2021 Golf Oklahoma Apr/May by Golf Oklahoma Magazine

Official publication of the Oklahoma Golf Association

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 2021 APRIL/MAY

Volume 11 Issue 2

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The Goods

DAVID BARRETT

14 The Bookshelf: Golf in every state! 16 Rangefinders gain acceptance with PGA 17 Nicaraguan cigar rivals best of Cuba

Chip Shots 18 Felder in to SC PGA Hall of Fame 18 Chris Tidland new pro at Stillwater CC

Senior PGA

PREVIEW EDITION PARTICIPATING WORLD GOLF HALL OF FAME PLAYERS

FRED COUPLES

ERNIE ELS

20 Southern Hills brings out stellar field 24 Tom Lehman looks back at 1996 rout 26 Chance meeting led Glen Day to OU 28 Brandt Jobe reinvigorates Oak Tree Gang 30 Senior PGA Championship has royal history 36 Scott Verplank tells it like it is, newest member of Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame 44 PGA Frisco keeping close tabs on Southern HIlls two major championships

Features RETIEF GOOSEN

BERNHARD LANGER

TOM KITE

DAVIS LOVE III

38 O klahoma Golf Hall of Fame announces class of 2021 46 Boom times! Oklahoma cities, private clubs invest in golf 50 Prep standouts abound in Oklahoma 52 OCU's David Meyers on a record roll 56 Walker Cup teammates, collegiate rivals Austin Eckroat and Quade Cummins

Departments SANDY LYLE

COLIN MONTGOMERIE

JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL

MARK O'MEARA

8 Letter from the Publisher 10 OGA ED Mark Felder 10 WOGA ED Laurie Campbell 12 Rules, Bob Phelps 58 Instruction: Jim Young 59 Fitness Clint Howard 60 Schedules and results

VIJAY SINGH

Support junior golf by contributing to the OGA Foundation Call 405-848-0042 for more information 6

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE O K L A H O M A G O LF A S SO C IATI O N Volume 11, Number 2

Tiger Woods triumphant at Southern Hills in 2007, will he return in 2022?

April/May Issue 2021 FROM THE PUBLISHER KEN M AC LEOD

Southern Hills set for a PGA of America double feature

n case there is anything you missed, let’s take a look at all the good things going on in golf right now in our state. Consecutive major championships at Southern Hills? That’s a first. We had The Tour Championship at Southern Hills in 1995 and 1996, the Senior Tour Championship at Gaillardia in Oklahoma City in 2001 and 2002, but never back-to-back majors as will happen when the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship are contested, both in May. Both will be great for the club, for Tulsa, for Green Country and will burnish the reputation of the state nationally and internationally. But there’s a lot of burnishing going on and it’s not just due to Southern Hills and the PGA of America. How about 20 percent of this year’s Walker Cup team being homegrown former Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour stars in Quade Cummins of OU and Austin Eckroat of Oklahoma State. The two are now fast friends who frequently compete together in practice rounds at Oak Tree National. So for May 8-9 they will be great teammates, then back to trying to lead the top-ranked Sooners and the fast-rising Cowboys to the NCAA Championship, both of which should be fascinating to watch. For our high school preview this year in which we try to recognize some of the top young players in the state, we found 8

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

that seven of the top 100 junior boys in the nation are from right here. That’s a huge percentage. On the professional level, congrats to Robert Streb for winning his second PGA Tour event in the current season. Streb, Talor Gooch and Kevin Tway are the homegrown Oklahomans on the PGA Tour, joining the many with state ties, including of course, rising superstars Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland, who have both seemingly decided to make the state their home. The PGA Tour seems certain to have more Oklahomans in the near future. Max McGreevy is a near lock to move up from the Korn Ferry Tour and numerous others will be out there this summer giving it their all. It’s also great to see so many communities and memberships investing in golf, including Edmond, Midwest City, Claremore, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Oklahoma City and Owasso, with Dornick Hills and The Oaks among private clubs making significant improvements this spring. Green fees, as well as equipment and apparel sales remain up significantly despite the lousy weather in February, and it’s up to all of us in the game, from PGA pros to amateur golf bodies, to remain inclusive and welcoming to all the new and reborn golfers. No snootiness needed at any level. Golf is not for everyone but it is sure for a lot more folks than were taking advantage two years ago. Let’s keep them around.

Golf Oklahoma Offices Southern Hills Plaza 6218 S. Lewis Ave., Ste. 102 LIKE US! Tulsa, OK 74136 FACEBOOK.COM/ 918-280-0787 GOLFOKLAHOMAMAGAZINE Oklahoma City Office 405-640-9996 Publisher Ken MacLeod ken@golfoklahoma.org

COO/Marketing Director A.G. Meyers agm@golfoklahoma.org Sales Sam Humphreys sam@golfoklahoma.org Art & Technology Director Chris Swafford chris@golfoklahoma.org Subscriptions to Golf Oklahoma are $20 for one year (five issues) or $35 for two years (10 issues). Call 918-280-0787 or go to www.golfoklahoma.org Contributing photographers Rip Stell, Bill Powell Golf Oklahoma PGA Instructional Staff Jim Young Teaching Professional, River Oaks CC 405-630-8183 Ryan Rody Director of Instruction Southern Hills Country Club rrody@southernhilscc.org Pat McTigue Director of Instruction, Meadowbrook CC pmtigue277@gmail.com Maggie Roller Director of Instruction, Cedar Ridge CC maggie.roller@sbcglobal.net, 918-261-1441 Oklahoma Golf Association 2800 Coltrane Place, Suite 2 Edmond, OK 73034 405-848-0042 Executive Director Mark Felder mfelder@okgolf.org Director of Handicapping and Course Rating Jay Doudican jdoudican@okgolf.org Director of Junior Golf Morri Rose morose@okgolf.org Director of Rules Bob Phelps bphelps@okgolf.org Copyright 2021 by Golf Oklahoma Magazine. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from Golf Oklahoma. Golf Oklahoma is published by South Central Golf, Inc.

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FROM THE OGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OGA Executive Director

Celebrating two of ours in Walker Cup 21-23, certainly one of the top public Everyone here at the access venues in the state. The Senior OGA is bursting at the seams with State Amateur goes to the tree-lined pride that two of our juniors who fairways of Meadowbrook Country grew up playing in OGA and OklaClub in Tulsa on July 12-15, while homa Junior Golf Tour events are the Mid-Amateur and Senior Stroke going to represent the United States Play will be conducted simultanein the Walker Cup on May 8-9 at ously at one of our Perry Maxwell Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, jewels, Oakwood Country Club in Fla. Enid, both on Aug. 2-3. Quade Cummins and Austin EckSo to recap, Oklahoma is 28th roat, we could not be more proud of in population, but this spring we both of you. I remember watching have two homegrown players in Austin when he was 8 or 9 and he Quade Cummins Austin Eckroat the Walker Cup, two of the top conlooked like Ben Hogan. I told everytenders for the NCAA Championof magnificent work there and know his one that he was going to be freaky good with the action he had. And Quade replacement Eddie Roach Jr., formerly of ship, seven junior boys ranked in the top has played in our events since he was little Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma in 100 and the first of two consecutive major championships being held at Southern as well. His father and grandfather are such Norman, will do the same. Jimmie Austin is where the OGA Stroke Hills CC in Tulsa. nice people and this has got to be such a Golf is more than OK in Oklahoma. Play Championship will be contested June thrill for them. So in addition to both potentially leading their teams to an NCAA Champion2021 OGA SCHEDULE Visit www.okgolf.org for more information ship this spring, they’ll be teammates and Date Event Location hopefully play together at the Walker Cup. How cool is that! May 18-19 Four Ball and Senior Four Ball Gaillardia, OKC The two first met at the OGA Junior June 7-10 Junior Boys and Girls Championship Kickingbird GC, Edmond Championship, and speaking of that June 21-23 Stroke Play Championship Jimmie Austin OU GC, Norman event, we will again be at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond this year but that streak July 6 State Amateur Qualifier Lincoln Park GC, OKC will end in 2022 while the course finishes July 8 State Amateur Qualifier TBA its upcoming renovation. We have not yet July 12-15 Senior State Amateur Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa announced a site for 2022. The State Amateur Championship will July 19-21 State Amateur Championship Cedar Ridge CC, Broken Arrow be held July 19-21 at one of our favorAug. 2-3 Mid-Amateur Championship Oakwood CC, Enid ite venues, Cedar Ridge Country Club in Aug. 2-3 Senior Stroke Play Oakwood CC, Enid Broken Arrow. It’s an amazing test of golf and always in fantastic condition. We conAug. 19 Oklahoma Open Qualifier Oak Tree CC West, Edmond gratulate superintendent Mike Wooten on Aug. 26-28 Oklahoma Open Oak Tree CC East, Edmond his recent retirement after 34-plus years

LAURIE CAMPBELL

President WOGA

WOMEN’S OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION

Last year was challenging for all of us Although 2020 started slowly because of COVID, WOGA was still able to hold all but two of our tournaments. We were also able to award 25 scholarships to deserving individuals and high school programs to assist with equipment and supplies. Now with the vaccines in progress, we are hopeful we will be able to hold all of our tournaments this year. We plan to have information out to the club reps in the next few weeks so they can be prepared for

2021 WOGA SCHEDULE

See WOGA on page 15

Sept. 27-28 WOGA Cup Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

Date

Visit woga.golf.genius.com for more info Event Location

April 26-27

Stableford Partnership Lincoln Park West, OKC

May 17-18

Senior Championship Tulsa Country Club

June 7-8

Stroke Play/Mid-Am Championship The Club at Indian Springs, Broken Arrow

June 28

WOGA Fundraiser Oak Tree CC East, Edmond

June 29-30

Junior Girls State Championship Oak Tree CC East, Edmond

July 19-22

State Amateur Gaillardia Country Club, OKC

Aug. 16-17

Four Ball Partnership Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

BOB PHELPS

FROM THE OGA RULES DIRECTOR

OGA Rules Director

How video evidence can impact rulings To begin the new season, let’s look at some recent incidents from the professional tours where video evidence impacted the final outcome of the rulings. Reasonable to Conclude from the Available Information The default position in the 2019 Rules of Golf changed to allow for Embedded Ball relief anywhere in the General Area without the need for a Local Rule, with two exceptions listed under Rule 16.3a(1). Furthermore, a player is no longer required to have another player confirm the ball is embedded or view the process of taking relief. In other words, a player can determine on his own that the ball is embedded and simply take relief. Patrick Reed made headlines again this year at Torrey Pines when he was granted relief for an Embedded Ball that video showed had bounced first before presumably embedding on the second bounce. Although not required, Reed even sought confirmation from a tour official who confirmed the ball was indeed embedded. Video later surfaced showing Rory McIl-

roy taking relief for an Embedded Ball in circumstances almost identical to Reed’s. Can a ball embed on the second bounce? Yes. Is it likely? No. Both Reed and McIlroy proceeded correctly as it was reasonable to conclude based on the available information (they did not see the ball bounce and course conditions were exceptionally soft) that the ball was embedded in its own pitch-mark. Although video evidence did not affect the outcome of the rulings, it definitely had an impact on the public’s perception of what was fair. Determining Virtual Certainty When a ball in play is moved, the “known or virtually certain” standard (knowledge or at least 95 percent certain) is used first to determine whether the ball has moved. Once it is determined that a ball in play has moved, Rule 9.2b(1) tells us the “known or virtually certain” standard is used again to determine what caused the ball to move. If it is not “known of virtually certain” that the player, an opponent, or an Outside Influence above caused the ball to move, Rule 9.2b(2) treats the ball as having been

moved by Natural Forces. At Pebble Beach in February, Maverick McNealy and Russell Knox were both preparing to play a shot when they suddenly backed away and announced that their ball had moved and asked for a rules official. It was not necessary to determine if the ball moved, the movement was known. It was only necessary to determine what caused the ball to move and whether the ball will be replaced or played from its new location. In both cases video evidence was used to conclude with virtual certainty that the player caused the ball to move and both players received one penalty stoke for causing the movement. Interestingly, McNealy was ruled to cause his ball to move before taking further action and was required to replace the ball. Knox initially received a ruling from the tour official that natural forces was the cause of the movement and he played his next shot from the new location with no penalty. Only after reviewing video evidence was it ruled that Knox and had caused the movement and subsequent-

