Glencoe Golf and Country Club, Cottonwood Golf and Country Club, Redwood Meadows, Valley Ridge and McKenzie Meadows, each of those courses had pictures of extensive flooding posted on various social media sites.

A video from high above the world famous Banff Springs golf course.

Father-Son Aces On Same Hole, Same Round

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Thanks to reader Taylor for passing along Cameron Smith's interpretation of David Barron's behind-a-paywall Houston Chronicle story of a father-son hole in one double.

It seems Lonnie and Zach Widener pulled off this amazing 1-in-17 million accomplishment at River Pointe Golf Club's 6th hole, dad from 115 and son from 100 yards.

"It's probably going to be the most memorable thing we accomplish together," Lonnie Whitener told the Chronicle. "I just hope we have a lot more good things to come. It's one of the coolest things you could ever do."

AJGA Teen Fires 61; Makes Nine Straight Birdies!

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Thanks to reader One Universe for the tip on Colin Kober's 61 at the AJGA event in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He's listed as class of 2016, so he's 15 or 16.

The 11-under round came on a 6608 yard course with a rating of 72.2 and a Slope of 131.

Even more amazing for the Southlake, Texas resident: nine straight birdies. Nine!

He leads by two.