See RULES on page 15

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The

BOOKSHELF

One Year, Many Courses; One Course, Many Years else, for that matter. I’ve read other books about players notching at least one course in every om Coyne’s state in a year’s time. But none done with latest golfa- Coyne’s talent, on the course or at his desk. palooza, “A In an appendix we learn that his 21,691 Course Called Ameri- strokes on 5,173 holes gave him a round ca” (Avid Reader Press average to par of +6. His highest score was $28), comes on the 90, at the Waynesborough Country Club in soft-spiked heels of his popular golf orgy Pennsylvania. He does play at travelogues to Ireleast one course in land and Scotland. every state and any This one kept him reader will be curibroadly at home in ous to see how the 2019 — in the U.S., home state fares. that is — when he (He plays only spent most of the Southern Hills year playing on in Oklahoma, about 300 courses though there’s throughout the counno blaming him try. for that pick.) He Or, as the subtitle tees it up in backputs it, “Fifty States, yard courses as Five Thousand Fairwell as at excluways, and the Search sive private clubs for the Great Amerihe can’t resist, can Golf Course.” The though his search is one hook, heart seems another is Coyne’s atto be with tempt to play every the former: course that has hosted “I had seen the U.S. Open. In a golf done suspense novel these ot her wise, plot devices would be in villages called MacGuffins, useacross the British Isles ful mainly to drive the narrative forward. Or, one suspects in this where every tee was open to a visiting player, but here I was playing the game case, to set up tee times. of networks and flattery to Okay, so I started this book score myself a game. Was I with the usual chip of Coyne a hypocrite? Or was I just a envy on my shoulder: Why golfer who wanted to play? didn’t I think up this great I didn’t write the rules over stunt? And where is this prohere, but I suspected that gram ultimately headed? (“Last those who did had missed in the series, A Course Called something essential about the Antarctica!”) game.” Come the revolution, But Coyne easily won me no more private clubs! over, the chip melted clear Coyne has a casual approach away, and what was left was a to chronology, seemingly leapsumptuous feast of anecdotes, Tom Coyne ing around in his narrative more about the people he met along the way than the courses themselves. as unpredictably as he does around the Other than to say it’s no course you’d country, though he makes it plain the trip expect or have probably even heard of, I was planned, planned again, then planned won’t reveal what takes the Great Ameri- again. He gives us just as many planning can Golf Course honors. It’s more of a piece details as we might want (including the with the ample musing in the book about reactions of his wife, clearly a saint), just the soul of golf, in America or anywhere as many architectural details as we might by tom bedell

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

want, relatively few details of his actual play (just as we’d want), and scores of encounters with his playing partners, be they bikers or poets or movie stars or, all, just golfers. THE STORY OF THE MASTERS It started in 1934, then officially called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The 85th version begins April 8, and the chances are good it will be another humdinger. David Barrett’s “The Story of the Masters: Drama, Joy and Heartbreak at Golf’s Most Iconic Tournament” (Tatra Press, $30) will be a good companion. It’s actually 84 detailed stories of the competition, round by round, with yearly charts of the top-10 finishers. Truth be told, in lesser hands this could have been a stultifying reading experience, especially if you go at it from cover to cover as I did. Most won’t — it’s more of a book to dip into for pleasure or reference as needed. Granted, toward the end, I found myself skimming over a few of the details of where players stood after the Friday rounds. But that said, Barrett knows the

territory, having covered many an Augustian tournament himself (we reviewed his early history of the tournament, “Making the Masters,” back in the June-July 2012 issue). Caps off to him for making the book W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

as readable as it is. There is a certain tantalizing aspect to reading it straight through. The cumulative effect is like watching a time-lapse film, history sped up, as Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones give way to Nelson and Hogan and Snead, who then start to fade as rookie Arnold Palmer appears in 1955, and then blazes like a star as Nicklaus and Gary Player make their entrances. Cue Watson and Ballesteros, Langer, Faldo and the luckless Greg Norman, Couples and Crenshaw, the young Tiger Woods, the young Jordan Spieth, the old Tiger Woods. Add to this the sense that, in many years, the Masters outcome was often in doubt until the final putt. (Of course, Dustin Johnson blew it away last year, making for one of the dullest tournaments in decades except, no doubt, for him.) That the Masters remains one of golf’s most exciting and suspenseful recurring dramas is probably why we’ve tended to forgive it its once hidebound traditions and insufferable self-importance. (Come the revolution…!) Lee Elder finally broke the color barrier in 1975, and Tiger Woods underlined that in his extraordinary 12-stroke victory in his professional Masters debut in 1997. But mostly Barrett leaves the societal aspects of the Masters as a background murmur, to concentrate on the play itself. Here, too, the firsts flip by: the first green jacket ceremony in 1949 (to Sam Snead), the first 36hole cut in 1957, the first successful defense of a title — by Nicklaus, who won in 1965 and 1966. (Barrett naturally answers the critical question that arises: “Nicklaus put the jacket on himself.”) The par-3 contest debuted in 1960, won by Snead (a winner has yet to claim the main tournament title in the same year). Gary Player was the first international winner in 1961. And from 1960-1966 one of The Big Three was a winner: Palmer in ‘60, ‘62 and ‘64, Player in ‘61, Nicklaus in ‘63, ‘65, ‘66. In 1964, Barrett notes, Palmer missed by one stroke being, “...the first player with four rounds in the 60s—a feat that wasn’t accomplished until 2020 when Cameron Smith did it.” (Yet lost to Johnson by five strokes!) And so it goes, in what will surely be the definitive chronicle of every year of golf’s first major (usually). Until this year’s tournament is over, anyway — in my crystal ball I foresee annual new editions of Barrett’s tome with the latest iteration slipped neatly in.

RULES cont. from page 12

return to a spot much further back to play to play his next shot. Fortunately for Viktor, as he was walking back to play his next shot, video evidence became available confirming Viktor’s assertion that his ball had struck land and had crossed the edge of the Penalty Area where he had estimated. Using Reasonable Judgment Rule 1.3b(2) allows a player to use Rea- Unfortunately for Viktor he would later sonable Judgment in determining a loca- receive a two-stroke penalty for failing to replace his ball on the tion, such as estimating correct spot when his where a ball crossed mother, while viewthe edge of a Penalty ing the network teleArea. During the first cast from Norway, round of the Players informed Viktor that Championship, Viktor he had incorrectly reHovland hit his second placed his ball mark on shot on the par 5 11th the putting green and hole into the red Pensubsequently played alty Area. Because Vikfrom a wrong place. tor and his caddie were While video evithe only ones to see his dence should be used ball land on the narrow to make correct rulstrip of land between a ings, it is simply not bunker and the Penalty available for 99.9 perArea, Viktor asked for cent of golfers. The an opinion from a rules modernized rules asofficial. Even though sume players are honthe official did not see Viktor Hovland est and act with inViktor’s second shot and Viktor was allowed to use reason- tegrity by allowing players to assess all able judgment to determine where his ball reasonably available information, detercrossed the edge of the Penalty Area, the mine virtual certainty, and make reasonrules official informed Viktor that he must able judgments. ly received the one-shot penalty. Because he was acting on the advice of the official, Knox was not penalized for failing to replace his ball.

WOGA cont. from page 10

ground is in accounting and my husband and I ran a safety-and-first aid company their WGA Kick Offs. One of the exciting changes WOGA had for 15 years before selling the business and for 2020 was implementing Golf Genius retiring. I took up golf in 2000 after retiring and as our membership/tournament management program. While it was challenging it was hooked. I love the social aspect as well as the playing. certainly proved What a great way to be beneficial Your 2021 Executive Board: to enjoy God’s for our members. President – Laurie Campbell beauty in nature Although the Vice President – Louise Blumenthal Johnson and meet so many membership reTreasurer – Christy Hansen wonderful people newal process has Secretary – Linda Cohlmia as well. presented some Past President – Susan Ferguson It is my pleaissues for some of At Large Board Members: sure to serve you you, we are diliKimberlee Bell, Beth Brown, Rebecca Davis, for the next few gently working to Teresa DeLarzelere, Fran Derrick, Nancy years as your resolve them. Ford, Lori Garrison, Pat McKamey, Marna WOGA president. With 2021 Raburn, Cherie Rich, Diane Schmidt, Letty Please feel free to comes a new Watt, Kathy West. contact me with WOGA board. I any questions or would like to introduce myself, Laurie Campbell, as your concerns. I look forward to seeing you at new WOGA president. I have been on the our future WOGA tournaments and events Tom Bedell figures he has about 15 states or so WOGA Board for five years – four as trea- in 2021. Thank you for your support of surer and 2020 as vice president. My back- WOGA! to go to fill out his golf dance card. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

EQUIPMENT

Rangefinders at the Senior PGA by ed travis

he KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship comes to Southern Hills Country Club May 27 to 30 and is eagerly anticipated by golf fans though limited numbers will be allowed on property. This is the 83rd Senior PGA; the first being contested in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club. Last year’s Championship was canBLUE TEES GOLF SERIES 2 TOUR Flag lock vibration Adjustable optics Water resistant Battery powered Carrying case $179.99 slope version $199.99 BUSHNELL PRO XE Target lock vibration & visual 7X magnification, 500-yard range Magnetic cart mount

celled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will be only the second top tier professional tournament where the use of distance-measuring devices (DMDs) will be allowed, the first being the PGA Champion held the prior week. The PGA of America made the announcement in February approving the use of DMDs citing a 2006 change in the Rules of Golf that included a provision giving local tournament committees the right to OK their use. Until the February announcement DMDs have not been approved by Slope on/off switch Water resistant Battery powered Carrying case $549.99 CALLAWAY 250+ Flag lock vibration 6X magnification, 950-yard range Slope on/off switch Magnetic cart mount Water resistant Battery powered Carrying Case $249.99 GOLFBUDDY LASER 1S Flag lock vibration LCD display 6X magnification, 880-yard range Slope on/off switch Water resistant Battery powered $157.99 PINNED BLACKJACK Flag lock vibration Slope measurement USB charger HD LCD screen 6X magnification, 800-yard range Water resistant Carrying case $199.99 PRECISION PRO NX9 SLOPE Flag lock vibration Slope measurement LCD display 6X magnification Battery powered $269.99, non-slope $219.99

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

any of the top professional tours including the PGA Tour though competitors in the U.S. Amateur have had the option since 2014. Jim Richardson, president of the PGA of America was quoted in the release to the media, “We’re always interested in methods that may help improve the flow of play during our Championships. The use of distance-measuring devices is already common within the game and is now a part of the Rules of Golf. Players and caddies have long used them during practice rounds to gather relevant yardages.” During practice rounds professionals use DMDs, usually laser rangefinders SHOT SCOPE PRO L1 Target lock vibration 6x magnification, 875-yards range Slope on/off switch Adjustable eyepiece Water resistant Battery powered Carrying case $199.99 TECTECTEC ULT-X Flag lock vibration 6X magnification, 1,000-yard range Slope on/off switch Adjustable optics Water resistant Battery powered Carrying case $249.99 VOICE CADDIE L4 Target lock vibration LCD screen 6X magnification, 1,000-yard range Slope on/off switch Water resistant Battery powered $249.99 ZERO FRICTION LASER PRO SM Target lock vibration Slope on/off switch 6X magnification, 875-yards range LCD screen Waterproof Pistol-shaped handle Battery powered Magnetic cart mount Carrying case $329.99, without slope $229.99 W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

Aganorsa Leaf Signature Selection Maduro Belicoso by laramie navrath & demario brown

n 1998, Eduardo Fernandez went to Nicaragua with a dream: to grow the finest tobacco in the world that captured the essence of the Cuban cigars of old. To do this, he traveled to Cuba and assembled a world class team of Cuban agronomists who worked at the highest levels and brought them to Nicaragua. These men oversaw the production of tobacco during the heyday of Cuban cigars. These men were able to recreate the style and aroma of Cuban cigars using Cuban methods with the resources available to them in Nicaragua. The tobacco they cultivated is named Aganorsa Leaf. After 20 plus years, Aganorsa Leaf is renowned throughout the world for its signature flavor that possesses all the great

rather than a GPS unit since a GPS unit must be adjusted for the pin’s location on the green while a laser rangefinder instantly gives the distance often to within one yard. Combined with a yardage book showing the green depth and width plus hazard locations a laser rangefinder is a practical yet sophisticated tool. Some have a feature that measures the amount a shot is uphill or downhill, i.e., the slope, and may be able to recommend the proper club but neither feature is permitted in tournaments. Clearly by okaying DMDs the PGA is hoping to improve the pace of play in the championships they sponsor but whether that happens remains to be seen. A few cynics have pointed out approval of DMDs may stimulate sales of rangefinders in local golf shops most of which are run by PGA Professionals who are members of the Association. The staff at Golf Oklahoma uses laser rangefinders and thought it would be a good idea to give readers some information should they be interested in purchasing a unit. Distance-measuring devices such as laser rangefinders are allowed for use in rounds posted for purposes of calculating a handicap. Note, most brands have more than one model. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

attributes of Nicaraguan terroir with classic Cuban aroma and flavor. As a vertically integrated company, Aganorsa Leaf oversees the entire production process from seed to ash ensuring every cigar consistently produces the maximum smoking pleasure. The Signature Maduro blend was released in 2019 and features a proprietary Shade Grown Corojo Maduro wrapper that is selected from the higher primings of Corojo 99 Cuban Seed grown on Aganorsa Leaf farms in Jalapa under shade canvas. This wrapper leaf is then naturally cured for a long period of time, enhancing flavors while adding dimension and depth. The initial appearance of the Aganorsa Leaf Signature Maduro is a dark and rich oily wrapper. The construction is somewhat firm and dense to the touch. Hints of sweet sorghum, notoriously associated with fermented tobacco, as well as

dried fruits are found on the cold draw. At light up, one can discern the rich body and full flavor of the smoke. Dark chocolate, toasted nuts and black pepper spices start off the first third of this smoke. The draw has slight resistance, which is a nice aspect giving the cigar more strength and body. The spices of the Signature Maduro pair nicely with a smooth bourbon or scotch and makes for a great after dinner smoke. Moving into the second 1/3rd of the cigar, the initial pepper notes have moved to the retro-hale. Notes of caramel and salty butter linger on the top of the palate. The smoke production is robust, with few touch-ups required. The final 1/3rd of the smoke is very creamy & buttery with a big push of sweetness. The spices are mellow and toasted nuts return allowing for a clean finish. The burn is nice and slow giving an overall smoking time of roughly an hour and twenty minutes plus. I feel company owner Max Franandez says it best, “You will not find a Nicaraguan Puro Maduro that tastes like this one. We take pride in curing our Aganorsa Leaf grown on our best farms to use in cigars layered in balanced flavor and complexity.”

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www.ztcigars.com (800) 340-3007 APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

CHIP SHOTS

News around the state Sponsored by

Felder to join SCS Hall of Fame cap system now as when I came in and that’s been a slow process but one very

by ken macleod

t was a huge thrill for Oklahoma Golf Association Executive Director Mark Felder to be the one to inform longtime PGA professional and mentor Art Proctor that he had been voted into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame. Felder received some similar good news of his own this year, learning that he would be the lone inductee into the South Central PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2021. He

Mark Felder

joins Mike Hansen of Quail Creek Country Club in Oklahoma, the 2020 Professional of the Year, as recipients of two of the section’s most prestigious awards. Felder is being honored for his work as a PGA professional leading the state’s top amateur golf body. He has served as executive director of the Oklahoma Golf Association since 2002 and those 20 years have helped bring the state’s club professionals and courses into a more mutually beneficial working relationship in terms of course ratings, handicaps, rules, hosting events and working together to build the state’s reputation as a hotbed of junior golf talent. “It’s been a great opportunity and it’s been wonderful,” Felder said. “We have three times as many people on the handi-

Club in Oklahoma City from 1989 to 2002. He was an assistant at John Conrad in Midwest City from 1984-89 and started his career as an assistant at Kickingbird Golf Golf Professional of the Year Mike Hansen, Quail Creek Golf & Country Club Course in Edmond in 1977. Assistant Golf Professional of the Year One of his signature achievements as Trent Rommann, Crestview Country Club president of the section from 2002-04 Teacher of the Year was starting an investment committee in Ryan Rody, Southern Hills Country Club 2003. Helped by Rick Nuckolls and Steve Bill Strausbaugh Award Carson, the committee took a modest sum Tim Fleming, Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club and helped it grow into a fund that helped Professional Development Award significantly when the section built new Brian Davis, South Central Section offices at its headquarters in Broken Arrow. Player Development Award Felder was named the section ProfessionRyan Rody, Southern Hills Country Club Youth Player Development al of the Year in both 2000 and 2004 and Kyley Tetley, The Club at Indian Springs was the Bill Strausbaugh Award winner in Patriot Award 1988 and 2002. Jarod Lundy, Winter Creek Golf & Country Club More than any individual awards, he relDeacon Palmer Award ishes the growth of junior golf in the state. Bob Ralston, Stuttgart Country Club (1949-2020) “What’s happened with the Oklahoma Public Merchandiser Junior Golf Tour is a feather in our cap,” Tyler Woodward, Jimmie Austin Golf Club he said. “And we’re going to be putting Resort Merchandiser way more emphasis into it going forward Rob Yanovitch, Shangri La Golf Club in terms of staffing and rules officials. Our Private Merchandiser Derrick Vest, The Patriot Golf Club state junior championship at Kickingbird is Salesperson of the Year off the charts good, particularly with TayBrett Dotson, Srixon/Cleveland Golf/XXIO/ASICS lor Moore helping out. Hall of Fame Inductee “So we’re proud of our juniors, our WalkMark Felder, Oklahoma Golf Association er Cup players (Austin Eckroat and Quade Player of the Year Cummins), our magazine (Golf OklaTrent Rommann, Crestview Country Club homa) and the role it plays in supporting Senior Player of the Year junior golf. The OGA has evolved into an Tim Fleming, Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club important part of golf in Oklahoma and Super Senior Player of the Year we’re glad to play our role.” Rusty Wortham, Life Member Assistant Player of the Year Here is the complete list of section Andre Tourinho, Broken Arrow Golf & Athletic Club award winners. The annual spring meeting and banquet was canceled, so the beneficial for the OGA. We now have over winners will be recognized at dinner following the first round of the Professional 15,000 golfers with USGA handicaps.” Prior to joining the OGA, Felder was the Championship Aug. 16 at Oklahoma City head professional at Twin Hills Country Golf & Country Club.

Tidland takes over at Stillwater CC by ken macleod

hris Tidland has traveled far and wide and played many of the world’s top courses pursuing a professional golf career since his days as an All-American at Oklahoma State, but he always winds up back in Stillwater. Much as his best friend Alan Bratton landed as head men’s golf coach at OSU, Tidland is now the head professional at Stillwater Country Club, having been promoted from his assistant post. His 18

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

Chuck Coatney

Chris Tidland

love for the town and university runs deep. “I fell in love with Stillwater a long time ago,” Tidland said. “And with this course. This is where Alan and I played every day before there was a Karsten Creek. I live right on the first fairway and I’ve raised my kids here. I’ve known a lot of these members for 20 plus years. It should be a seamless transition.” Tidland replaces Chuck Coatney, who is retiring as both head professional and general manager. Coatney will be reW W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

placed as GM by Dawn Coleman while Tidland takes over the pro shop. Coatney said he was looking forward to spending some time actually getting to play the game and would be looking to sharpen up his game to be able to compete with his wife, Oklahoma Golf Hall of Famer Patty Coatney. Tidland, who teamed with Bratton from 1990-95 at OSU, including the famous takedown of Tiger Woods’ Stanford team at Ohio State in the spring of their senior year, played professionally for most of the past 25 years, bouncing between the PGA Tour, the various incarnations of the current Korn Ferry Tour, and also at times on mini tours. Two recent shoulder surgeries forced his hand in retirement, but they were not the only injuries he battled. He had shoulder surgery in 2012 and was never able to achieve his earlier consistency after that. Tidland has worked hard to gain his Class A status as a club professional, though he was a bit uncertain how he would react to all the myriad duties of a club pro compared to a touring pro, who has one objective. “I was hoping I could stay in the game,” Tidland said. “I love the game and didn’t want to stop playing, but I just couldn’t.

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2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

Southern Hills awaits selves this year and next year with two great championships and then we’ll see what they decide ot many general for 2030. managers, superSidorakis, 62, would have intendents and been 70 if the PGA Champidirectors of golf outside of onship kept its 2030 date. It Augusta National get the moved up when the PGA of opportunity and responsiAmerica took the 2022 event bility of preparing for major from Trump Bedminster afchampionships in succester the Jan. 6 riot at the Capisive years. Fortunately for Southern Nick Sidorakis tol Building. “I’m ecstatic we have it Hills Country Club in Tulsa, now,” Sidorakis said. “It Nick Sidorakis, Russ Myers makes the golf course releand Cary Cozby have the vant. You never know what’s talent, experience and equagoing to happen with the nimity to handle just such a game or the course in nine challenge with aplomb. years. God willing I can witSo when the KitchenAid ness the next two and hopeSenior PGA Championship fully a third.” tees off May 27-30, all signs The field of 156 seniors point to a hugely successRuss Myers includes 31 major championful event, one that should ship winners and 11 memtransition smoothly into bers of the World Golf Hall of preparations for the 2022 Fame. All will be challenged PGA Championship. And if by the classic Perry Maxwell both those events go off as design which underwent an planned, well the 2030 date $11 million restoration by that Southern Hills previarchitect Gil Hanse, restorously held before moving up ing a more natural look to is still open. the bunkers and adding an “I’m proud that we were Cary Cozby extensive hydronics system able to land 2022,” Sidorakis said. “Hopefully we will prove our- under the greens so Myers can reguby ken macleod

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

late the temperature of the bent grass year round. Just as importantly, Hanse rebuilt the greens to as close as possible to Maxwell’s 1936 originals. They now tie in with their surrounds more naturally, meaning balls will wander off the green and down slopes. Combined with greens that are virtually always going to be firm and fast, the course is playing two to three shots harder for members than previous to the renovation. For the seniors, Myers and Kerry Haigh, chief championships officer of the PGA of America, will set up the course at close to 6,900 yards with green speeds of 11.5 on the stimpmeter. The rough is unlikely to be more than 2.5 inches, particularly after a harsh winter, but the chance of high winds and even storms in May is ever present. “At 6,900 yards, it will really let the architecture dictate how they play the course,” Myers said. “It’s about playing all the slopes and doglegs and features. If the wind gets up, they’ll have a hard time. I could see the winning score being 14 under or as high as 2 under. “The PGA wants people to play well. It’s not looking to cut their knees off. These guys love to play a classic W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Chart compiled by Clyde Chrisman

HOW THE FIELD HAS FARED AT SOUTHERN HILLS IN PREVIOUS EVENTS (AGE IN BRACKETS) Allen, Michael 2001 (12) 2007 (12) Ames, Stephen (57) Andrade, Billy (57) 1994 (47) 2001 (cut) Armour III, Tommy (61) 1994 (cut) Austin, Woody (57) 1995 (4) 2007 (cut) 1994 (cut) Baker Peter (53) Beem, Rich (50) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) Brier Marcus (52) 2007 (cut) Brooks, Mark (60) 1994 (cut) 1996 (27) 2001 (2) 2007 (cut) Byrum, Tom (60) 2001 (44) 2001 (7) 2007 (cut) Cabrera, Angel (51) Calcavecchia, Mark (60) 1994 (cut) 1995 (27) 1996 (15)2001(24) 2007(cut) Campbell, Michael (52) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) 2001 (cut) 2007 (12) Choi, KJ (51) Clarke, Darin (52) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) 2001 (52) Coceres, Jose (57) Couples, Fred (61) 1982 (3) 1994 (39) 1996 (5) 2001 (cut) 1994 (cut) 2007 (32) Daly, John (55) Day, Glenn (55) 1994 (15) 2001 (cut) 2001 (cut) Dennis, Clark (55) Dimarco, Chris (52) 2001 (16) 2007 (cut) Duke, Ken (52) 2007 (18) Scott Dunlap (57) 2001 (52) Durant, Joe (57) 2001 (24) 2007 (18) Els, Ernie (51) 1994 (25) 1995 (16) 1996 (6) 2001 (66) 2007 (3) Estes, Bob (56) 1994 (47) 2001 (30) Faxon, Brad (59) 1994 (30) 1996 (2) 2001 (cut) Flesch, Steve (54) 2001 (cut) 2007 (23) Frost, David (61) 1994 (25) Funk, Fred (64) 1994 (55) 1995 (27) 1996 (14) 2001 (44) 2007 (cut)

Furyk, Jim (51) 2001 (62) 2007 (cut) 2001 (1) 2007 (23) Goosen, Retief (52) Goydos, Paul (56) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) 1977 (5) 1982 (5) 1994 (14) 1995 (20) Haas, Jay (67) Hamilton, Todd (55) 2007 (66) Hoch, Scott (65) 1994 (cut) 1995 (27) 1996 (18) 2001 (16) 2001 (74) 2007 (cut) Jaidee, Thongchai (51) Janzen, Lee (56) 1994 (66) 1995 (20) 2001 (cut) Jimenez, Miguel Angel (57) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) Jobe, Brandt (55) 2001 (52) 2001 (30) 2001 (48) Jones, Steve (62) Karlsson, Robert (51) 2001 (57) 2007 (cut) Kelly, Jerry (54) Kite, Tom (71) 1977 (27) 1982 (9) 1994 (9) 2001 (5) Lane, Barry (60) 1994 (25) Langer, Bernhard (63) 1994 (25) 2001 (40) 2001 (cut) Lawrie, Paul (52) Leaney, Stephen (52) 2007 (cut) Lehman, Tom (62) 1994 (39) 1995 (12) (1996) (1) 2001 (24) 2007 (69) Love III, Davis (57) 1994 (cut) 1995 (16) 1996( 13) 2001 (7) 2007(cut) Lyle, Sandy (63) 1994 (73) 1994 (cut) 1996 (27) 2001 (44) Maggert, Jeff (57) McGinely, Paul (54) 2007 (60) Mediate, Rocco (58) 2001 (40 2007 (WD) Micheel, Shawn (52) 2007 (32) Mize, Larry (62) 1994 (15) Montgomerie, Colin(57) 1994 (36) 2001 (52) 2007 (42) Olazabal Jose Maria(55) 1994 (7) 2001 (cut) 2007 (cut) O’Meara, Mark (64) 1995 (13) 1996 (18) 2001 (cut) Pampling, Rod (51) 2007 (42) Parnevik, Jesper (56) 1994 (cut) 2001 (30) 2007 (42)

Pavin, Corey (61) 1994 (2) 1995 (2) 1996 (21) 2001 (19) 2007 (62) Jerry Pate (67) 1977 (cut) 1982 (9) 1994 (55) 1995 (20) 996 (4) 2007 (23) Perry, Kenny (60) Petrovic, Tim (54) 2001 (62) 2001 (WD) Price, Phillip (54) Quigley, Brett (51) 2001 (cut) 2007 (62) 1994 (9) 1995 (11) 1996 (WD) 2001 (8) Roberts, Loren (65) Sandelin, Jarmo (54) 2001 (WD) 2007 (4) Senden, John (50) Simpson, Scott (65) 1982 (32) 1995 (4) Singh, Vijay (58) 1994 (cut) 1995 (6) 1996 (9) 2001 (7) 2001 (cut) Sluman, Jeff (63) 1994 (25) 1996 (9) 2007 (cut) Stricker, Steve (54) 1996 (3) 2001 (cut) 2007 (23) 2001 (44) 2007 (9) Sutherland, Kevin(56) Toledo, Esteban (58) 2001 (cut) 2001 (66) 2007 (42) Toms, David (54) Triplett, Kirk (59) 1994 (15) 1995 (20) 2001 (7) 2001 (22) 2007 (9) Verplank, Scott (56) Waldorf, Duffy (58) 1996 (26) 2001 (44) Weir, Mike (51) 2001 (29) 2007 (cut)

FIELD NOTES 82 or the 147 registered have played in championships at Southern Hills. All 31 of the Major Championship winners have played at SHCC. Tom Kite is the oldest in the field at 71. Tom Kite, Jay Haas and Jerry Pate played in 1977 (44 years ago). Kite, Haas and Pate plus Couples and Simpson played in 1982. Calcavecchia, Els, Funk, Lehman, Love, Pavin, and Singh have played here 5 times (1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2007). Brooks, Couples, Haas, Hoch, Kite, Perry and Roberts have played here 4 times.

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

course where you don’t have to manufacture golf out there.” Many in the field will have played Southern Hills as many as five times previously in high level competition. Retief Goosen, who won the U.S. Open in 2001, is back, as is Tom Lehman, who won the 1996 Tour Championship. “You always love to get an opportunity to play a classic design like Southern Hills,” Lehman said. “It’s always been a shot maker’s course and will continue to be,” Sidorakis said. “it will put a premium on having a great short game.” Before the pandemic, Sidorakis and his team of member volunteers had already set a record for corporate sales for this event. Now many of those sales are being combined with 2022 packages. There will not be traditional fully enclosed corporate tents for 2021 but there will be open air tents. Access to the clubhouse will be limited, which means only players and a few others will be able to enjoy the new history hall looking at the club’s long history of championship golf. Sidorakis has devoted himself to the renovations and the championships, but

nothing pulls harder at his heart and soul than the club’s support of The First Tee of Tulsa, one of the most successful First Tee branches in the country and one of the few in which all programs are free to the participants. Both the Tuesday pro-am and a Wednesday player’s clinic will raise funds for the First Tee of Tulsa. For regular ticket buyers, the experience will be slightly different than normal. There is very limited onsite parking, so the best bet is to get an Uber or other ride share to drop inside the gate. There may be some parking paid or unpaid at businesses nearby on Lewis Ave., but there will be no shuttles. The final number of ticket sales per day was negotiated between the PGA of America and the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County Health Department and announced at 8,000 per day. There will be no bleachers on the course, but there will be concession stands and a merchandise tent. • Tickets: All tickets can be purchased in advance at www.srpga.com. Those who purchase early will have first priority access to purchase tickets for the 2022 PGA Championship. • Parking: Plan to use ride shares or park within walking distance of Southern

Hills. Some parking may be available at businesses on Lewis Ave. • Covid 19 protocols. Tickets will be limited to a number specified by the Tulsa Health Department. There will not be temperature testing on entry. Contestants are tested before arrival and are discouraged from attending pro-am parties and signing autographs. There will not be any bleachers, but there will be areas, such as above the greens on holes nine and 18, where socially distanced seating is allowed. KitchenAid will have several kiosks doing cooking demonstrations. There will be an area to register for 2022 PGA Championship tickets. “Hopefully it will be as close to a normal experience for the fans as we can be at this stage,” said Championship Director Bryan Karns. • The event will be televised on The Golf Channel and NBC. Times are noon to 3 p.m. on Golf Channel Thursday and Friday. Saturday coverage will run on NBC from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., then switch Golf Channel from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Final round coverage Sunday will begin on Golf Channel at 2 p.m. and switch to NBC from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Member FDIC

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2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Lehman

Lehman. When Oral Roberts had its dominating golf teams in 1980 and 1981 under coach Bill Brogden, famously with four by ken macleod stars in Bill Glasson, Joey Rassett, Jim Kane and Bryan Norton, Lehman toyed with the idea of transferring from Minnesota to be the fifth starter. “The idea of it was alluring,” Lehman said. “I was thinking I would like to go somewhere and om Lehman’s place in the to be a great putter to go low as he gave play more year round. I was following all storied history of magnifi- himself numerous easy birdie opportunities the results and knew that ORU could use a fifth man. My junior and senior years would cent events at Southern Hills each round. “Starting in about 1993, my game was have been the two where they had that reCountry Club is secure. He came to Tulsa for the season-ending really rising,” Lehman said. “From the mid- ally powerful team.” Getting a full ride at Minnesota and getTour Championship in 1996 as one of the 1990s into the early 2000s I drove the ball I hit my irons phenomenally ting to play every event, Lehman eventuworld’s best players and cemented that great. well and gave myself so ally decided to stay put. That didn’t stop with a command four-round routing of the many chances that him from teasing Brogden when he spoke elite 30-man field. Having already won the when I was put- at a church in Tulsa during the 1996 event. Open Championship and finished second “The first thing he did was remind everyting well, I could not in the U.S. Open Championship for the body that I blew a chance to win two naa lot.” second consecutive year, Lehman’s star only win but win by tional championships,” said Brogden, who After a rain-delayed fiwas definitely on the rise. was sitting in the front row that morning. nal round 71, LehmYes, there “I don’t know how close it actually an finished at 12-under was this came to happening but we did 268, a stroke better than 19-year-old talk,” Brogden said. “I don’t Nick Price’s dominating pernamed Tiknow what to say other formance in the 1994 ger Woods than I screwed up. PGA Championin the field, Tom was a ship. He won by six someone who strokes over Faxon. was about to He had the lowchange everyest stroke average one’s expectaon Tour, won the tions for future money title and was success. In that Player of the Year. moment, howIt could have easever, Lehman ily been Lehman’s seemed invinsecond victory in cible. His thirdthe Tulsa area. In round 6-under 1991, as a little64, keyed by known pro from four consecuMinnesota, he tive birdies to Give me some room, Vijay! nearly won the Ben begin the back nine, left him nine shots clear of Vijay Singh Hogan Tulsa Open at The Golf and Brad Faxon with the rest of the field a Club of Oklahoma, losing in a two-hole playoff to Frank Conblur in the rear-view mirror. Using his powerful draw, Lehman’s driv- ner. Winning in Tulsa also could ing was accurate and long and his iron play was so precise at that time he didn’t need have been a homecoming for

looks to rekindle magic at Southern Hills

Tom Lehman at the 76th Senior PGA Championship at French Lick Springs Resort in 2015. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/The PGA of America)

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

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wonderful kid, now he’s a wonderful man. it from there out. He was one of the few guys I’ve ever met who could seemingly He’s rock solid.” Now a volunteer assistant coach at ORU, exceed every expectation. “There were a lot of tournaments where Brogden and Lehman are long-time friends. you would play well Lehman lives in Scottsand normally win but dale as does Brogden’s of course he’s winning daughter and the two every third tournament have kept in touch over and that doesn’t leave a the years. lot for everybody else. Lehman finished in When I think about the top 25 of 19 of 23 going against Tiger, it events he entered in wasn’t that his driving that dominant 1996 seawas that great, but his son. He would only win iron play was amazing. one PGA Tour event And mentally he was after that year to finish so strong. There were with five victories, but a lot of rounds where I has won 12 times in a felt like I was playing Champions Tour career better and he ended up that began in 2009, inbeating me. No matter cluding the Senior PGA what it took he had that Championship in 2010. extra something special Woods is one reason and could beat you in so victories were scarcer At the 1996 Tour Championship many ways.” after 1996. Now 25 years removed from his pinna“It was obvious when he made the field in 1996 after only playing about six events cle year, Lehman remains one of the most that there was something special about respected and well-liked players in the him,” Lehman said. “While he didn’t play game. He stays extremely fit and is lookwell at Southern Hills, of course he proved ing forward to the challenge of playing the

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restored Southern Hills. He tied for 24th in the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills and tied for 69th in the 2007 PGA Championship at age 48. “Anytime you get a chance to play a classic course it’s a thrill,” said Lehman, a noted golf course architect in his own right. “Perry Maxwell did such a great job with the routing there and it’s a great challenge for the players. “The course chips away at you rather than punches you in the face. If you get out of position, you make a bogey. Suddenly you’re 4 over. That’s the genius of those old classic designs, they have the ability to penalize you by a ¼ or ½ shot. It’s quite an 18hole mental test. If I can have a really good week driving the ball, you feel like you can attack it somewhat. But it takes a complete game to win on a course like this.” If Phil Mickelson plays, Lehman will also have had a hand in that. He pulled Mickelson aside for a quiet talk after the funeral of Tom Watson’s wife Hilary in December 2019 and discussed with him how much his presence would mean to the senior circuit and its future viability. Mickelson, who until that time had cast doubt on his participation, responded by playing and winning two events in 2020 and has played in a third event this spring.

APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Sooner by chance Meeting coach in Oxford dive led to great OU career strongest player, wound up winning at least one event on the PGA Tour, while Martin, now the golf coach at Cincinnati, t’s funny how things work out. If Gregg Grost hadn’t stopped in won on the Nike Tour. Rick Bell, longtime Ping rep in Oklahoa dive called The Gin after attending a wedding in Oxford, Miss., in ma, was a reserve during Day’s two years and a starter on the summer of 1986, Glen Day would the 1989 team not be a proud representative of the that won Oklahoma Sooner golf program. the naWho knows, he may not tional even be a professional golfer. Instead, he’s a strong candidate to win when the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is contested at Southern Hills, an event Day is looking forward to immensely. Back to that chance meeting in Oxford. Day, a headstrong youngster from Poplarville, Miss., was more enamored with fraternity life than golf early in his Ole Miss career. A meeting with coach Ernest Ross and Athletic Director Warner Alford resulted in Day being “politely” told he had two weeks to clear out. Grost had recruited Day a bit in high school and recognized him in the campus Glen Day dive. They struck up a conversation which ended with Day telling Grost he was going to come play for him at Oklahoma. “That was the last I thought about it,” Grost said. “Then in August, I get this call. “Coach, I’m on my way. See you in three days.” Grost said come on, and sure enough c h a m Day was there a few days later, beginning p i o n s h i p a wild two-year ride that left both frazzled at Oak Tree at times, but also with great mutual respect CC. His son Ryan is now a starter on the Norman High School team coached by and a long-lasting friendship. “We argued every day,” Grost said. “It Grost and he and Day have remained close was always about something different. He through the years. “When Glen came to OU, his deal at was just so passionate about playing and loved being at Oklahoma. And now, we’ve least the first year was that he didn’t want a scholarship, but he also only wanted to been best friends ever since.” The starting five in 1987 was Day, Todd practice when he wanted to,” Bell said. “He Hamilton, Grant Waite, Craig Perks and only wanted to play if he could beat the Doug Martin. Each of the five except Mar- other guys in qualifying. And there were tin, who at that time was regarded as the days when he didn’t want to (practice).” by ken macleod

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

Day led the Sooners to a runnerup finish in the NCAA Championship as a senior. The following year holdovers Martin, Matthew Lane and Jeff Lee joined with Tripp Davis and Bell to win it all. Early upon Day’s arrival at OU, Grost sent Day to Houston to see swing instructor Dan Snider, with whom Day works with to this day. Snider remembers Day arrived with empty pockets, but Snider talked him into paying for his lesson by babysitting his three kids while he and his wife went to a Rockets game. “I came home and the kids are running wild through the house and Glen is sound asleep on the sofa,” Snider said. Next day they went out in a rainstorm for their first lesson. Snider asked Day if he still wanted to go through with it and Day replied he had come there to work on the swing. So for the next four hours Day hit balls in the rain under Snider’s tutelage. “I went home and told my wife this kid is going to be successful,” said Snider, a member of the South Central Section Hall of Fame who teaches now out of The Alotian near Little Rock. “He’s got the determination and the work ethic. And he was.” After leading the Sooners to eight wins and finishes of second and third in two NCAA Tournaments, Day was ready for pro golf. He met Jennifer Ralston, daughter of another section Hall of Fame member Bob Ralston, at the Arkansas Open in 1990. The two have been happily married since and their two daughters both went to Ole Miss. No hard feelings. “Everything in life happens for a reason,” Day said. “I saw Coach Alford at a deal years later. I stuck out my hand and said ‘Coach, I don’t know if you remember me.’ He said, ‘son, I’ve watched your entire career and I am so proud of you.’ “ W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

Except for being overly deliberDay’s father-in-law Bob Ralston worked times in 2020. He is still as competitive as as both a club pro and a touring pro. One ever, though he has changed his approach ate, resulting in his nickname “All Day,” it would be hard to find many of the nicest men you could meet off the through the years. “Golf is about 98 percent mental,” Day Day critics. And his play seems to have course, his intensity on the course was said. “I’m just approaching the game dif- only gotten stronger of late. legendary. “He’s a very intelligent player who “Harvey Penick was asked what was the ferently in a lot of ways. Later in your best golf swing he ever saw,” Day said. “He life, you’re not so full of testosterone. knows where to hit it and where not to,” said it wasn’t Ben Hogan or Bryon Nelson You’re more relaxed and laid back, I don’t Snider said. “For a long time he had a phenomenal short game. or Sam Snead, it was It may not be as good this club pro out of Arnow, but his ballstrikkansas that you probing has gotten better ably never heard of. He and better.” was talking about Bob.” Day said fans who After two years in attend The Senior PGA Asia and a year on Championship will be the European Tour, amazed at the distance and armed with a deand accuracy of the playpendable fade that ers even into their 60s. kept him consistently “They don’t market in the center of the the Champions Tour fairway, Day earned the way they should, his PGA Tour card in but the product they 1994. He stayed out put out is just awethere consistently unGregg Grost Rick Bell Glen, back in the Day some,” Day said. “The til 2010, earning his lone victory at the MCI Classic in 1999. get as upset on the golf course. I’m play- event in Tulsa is going to be great. I can’t He has also played frequently on what is ing the same as I always have. I just ac- wait to see the course and I know a lot of now the Korn Ferry Tour until joining the cept my mistakes lot easier, allowing me folks there including, of course, (head proChampions Tour in 2016, where he fin- to get past a lot of shots and move on to fessional) Cary Cozby and that’s a great OU connection.” ished second twice in 2018 and two more the next one.”

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Brandt Jobe will represent Oak Tree National in the Senior PGA Championship.

Oak Tree Gang have mostly hung up their spurs by sam humphreys

ak Tree National in Edmond is famous for the Oak Tree Gang, comprised of the vast amount of tour players who have called Oak Tree home over the years. Thanks to the recent surge in young professionals calling the course home, we must clarify there are now really two gangs. The new gang is comprised of rising PGA Tour stars and NCAA collegiate stars such as Matthew Wolff, Viktor Hovland, Talor Gooch, Kevin Tway, Rhein Gibson, Michael Gellerman, Blake Trimble, Zach Bauchou, Taylor Moore, Charlie Saxon, Max McGreevy, Brad Dalke, Josh Creel, Hayden Wood, Austin Eckroat, Quade Cummins, Tyson Reeder, and Jordan Wilson. Much will be written about them in times to come. Today, we are focusing on the “Original Oak Tree Gang” and who you will see com28

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

peting when the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship returns to the state May 27-30 at Southern Hills Country Club. Dr. Gil Morgan The “Original Oak Tree Gang” included Willie Wood, David Edwards, Danny Edwards, Scott Verplank, Bob Tway, Dr. Gil Morgan, Mark Hayes and Doug Tewell. Added over the years were Jim Woodward, Rocky Walcher, and Brandt Jobe. Many were still playing when the 2014 U.S. Senior Open was held at Oak Tree National. Time has whittled that participation to a few this spring. Verplank and Jobe are eligible and plan to compete. Wood would need to play his way in this spring through the Champions Tour or receive an exemption. Morgan has not played in any events over

the past year. Tway and Tewell are retired, Hayes is deceased and Woodward and Walcher rarely compete in tournaments. Jobe joined Oak Tree National in 2018 after moving to the Nicholls Hills area from Dallas. This decision was to support his son, Jackson, one of the top baseball prospects in the country. Jackson wanted to play high school ball with his teammates from his travel team, and those teammates play at Heritage Hall in OKC. This decision was also a blessing for Jobe, who says he has never felt more at home at a golf club than at Oak Tree National. “From (owner) Everett Dobson, (COO) Tom Jones, and (director of golf) Steve Kimmel to all of the guys who I play with out here, everybody welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home from the beginning,” Jobe said. “I absolutely love Oklahoma and I can’t ever see myself moving back to Texas.” Jobe was born in Oklahoma City, before growing up in Denver and learning to play at Cherry Hills. His first love was baseball, and he is known as one of the best athletes on the Champions Tour. Both Wood and Verplank marveled at how strong Jobe is and how he can bomb the golf ball. “I guess part of it is the fact that growing up, baseball was my passion and I learned how to swing hard,” said Jobe, fifth on the Champions Tour in driving distance averaging 294.6 yards. When Jobe wasn’t caddying at Cherry Hills in the summertime, he would spend a month in OKC to visit family, where he would practice and play at Twin Hills. Jobe was a solid junior player, winning numerous events in and around Colorado. When it was time to pick a college, he chose UCLA and finished in the top 10 in his first event. In 1988, he helped lead the Bruins to the NCAA Championship by three shots over both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Jobe’s pro career started on the Canadian Tour, then he made it through Q school to get on the PGA Tour for the first time in 1991. After some struggles he found himself on the Japan Golf Tour, where he found his game again and won six times between 1995-1999. He earned a special temporary membership to the PGA Tour in 1999 and had his best year in 2006. In late 2006, everything changed. Jobe was sweeping leaves with his daughter, Brittan, and was using a giant square push broom, when all of the sudden the broom snapped and sliced his left thumb to the bone and cut off the tip of his index finger. After a healing process and many swing compensations, he tried to come back and compete in 2007, but in doing this he tore his left wrist from the bone compensating for the W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

pain and numbness in his fingers. In 2009 he the Boeing Classic. In 2020, he notched three had surgery on his wrist and lost his PGA Tour top-10s before the season was cut short due to card and was forced to play 2010 on the Na- COVID-19. Jobe attributes a lot of his success the past tionwide Tour, where he finished barely out of the Nationwide Top 25, forcing him to go to few years to playing Oak Tree National on a regular basis. Q school once again. In Q school “I’ve never been more unhe finished sixth which gave him comfortable than at Oak Tree status on the 2011 PGA Tour off the tee, and that makes othseason. While Jobe didn’t win on er courses seem easier to score the PGA Tour, he did notch 13 on,” Jobe said. wins worldwide before joining Of the other three who could the Champions Tour. compete, see the feature on VerJobe turned 50 in 2015 and plank on Page 36. Morgan is a finished as the medalist in PGA Champions Tour legend with Tour Champions Q School. 25 victories including finishing This led to a successful rookie in the top 25 in 75 percent of his season, finishing 23rd on the fi361 Champions Tour events. nal money list with seven topAt age 74, if Morgan decides 10s and three top-5s in senior to play at Southern Hills, it major championships. He concould be the last time golf fans tinued his great play into 2017 get to see him perform in perwhere he had his breakout year son at a major. on the Champions Tour as he Willie Wood Wood, 60, has been battling finished seventh on the money list with $1.4 million and a win at the Princi- for consistent status on the Champions Tour for a decade, much as he did in his long PGA pal Charity Classic. In 2018 he finished in the top 20 for the Tour career. The former Oklahoma State third consecutive year, which led to more star said his game is in better shape than it sterling play in 2019 where he finished in the has been in a long time. While he still has a top 20 again and also gained his second win at house on the course at Oak Tree National,

he has spent most of this winter playing and practicing in Scottsdale, Ariz., at Whisper Rock with his son Hayden Wood, who also played golf at Oklahoma State, and is also rising up the ranks in professional golf. Wood is familiar with Southern Hills, but has not played there in competition since the 2001 U.S. Open and not at all since the recent restoration by architect Gil Hanse. Wood said he would be thrilled to play in front of friends, family and local fans in Tulsa if he gets the opportunity. “It’s wonderful to play up the turnpike,” Wood said. “We don’t get to play tournaments close to home very often, so that definitely makes it special, and especially with it being a major makes it that much better.” Wood has won twice on the Champions Tour. His first came at the 2012 Dicks Sporting Goods Open, where he made a clutch 35foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation to force a playoff, where he ultimately beat Michael Allen. Wood calls that putt his most memorable shot of his career, which is saying something considering he had one of the most illustrious junior and amateur careers of anyone. His second win came at the Pacific Links Hawaii Championship, where he came from five shots back in the final round.

Cozby adds another title for tournament week: competitor by ken macleod

ary Cozby has played in high-pressure events from the NCAA Championship to the U.S. Amateur and six Professional National Championships, the Super Bowl of tournaments for those pros who work at a golf course for a living. So there was no panic when he found out he would soon be playing on one of the grandest stages of his life. In his inbox was a special invitation from PGA of America President Jim Richardson for the Southern Hills Director of Golf to compete in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship when it is contested May 27-30 at his home course. “I’m reading my email and of course at this time I’m getting a lot of emails from the PGA,” Cozby said. “I read that one from Jim and had to stop and read it again.” The first thing he did was show it to his 12-year-old son Banks, whom he next enlisted as his caddy. Wife Staci and mother Karole were “over the moon,” when he let them know. He W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

PGA Professional of the Year in 1985 and a member of the PGA of America Hall of Fame all were certainly good reasons for the PGA of America to extend this invitation. Cozby will join at least two other former Sooner greats in the field, as Glen Day, with informed younger brothers Craig and Chance, whom he was teammates for one year, and both of whom followed him to successful ca- Todd Hamilton, who was still playing and reers at the University of Oklahoma and into practicing in Norman after having just finished his career, when Cozby arrived in 1987, golf as a profession in various capacities. And thoughts were immediately directed are both in the event. Day is still a mainstay on the Champions Tour while to the one man who would Hamilton has an exemption as have been most proud and winner of The Open Champithrilled to watch him compete onship in 2004. in a major championship, faCozby said he would have ther and fellow PGA Profesto find time between all his sional of the Year Jerry Cozby, regular duties and preparawho passed away Aug. 23, tions for the event to put 2020. some serious practice time in “I know one guy who over the next few months but would have been really exthat his game was already in cited about this,” Cary said. decent shape. “This would have been really “I haven’t played much but special for him.” I’ve been practicing some,” Cozby, 52, missed the Cozby said. “I figured I might chance to qualify for this event Cary Cozby be a marker for someone so last as it was scheduled shortly after his father passed away. That, his long I was trying to get my game in shape and dedication to the PGA of America and the not embarrass myself. This makes it a little family history with Jerry having been the more urgent.” APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Crowning The King, a royal Senior history by john rohde

professional golf tour for seniors was established in 1980, sparked by the stunning success and intrigue of the Legends of Golf event staged the previous two years. The venture was launched as the Senior PGA Tour (1980-2002), was renamed the Champions Tour (2003-2015) and now goes by the PGA Tour Champions. Not coincidentally, the budding senior tour would debut with a magnetic drawing card in legendary Arnold Palmer, who happened to become eligible when he turned 50 on Sept. 10, 1979. Long before the inception of the senior tour, however, the Senior PGA Championship for decades served as the only highprofile tournament for golfers 50-and-older.

Founded in 1937, the first two Senior PGA Championships were held at Au- The inaugural Senior PGA Championship in 1937 won by Jock Hutchison gusta Nation- played at Augusta National Golf Club. Pictured is a 1937 tournament field al Golf Club. photo in the foreground of a PGA Dedication sign. Yes, the same majestic site that in 1934 had staged the jor since 1989). Palmer won seven majors on the PGA first “Augusta National Invitation Tournament,” which soon became known simply Tour, but was unable to complete a career Grand Slam when he failed to win the PGA as the “Masters.” The Senior PGA Championship is the Championship, although he did tie for secoldest of the five major championships in ond three times (including the 1970 chamsenior golf, the others being the U.S. Senior pionship held at Southern Hills and won by Open, the Senior Open Championship Dave Stockton). The formation of the senior tour allowed (informally referred to the Senior British Open), the Senior Players Championship Palmer to soon fill his major void when and The Tradition (a Champions Tour ma- he won the Senior PGA Championship in

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2021 KITCHENAID SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP “I think that being able to win this tour1980 and again in 1984. He also won the (which ranks fourth all-time) and $20.6 1981 U.S. Senior Open and the Senior Play- million in official earnings (third all-time nament at this point in time in my career ers Championship in 1984 and 1985, giving behind Bernhard Langer and Irwin), was at this location, well that would be a real the first- and third-round leader on his plus for me,” Morgan said after the third “The King” five senior major titles. round. “I feel like this Oak Tree’s Doug would be my last opTewell captured 2000 portunity. At this point Senior PGA Champiin my career, at this onship in dominatpoint in my life, this ing fashion, winning probably won’t ever by eight shots over come back here (Oak Hale Irwin, the senior Tree) in a time frame kingpin at the time. where I would be able Tewell’s eight career to compete.” Champions Tour vicAlas, Morgan faltories also include the tered with a closing2001 Tradition and the round 74 to finish third 2002 Legends of Golf. behind winner Jay This year’s KitchHaas and Brad Bryant. enAid Senior PGA Snead has captured Championship will be more Senior PGA tiheld at historic Southtles than anyone with ern Hills Country Club six (1964, 1965, 1967, in Tulsa on May 27-30. 1970, 1972, 1973). IrThe Senior PGA Doug Tewell won in 2000. Dr. Gil Morgan win won the event four Championship has been held in Oklahoma only once before, in home course. Morgan was 59 at the time times (1996, 1997, 1998, 2004), while Gary 2006 at Oak Tree Golf Club (now Oak Tree and his biological clock was ticking. He Player, Eddie Williams and Al Watrous had a chance to become the oldest Senior each own three titles. (Senior PGA ChamNational) in Edmond. Popular long-time Oak Tree resident Gil PGA Championship winner since Sam pionship winners prior to the first season of the senior tour are not considered major Morgan, who won 25 senior tour events Snead in 1973.

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Arnold Palmer is mobbed at the 1994 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, his last appearance in the event. champions of this event by the PGA Tour Champions.) The Senior PGA was a 36-hole event until 1954. After four years at 54 holes, it became a 72-hole event in 1958. PGA National Golf Course in Florida has staged the most Seniors PGA Championships, doing so 44 times.

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

2021 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME Cowboys coach and retiring athletic director Mike Holder said he regarded Verplank to be the best collegiate player ever, with the possible exception of Arizona State’s Phil Mickelson. “I went into a lot of amateur tournaments knowing that if I didn’t beat myself, then nobody else would, either,” Verplank said. “That’s a great feeling. I was lucky enough to have that for a little while. Heck, Tiger Woods has gone about 30 years with that feeling. That’s pretty good.” Verplank won five PGA Tour events and earned more than $29.5 million in official career earnings. In addition to winning the 1985 Western Open in a playoff against Jim Thorpe, Verplank also captured the 1988 BY JOHN ROHDE Buick Open (two strokes ahead of runner-up and fellow Hall of Famer and Oak Tree touring pro Doug Tewell), the 2000 Reno-Tahoe Open, the 2001 Bell Canadian Open and the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Verplank also captured the 1998 World Cup individual title. He now plays on the Champions Tour and has also embarked on a broadcasting caThe 56-year-old Verplank paused and jok- reer with CBS and the Masters.com website. As a new inductee, Verplank will join ingly surmised, “I don’t think I’d be in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame the way I’m fellow Oklahoma Golf Hall of Famer Bill Glasson (Class of 2019), who like Verplaying right now.” If you’re looking for candid and some- plank battled multiple physical ailments times painful answers to questions, Ver- throughout his career. Glasson has endured plank is your guy. Along the way, this oc- 20-something surgical procedures, although casionally has ruffled the feathers of fellow the exact number is uncertain. Informed of Glasson’s shocking total, club members and some tour players, but people have always known where Verplank Verplank said with a chuckle, “I’m not as big an addict as him. Unstands on any issue. “I’ll fortunately, I believe I’ve tell you the truth,” he said. had nine different surgerAnd here’s the truth: ies. I’d prefer to have had Verplank assembled an asnone.” tonishing amateur resume. Verplank’s official surgiHe was the 1982 AJGA cal scorecard: three on the Player of the Year and left wrist, two on the right won the Texas State Amaelbow, one on each shoulteur three times (1982, der, one on the left elbow 1984 and 1985). and one on the right thumb. A three-time, first-team There also were chronic All-American at Oklahobouts with plantar fasciitis. ma State, Verplank won Asked how much of his nine collegiate tournalife has been spent wearments, including being the ing some sort of cast, Ver1984 Big Eight and 1986 plank said, “I was always NCAA Championship in a sling for shoulders, medalist. Scott Verplank and Mike Holder. elbows and wrists. Not In addition to the 1984 U.S. Amateur, Verplank also won the Porter many casts, which is good.” The medical challenge of a lifetime came Cup twice and in 1985 swept the Western Amateur, Porter Cup and Sunnehanna Ama- with the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) teur en route to being named to the Walker when Verplank was age 9 and lapsed into a coma, which is why he carries a pager-sized Cup team. Upon Verplank’s induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, former See Verplank on page 40

Verplank's

remarkable journey

othing has ever simply been handed to Scott Verplank, including his 2021 induction into the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame. His entire career has been a never-ending quest of courage. One of the most accomplished amateurs in the sport’s history, Verplank steadily climbed Mount Everest, reaching the summit when he won the 1984 U.S. Amateur at his soon-to-be home course of Oak Tree Golf Club (now Oak Tree National) in Edmond. But roughly a decade after turning pro, Verplank found himself stranded in Death Valley trying to survive a slew of surgeries that would have sent mere mortals into early retirement. It would have been understandable for Verplank to wallow in what his pro career potentially could have been had it not been for all the medical maladies. In time, he instead has come to accept his achievements despite all the setbacks. “Looking back, I appreciate being able to do the stuff that I have up to this point. I really do,” Verplank said. “I’ve gotten to play in some of the best tournaments in the world. And I appreciate how good I was when I was 21 years old. I appreciate that now more than ever. I was on a track at an early age to do a lot more than I’ve done (as a pro). But at the same time, my window was a lot shorter just because of health reasons. I’m not complaining. I never have and I won’t. I’m pretty lucky to get to where I’m at, I think. I’ll just go with that.” 36

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

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MASTER YOUR SWING

ACE OUR GREENS

G E T R E A D Y F O R N O T H I N G B U T A G O O D T I M E AT W I N S TA R G O L F. C O M

Class of 2021 members Danny Edwards, Floyd Farley, Scott Verplank, Art Proctor and David Edwards

THE ARCHITECT, THE PRO AND THE PLAYERS homagolfhof.org. “I am thrilled beyond words,” Proctor he connective threads linking the said. “I’m very seldom at a loss for words stories of the members of the 2021 but when I was told about this I was flabOklahoma Golf Hall of Fame class bergasted. I’m just very humbled and very proud to represent the state of Oklahoma are quite remarkable. Brothers David and Danny Edwards grew and it’s great golf history.” Between Danny (5), David (4) and Verup playing at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond, designed by Floyd Farley. There plank (5), this class has won 14 PGA Tour they learned the game from the course’s first events. While our state boasts designs from Perry Maxwell, A.W. Tillinghast, head professional Art Proctor. Tom Fazio and other notables, it Now both the Edwards brothis the more than 20 entertain- ing ers, Proctor and Farley will be public course designs of Farley that entering the Hall together in a provide great entertainment and class that also features long-time challenge to tens of thousands of Edmond resident and one of the Oklahoma golfers. state’s most accomplished profesProctor was instrumental in sional golfers Scott Verplank. Tom Jones turning Kickingbird into one of “I think it will be one of the most unique classes that we’ll ever have,” said the busiest courses in the country, averaging Tom Jones, chairman of the Oklahoma Golf more than 60,000 rounds annually. He startHall of Fame Executive Board and President ed a junior golf program that led to Edmond and COO of Oak Tree National in Edmond. becoming known nationwide as a hotbed of “First of all you have the Edwards brothers junior golf talent. and the pro that was the influential reason DANNY EDWARDS they started playing golf. Then the architect When the Edwards that designed the course where they played family first moved and so many great public courses in the from Wichita Falls to state. Edmond, Kickingbird “Then in Scott, you have a world class had yet to open. Danny player who has played in the Ryder Cup, hit balls in a field, and won the U.S. Amateur at Oak Tree and won often secretively, on a professional tournament as an amateur. I think it’s a very impressive class and the sto- the still growing-in course while no one was rylines and the way they tie in together are watching. Somehow he became proficient enough to win the state championship for pretty incredible.” The five will be inducted Nov. 21 at Okla- Edmond and earn a scholarship to Oklahohoma City Golf & Country Club. Sponsor ma State. A hard worker and driven to succeed, table and tickets are available at www.okla-

by ken macleod

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

Danny became a two-time first-team AllAmerican and two-time Big Eight Champion. He turned professional in 1973, earned his PGA Tour card in 1975 and went on to win five times (1977 Greater Greensboro Open, the 1980 Walt Disney World National Team Championship (with brother David), the 1982 Greater Greensboro Open, the 1983 Miller High Life QCO, and the 1985 Pensacola Open.) In addition to the victories at OSU, Danny’s amateur career included a stint on the 1973 Walker Cup Team. He was low amateur the same summer at The Open Championship. He won the 1972 North and South Amateur and the 1972 Southeastern Amateur. Although he played briefly on the Champions Tour, Danny was consumed with other opportunities. He was an original founder of Royal Grip, later successfully sold to investors. He became a highly proficient professional auto racer and was heavily involved with divot repair company (Green Fix Golf). He has recorded a series of videos teaching proper chipping methods. DAVID EDWARDS Although some mistake his laid-back personality for a lack of the same drive that fueled older brother Danny, that would be a mistake. “David was one of the most driven players we’ve ever had at Oklahoma State,” said former teammate Jones. “He wasn’t the

See Fame on page 41 W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

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Scott Verplank celebrates after rolling in a 6-foot, par-saving putt on the second hole of sudden death to win the Western Open in Oak Brook, Ill., becoming the first amateur in 29 years to win a professional golf tournament.

VERPLANK cont. from page 36 insulin pump to help control his blood sugar when he’s on the golf course. Verplank said he never has withdrawn from a tournament because of diabetes. “I’ve always just fought through that,” Verplank said, “but I’ve withdrawn at times because of injuries.” Verplank is a mix of determination and relentless fortitude, two reasons why he was honored with the 2002 Ben Hogan Award

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

from the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) given to golfers who achieve success despite physical handicaps. Verplank doesn’t specifically know what led to his wide range of ailments. “All the injuries I’ve had, yes, being diabetic did not help,” Verplank said. “The specific cause of all the injuries, I can’t tell you (why). I don’t think anybody could tell you. But my whole life is diabetes-related. I don’t heal up as fast. I just don’t. If you’re a Type1 diabetic, it’s an autoimmune disease and my circulation is not as good. I’ve been very lucky that I’ve gotten to play golf my whole life, to be honest with you. That saved my health, the fact that I get to go outside most days and get exercise. “That’s why I give college scholarships to Type 1 diabetic kids. I want them to play a sport and be outside and be active and then you can kind of control the disease versus the disease controlling you.” Scott and wife, Kim, have four children – Scottie, Hannah, Emma and Heidi Ann. The goal of the Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation is to provide young people with Type 1 diabetes the financial ability to pursue a college education. The foundation’s website states: “The physical and emotional trials of being a child

with T1D are well documented; however one of the less publicized effects of T1D is the strain on the families. Parents are faced with concerns over the health of their child compounded by the question of how to pay for the daily care and supplies, much less the idea of paying for their college tuition. The Foundation is funded through personal resources of the Verplank Family and other donations. In addition, the Verplanks host an annual celebrity golf tournament, the Verplank Foundation Invitational, to raise additional dollars to fund scholarships.” Despite his impressive amateur achievements, Verplank still was not offered exempt status to the PGA Tour and had to endure 1987 Qualifying School, where he finished T6 to earn exempt status. Ten years later after suffering a string of injuries, Verplank again was required to go through Qualifying School to obtain exempt status and finished as the 1997 School medalist. Verplank was a member of two Ryder Cup teams (2002 and 2006), both of which unfortunately were won by the Europeans. The 2002 Ryder Cup was played at The Belfry in England, where Verplank was paired with Hal Sutton in the afternoon foursome

See Verplank on page 42

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2021 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

FAME cont. from page 38 best player when he got here but he was when he left.” David, who did get to practice and play at the now-opened Kickingbird, went to OSU in 1974, where he aver- aged 77.6 shots per round as a freshman, lowering that to 71.8 as a senior when he won two events, finished second or third in five others and capped off his dominating year by winning the 1978 NCAA Individual Championship and leading the Cowboys to the team championship. He didn’t take long as a professional to break into the win column, claiming the 1980 Walt Disney World Na- tional Team Championship with brother Danny, then winning the 1984 Los Angeles Open, the 1992 Memorial Tournament and the 1993 MCI Heritage Golf Classic. He also won the 2006 3M Championship on the Cham- pions Tour and was a two-time winner of the Oklahoma Open (1994 and 1996). Never a long hitter, David was highly accurate and a great putter. He led the Champions Tour in Driving Accuracy (80 percent) in 2008 for the third consecutive year. In 2007, he had the longest streak of consecutive holes without a three-putt for the season (263 in a row). Whether making an appearance at a

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youth tournament, a golf expo or a charity function, David has always been generous with his time to give back to the game in Oklahoma. FLOYD FARLEY (1907-2005) Floyd Farley was born in Kansas City and was a passionate and talented golfer for decades before turning his attention to course design, winning the South Central PGA Section Championship in 1937 and 1942. He started golf as a caddy at age 12 and, as a player, was a part of one of the top high school teams in Kansas history in 1925. Also on that team at Rosedale High School in Kansas was Kansas Hall of Famer Jug McSpaden, who was runner-up in the 1937 PGA Championship and finished fourth at the 1947 Masters. In 1931, Farley came to Oklahoma and became head pro at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City. At 25 years of age, in 1932, he designed his first course – Woodlawn Golf Club in Oklahoma City – and stayed on as head pro. After discovering his new love of golf architec-

ture, he designed more than 100 courses, including new designs of some 40 courses in Oklahoma and renovations or additions to many others. Farley escorted A.W Tillinghast on his visit to Oklahoma, a trip that resulted in designs for Tulsa Country Club and The Oaks. He also credited Perry Maxwell and William Bell as influences. After returning from a stint in World War II, in 1941, Farley designed and built now-defunct Meridian Golf Club in Oklahoma City. He owned that course until 1961. In addition to Kickingbird, some of his notable Oklahoma designs include Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, Ar- rowhead State Park Course, LaFortune Park and the Woodbine Course at Mohawk Park in Tulsa, John Conrad in Midwest City, Adams GC in Bartlesville, Lew Wentz in Ponca City, Roman Nose State Park and dozens more. ART PROCTOR Teacher, professional, coach, course designer, competitor.

See Fame on page 43

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2021 OKLAHOMA GOLF HALL OF FAME

VERPLANK cont. from page 40 (alternate shot) match against Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn on opening day. “Standing on the first hole at a Ryder Cup the first time, everybody had told me, ‘You’re going to be nervous, you won’t be able to tee the ball up and you won’t even be able to see the ball and hit it,’ ” Verplank recalled. “I got on the first tee and I was hitting first in alternate shot. I looked around and thought, ‘Why would you be all worked up? This is the greatest thing I’ll ever do in golf.’ And I had a ball. I played awesome in every match I had at the Ryder Cup because I was so pumped to be there and so happy that nothing was going to ruin it. I was not nervous at all. Why would I be nervous? It was the most fun I ever had playing golf.” Verplank recalled hitting his opening tee shot down the middle of the fairway. “I was thinking, ‘OK, here we go.’ Hal was like, ‘Don’t be nervous.’ I was like, ‘Screw you. Knock it up there close. I’m gonna make it.’ ” Sutton hit the approach about 20 feet from the cup and Verplank made the putt for birdie. “I said, ‘Come on, let’s go. Quit talking about me. You better not play crappy.’ And we won (2 and 1).” Verplank finished with a 2-1 record as a Ryder rookie, which was capped with a 2-and-1 singles victory over Lee Westwood. The 2006 Ryder Cup was played at The K Club in Ireland, where Europe dominated with an 18.5-9.5 victory. Two of those points came compliments of Verplank, who posted a 2 and 1 victory alongside Zach Johnson in a morning fourball match on the second day. Verplank closed with a 4 and 3 singles victory over Padraig Harrington, which included an ace on the 14th hole for the only American hole-in-one in Ryder Cup history. The Americans also lost the 2012 Ryder Cup, during which Verplank served as vice captain under captain and long-time friend Davis Love III. The Europeans claimed 8½ of a possible 12 points in singles matches on the final day to post a stunning 14.5-13.5 comeback victory at Medinah Country Club near Chicago. Although Love’s decisionmaking was widely second-guessed afterward, Verplank steadfastly endorsed Love opting to stick to his original game plan that had given the Americans a seemingly insurmountable four-point lead heading into singles matches. “I don’t know how Davis could’ve done anything better than the way he did it,” Verplank said. “From the players’ perspective, everything was taken care of, everyone was happy with how things were going. 42

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We were up 10-6. That’s the majority of the strategy is how you get through the first two days and that’s as good as anyone’s ever done. Ninety-nine out of 100 times we’re going to win with a 10-6 lead. It just didn’t happen. My first thought afterward was that Davis should do it again. I would’ve asked him on the spot to do it again.” Verplank also participated in the 2005 and 2007 Presidents Cup, playing both times under captain Jack Nicklaus. Asked if the pressure to represent America was equal in both events, Verplank immediately said, “No, no, no. The Presidents Cup is more like a friendly inner-club. When Jack

Verplank holds the U.S. Amateur trophy after the conclusion of the final round of the 1984 U.S. Amateur Championship at Oak Tree GC. Nicklaus is your captain, you want to win. I love representing the United States. There are some great stories from all that, but Jack was basically, ‘You guys just tell me who you want to play with.’ It was a lot of fun. Love both events, particularly the Ryder Cup.” A huge fan of many sports, Verplank shared this analogy: “The Ryder Cup is the Super Bowl and the Presidents Cup is the Pro Bowl.” Verplank’s overall record at the Ryder Cup was a combined 4-1-0, a winning percentage of .800. At the Presidents Cup, Verplank went 6-2-1 for a winning percentage on .722, which ranks sixth all-time among American players. Of all his notable achievements, Verplank admitted his pinch-me moment came at age

42 when he won the Byron Nelson Championship at Las Colinas in Irving, a suburb of his birthplace of Dallas. Unfortunately, it came seven months after the death of a man Verplank described as “one of the greatest humans ever.” “Things (various body parts) were hurting,” Verplank recalled. “I had a good run for a while, but was not playing great the first half of that year. To win in Dallas where I grew up and Byron Nelson had helped me as a teenager and befriended me, that was one where I was really like, ‘Wow. This is cool.’ Listen, it was unbelievable. I was so lucky that he was so nice to me.” Verplank’s friendship with Nelson began thanks to his mother being a longtime volunteer at the tournament. “Byron Nelson knew every person who volunteered for that tournament, spoke to every person and knew everybody,” Verplank explained. “He called my mom when I was 16 years old and said, ‘I’ve seen your son’s name in the newspaper. He’s playing pretty good. Ask him if he’d like me to help him.’ I mean, that’s what was offered. I was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What?’ Winning that golf tournament .... Sadly, he wasn’t there, but it felt like it was just meant to be. “The other stuff, to be honest with you, I kind of expected to do. Not that I ‘expected’ to win the Western Open, but if I played like I had been playing that I would be able to compete. I played better the week before that in an amateur tournament. It was as much a shock to me as winning in Dallas was. “I was very driven, particularly as an older teenager in college because I was basically more mature. I always said I was ‘smarter’ because that sounds better to me. I was more mature because I had to be. I was 9 years old when they bring me home and tell me I’m going to have to take an insulin shot every day. That’ll make you grow up really fast, so I was just more mature than most of the other kids at the end of junior golf and then in college. I was better than them, but I also was more mature. In a weird sort of way, it (diabetes) helped me as a kid because it made me grow up real fast and it helped my golf. To this day, I still pay attention to things that other people don’t pay attention to.” Asked what he thought of his pending Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame induction, Verplank’s normally convictive voice instantaneously became hushed. “I really appreciate it,” Verplank said. “I feel very fortunate to be included in it because of the golf history in the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame. That’s how I really feel about it.” As he said, Verplank will tell you the truth. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

FOR INFORMATION VISIT WWW.OKLAHOMAGOLFHOF.ORG

FAME cont. from page 41 You name it and Art Proctor has done it and done it well in his 82 years. It was 50 years ago in 1971 that the Topeka, Kan. native was chosen to be the first head professional at the new Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond. He took the job to heart. Soon Kickingbird was slammed from dawn to dusk, with over 66,000 rounds per year. Proctor had started a junior program that has led to dozens of state champions, collegiate and professional stars. “In my opinion, Art Proctor set the stage for the greatest junior golf dynasty in the history of Oklahoma, said Mike McGraw, former Oklahoma State and current Baylor coach who was an assistant to Proctor while in college and became his junior golf director in 1982. “He gave so many young men jobs at Kickingbird and those jobs led to opportunity. That opportunity led to championships.” He is credited for helping save the Oklahoma Open when he brought the tournament to Kickingbird in 1979 and helped persuade Oklahoma’s top pros to play in the event. The winners at Kickingbird were Danny Edwards (1979), Jaime Gonzalez (1980), Dr. Gil Morgan (1981),

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Doug Tewell (1982), Tom Jones (1983), on tour through 2005. His playing reKenny Huff (1984) and Bob Tway (1985). cord includes PGA South Central Section The tournament then moved to Oak Tree match play championships in 1974, 1976 CC with the backing of the Daily Okla- and 1977 and Section Championships in 1983 and 1984. He has played in 20 mahoman and it is still played there today. “Art’s impact on the Oklahoma Open jor championships, including three PGA championship was transformative and Cham- pionships, two U.S. Senior Open long-lasting,” McGraw said. “He took a Championships, five British Senior Open Championships dying event and and 10 Senior PGA turned it into one 2021 OKLAHOMA GOLF Cha mpion sh ips. of the best State HALL OF FAME BANQUET His best finish was Open’s in the WHEN: SUNDAY, Nov. 21, 2021 a tie for 16th. country.” WHERE: OKLAHOMA CITY GOLF He has also Proctor left Kickplayed in 14 nationingbird to build a AND COUNTRY CLUB al club professional 45-hole golf comTIME: 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. championships plex near Arcadia, DRESS: BLACK TIE OPTIONAL with a top finish of but he ended up RSVP: November 12, 2021 third place. losing his shirt Visit www.OklahomaGolfHOF.org for In 1984 at the and his investors ticket and sponsorship information age of 44, Procin the oil collapse tor played a then of 1987. He then took a running the Oklahoma State Parks Guinness Book of Records mark by playgolf courses, and made many significant ing 414 holes of golf in one day. He teed improvements, including designing nine off at Kickingbird in Edmond at 5:46 a.m. holes at Lake Murray, nine holes at Quartz and finished his 23rd round of golf at 8:51 Mountain and nine holes at Cedar Creek p.m., averaging about two minutes per hole. The amazing thing, other than enin Broken Bow. In 1999 he qualified for the Senior PGA durance, was that he shot 6-under-par for Tour (now Champions Tour) and remained the day.

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DEST I NAT IONS

PGA Frisco keeping close eye on Southern Hills majors by art stricklin

FRISCO, Texas – When the 2021 PGA Senior Championship pulls into Southern Hills Country Club on May 27-30, it’ll be the first stop of a two-year PGA run, culminating in the PGA Championship next May and continuing the rich tournament history of the Tulsa course. But some of the most interested spectators to both events will be three hours south in Frisco, Texas, the new home of the PGA of America and the massive new PGA Frisco project, opening in 2022, which is hoping to use the back-to-back Southern Hills PGA Events as a Northern Texas trial run. “Certainly we will have people at Southern Hills this May in both our operations and competition team,” said PGA Senior Director of Golf Jimmy Terry. “The event is going to be here soon (2023) and we want to make sure everything goes smoothly.” “Southern Hills has a great history with PGA events and that can only help us here.” Both public access PGA Frisco golf courses, 40 minutes north of downtown Dallas, one by Gil Hanse, the other by Beau Welling, are almost totally finished. PGA officials are allowing extended time to grow the courses in and getting them ready for the golf onslaught starting in 2022 with amateur players from around the country along with the best golfers in the world in two doz-

en events already planned here over the next two decades. The steel is already rising on the new PGA National headquarters along with elaborate practice facilities for the pros and the amateur players. Construction on a new 500-room Omni Resort has been underway, but the structure will start to rise from the ground this summer and will include multiple Resort Pools, tennis, dining, resort cabanas and an 117,000-square foot convention center ballroom. The PGA of America is also opening the world’s second largest natural putting green, along with a 10-hole short course with yardages ranging from 40 to 120, open to anybody who wants to work on their short game, all with the idea of enticing people to get into the game of golf. Along with the ability to host top professional PGA Tour events at their new facility after watching it unfold at Southern Hills over the next two years, another thing organizers are eager to see is how the Hanse renovation of the Southern Hills layout compares to the Hanse course at PGA Frisco. He said he was inspired by both design opportunities which he called unique with some similarities as well. “It was a great honor to be asked to assist in the renovation at Southern Hills to restore

some of the great design qualities of (original architect) Perry Maxwell, but the (new) design of PGA Frisco was a legacy play,” Hanse said. “One that does not come along very often, to design a championship course with so many tournaments already committed to it.” While Southern Hills is known for its rolling hill location with scenic views of downtown Tulsa in the distance, Hanse said he found plenty of elevation changes in the North Texas PGA site and worked to bring what he called some Maxwell touches on the sloping greens and enticing, but dangerous, design features to Frisco. One of the major differences between Southern Hills, which has hosted many prestigious professional events and PGA Frisco, which will host many more in the future, is the areas needed to stage modern major championships. Included are areas for large sponsor and merchandise tents, large viewing areas, media center and TV compounds, all have to be added to the Tulsa course each time an event is scheduled. In Frisco, Hanse worked with the PGA officials to build space for them ahead of time to be ready for whatever event the PGA wants to host in the future. “(PGA Competitions Chief) Kerry Haigh has come and walked the course with Gil and Beau and told them what we needed for championship golf and how we are going to put people here, where they are going to be walking and the flow of people and material,” said Terry. “Then he listened to their ideas and executed them brilliantly. We have roads to shuttle supplies to our vendors and to be used for evacuation as needed. We have tried to learn from others like Southern Hills and there is a place in Augusta, Ga., that puts on

Aerial view of PGA Frisco. 44

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a pretty good tournament every year.” Before his work at Southern Hills and PGA Frisco, along with many others, Hanse burst into architectural fame by designing the first Olympic golf course in Brazil which was used in 2016. Hanse said some of the same ideas used to design the Olympic Course, now a public golf facility, are part of the new course at PGA Frisco. He used a long ribbon of grass for a tee box instead of individual teeing areas so the course can be set up in a variety ways from super tough for the best players in the world who will compete here to easier and shorter for the amateurs who will make up the vast majority of the rounds. The Hanse-designed East Course, which will be used for all of the championship play, also does a good job of building drama into the round regardless if a player trying to a win a golf major championship or a few dollars from his buddies on a weekend round. There are two drivable par-4s on the course, one each on the front and back nine, which can produce any number of scores. On the back nine, the par-4 12th green is huge; the par-3 13th hole plays 277 yards from the back tee with an earthen, enhanced wall on the left side of the green which elevates the putting to keep it flooding from Panther Creek below. From the tee, it’s also one of the most visually appealing holes on the course and showcases the Hanse ability to make a course look like it has been here a very long time even though it’s brand new. The 14th is a blind par-5 tee shot from the back tee with an aiming bunker to shoot over. The 15th is a long par-4 which is drivable for the best players in the world. The 17th is a dangerous short par-3 with water along the right side as the golfing drama continues to build. The par-5 18th finishing hole is a prime opportunity to finish your round on a sterling or sunken note. Panther Creek, which is natural to the area, crossed the fairway twice including once right before the green which golfers most cross along a long metal bridge to get to their final chance of glory or gory, as the golfing case may be. “I wanted golfers to finish their round with positive momentum not negative. Not to get beat them up every hole,” Hanse said. Starting in May, the best senior professional golfers get their chance to test the renovation at Southern Hills and a year later amateur golfers nationwide can challenge Hanse and Wellington designs at PGA Frisco, the new showcase for future professional competitions. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

BUILDER

Heritage Hills Golf Course Claremore, OK

photo credit: Shane Bevel Photography

JONESPLAN Golf Construction 124 N Peoria Ave Tulsa, OK 74120 918.832.5544

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

The Anchor project at Shangri-La Resort.

COU R SE R ENOVAT ION

by ken macleod

GOLF BOOM Shangri-La xxxxxxxxxxx

ith the pandemic-induced surge in golf popularity, having your course closed for renovation in 2021 may not be the best timing. However, the scope of projects across the state reflects a willingness of municipalities and private owners to invest in the game’s future. And that bodes well for the game for years into the future. Several huge projects have begun or will this spring including at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond, John Conrad Golf Course in Midwest City and Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore. Bailey Ranch in Owasso will undergo a greens renovation this summer. The Oaks Country Club in Tulsa completely reworked its driving range and added an indoor learning center. And Shangri-La Resort on Monkey Island is nearing completion of its Anchor project adding all sorts of fun amenities to an already sterling resort. Let’s take a look at the projects across the state. Kickingbird Golf Course, Edmond Kickingbird, one of the state’s busiest and most popular courses, will close its doors June 14 for an extensive $14 million renovation that will last into the fall of 2022. On the golf course itself, new irrigation will be installed and all greens will be rebuilt. They will be regrassed with bent grass. The par-5 ninth hole will be converted to a par-4 with the green shifted south, while the tee on the par-4 fourth hole will be moved back and it will be a par-5, as it was up until 1997. The down time will also allow the maintenance crew to do more shaping and pruning of the trees which were heavily damaged by last October’s freak ice storm. Off the course the project is ambitious. The clubhouse will be completely rebuilt

CITIES, CLUBS, RESORTS

INVEST IN GOLF with a new detached community hall that will be ideal for tournaments, meetings, receptions and events. The driving range tee will be moved to the west 20-30 yards and lighted. It will include an indoor teaching center on the north end and possibly a pavilion with GPS games such as found at TopGolf or GolfSuites. The current parking lot will be converted

Big plans at Kickingbird GC.

to a three-green practice facility. The parking lot moves west to what is currently tennis courts, some of which are being raised and others converted to pickleball courts. The firm of Bockus Payne of Oklahoma City has been selected to do the architectural plans for the clubhouse and Sorensen said they have employed noted clubhouse designer and enhancer Tom Hoch of Oklahoma City. Matt Dusenberry of Shorewood, Wis., has been hired as the golf course architect to oversee the new practice facilities and range renovations. The bid process was still underway for the architectural work on the golf course itself at press time. Designed by 2021 Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame inductee Floyd Farley on rolling terrain and with the holes framed by large oaks and other hardwoods, it opened in 1972 and under legendary pro Art Proctor quickly became the home of one of the state’s top junior programs, aided by a young Mike McGraw. The Oklahoma Open was contested there from 1979-85 and it is currently the annual site of Golf theCourse Oklahoma Junior Boys & Kickingbird Girls Championship. That event will be held OPTION - H in 2021 OVERVIEW before the closing. • MOVE MIDDLE AND BACK TEES “I think it’s going to be fantastic for the ON HOLE #1 EAST TO ORIGINAL RE-ORIENTATE PRACTICE golfers,” LOCATION. saidGREEN head proTO Brian Soerensen. “I PUTTING NORTH/SOUTH ACCOMODATE. really appreciate the commitment of the • ADJUST PRACTICE RANGE TEES TO REFLECT LATEST CROSS SECTION city to do this. GRADING STUDY A It’s been almost 50 years • UPDATED BUILDING FOOTPRINTS since Kickingbird opened and it has been a AND LOCATIONS wonderful for LOT so many. A lot of what • ADD venue PRELIMINARY PARKING LAYOUT we’re doing is with a real emphasis on mak• ADD PULL OFF CART PARKING BY SWING STUDIO ing it even more family friendly.” John Conrad Golf Course, Midwest City An extensive restoration is underway at this Floyd Farley design which, like Kickingbird, is 50 years old and suffered heavy tree damagerevised last October. October 23, 2020 1

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Architect Conor Cummings of Heckenkemper Golf is expanding and redesigning all 18 greens. Bunkers will be moved to new locations. The loss of some 650 trees to the ice storm will allow for some expansion of playing corridors. “The greens will be significantly bigger and have a lot more character to them,” Cummings said. “They’re letting me use my design chops a little more here and I’m excited to get out there and get in the dirt.” The nines will flip. What was hole 16 will change from a par-5 to a par-4, and 17 will switch to a par-5. Those will now be holes 7 and 8. The old No. 6 hole, now 16, will change from a par-4 to a par-5. The practice facility will be improved with a new chipping green, practice bunkers and a three-hole reversible pitch and putt course. Director of Golf Larry Denney said approximately $1 million of the $3.4 million project will go toward new carts and new

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the renovation. It was time.” Dornick Hills Country Club, Ardmore Dornick Hills, the original design of Perry Design, will close June 1 for a restoration by famed architect Tom Doak, who agreed to donate his time to help restore this history-laden course. The $3.2 million project is now fully funded, with $2.5 million from member Jerome “Bruzzy” Westheimer and the rest contributed by members and foundations. maintenance equipment. Work has already begun with the removal The course is staying with bent grass on the greens and they will be seeded in Sep- of some 350 of the 500 trees targeted that were crowding fairways and green tember. It will reopen when they complexes. are fully grown in next spring. While Doak will work his magic “You hate to be down this long on the greens, new irrigation will right now, but it’s the price of help turf grass conditions throughprogress,” Denney said. “We saw out. Blake Conant of Dundee Golf a lot of new faces this year and will be doing the shaping, while did nearly 40,000 rounds. Our Total Turf is doing the rough gradmembers are really excited about Tom Doak

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COU R SE R ENOVAT ION sprayed in early April and will be dying but playable until the course closes May 1. The city will invest close to $1 million in improvements including new greens, irrigaWorkers reshape the driving range at The Oaks CC in Tulsa. tion upgrades and other cosmetic changes and clubhouse way to go. We will have great putting conditions for the months that golfers play most upgrades. The course should reopen Labor Day of their golf.” Burd said the greens will be expanded weekend in September with new TifEagle ultradwarf Bermuda greens. The switch to to their original dimensions, as many had an ultra-dwarf Bermuda has long been con- shrunk by as much as 6 to 8 feet from their templated by Director of Golf Corey Burd previous edges due to Bermuda encroachand superintendent Chris Cook, as the ment over time. Bailey Ranch becomes the third course in original SR 10-20 bent grass greens planted Bailey Ranch Golf Course, Owasso After decades of fighting heat stress in in 1992 have experienced issues with heat the Tulsa metropolitan area to switch to a variety of ultradwarf Bermuda greens in the July and August with varying degrees of stress in multiple years. “The grass was tired, segregated, colo- past year, joining The Canyons at Blackjack success, Bailey Golf Ranch in Owasso will be the latest Oklahoma course to change to nized,” Burd said. “Heck, you can’t even buy Ridge in Sand Springs and Heritage Hills a variety of ultradwarf Bermuda for its put- SR 10-20 seed any more. It was definitely in Claremore, both of which converted in time for an upgrade and we did a lot of re- 2020. City of Tulsa courses Page Belcher and ting surfaces. The current bent grass greens will be search and decided that Bermuda was the Mohawk Park converted to Champion Bermuda nearly a decade ago, while the par-3 course at LaFortune Park is the other public course to switch in the Tulsa area. Many others across the state have converted. On the private side, the Lakes Course at The Club at Indian Springs and the West Nine at Southern Hills have Bermuda greens, while all others in and around Tulsa still have bent grass surfaces. The big advantage of Bermuda is the grass thrives in the heat and humidity of July and August when bent grass varieties are susceptible to heat stress. Bermuda’s weakness The sound, the feel, the flight, the carry. is its cold tolerance and the greens have to Getting the most out of your equipment will make a solid impact on your game. be covered if temperatures remain below 25 The fitters at GOLFTEC use an advanced fitting system powered by TECFIT. Ensuring an optimum shaft and club head combination that you will love. degrees for an extended period. Many owners of Bermuda greens were nervously waiting greenup this spring after the record cold snap in February. As putting surfaces, the ultradwarf varieties can rival good bent grass greens if properly maintained, which involves frequent top dressing and verticutting. If allowed to get grainy they are not considered the equal SCHEDULE A LESSON of bent grass greens. They do not require the fans and syringing that nurse bent grass greens through hot months. “It will be a game changer for Chris and the maintenance staff,” Burd said. “The LESSONS • CLUB FITTING • golftec.com stress in trying to keep the bent grass going in the summer is off the charts.” Cook and Burd looked at recent convering and construction. Doak’s next visit is expected in late April or May to go over the project before the green construction begins. The plan is to seed the new bent grass greens in September. A full reopening is expected in April of 2022. Director of Golf Derek Claborn emphasized the greens would not be restored to exactly what Maxwell built from 1913 to 1923. Original plans are lost to time and the course has been renovated several times. The intent will be to recreate the essence of Maxwell’s original design. “Tom is a member of Crystal Downs which has Maxwell greens,” said superintendent Brent Waite. “He knows Maxwell greens as well as anyone. And he ranks Maxwell pretty high on his list of golden age architecture. He has a similar philosophy, which is to go out and find the best holes and not move a lot of dirt.”

LOVETHEIMPACT

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The Oaks Country Club With a completely rebuilt and reoriented range with multiple tiers, and a new indoor facility complete with Trackman simulators, practicing at The Oaks Country Club will be much more fun beginning this spring. The former range was reimagined by architect Colton Craig and repositioned so golfers will no longer send shots off the property to the east. Golf course construction firm Sanders Golf stripped away all the existing vegetation, added drainage, contours and target greens. “It’s going to a big improvement for our members and just continue in line with the improvements we’ve made to the course and the other practice facilities,” said Rick Reed, director of golf. The golf course was renovated in 2016 by architect Bill Bergin of Atlanta. Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island Construction is nearing completion on a new $10.5-million activity park adjacent to Shangri-La Resort’s luxury resort hotel. The new activity park, with a planned opening in May, will include a new racquet club facility with six outdoor tennis courts, six pickleball courts, basketball, sand volleyball, fire pits, a fishing pond, an outdoor event area, and a mini-Fenway Park replica which will offer WIFFLE BALL, providing fun for kids of all ages. Another important outdoor feature is a replica of one of the original anchors from the USS Oklahoma battleship which was the inspiration for the name of the new activity park – “The Anchor.” The ship’s anchor will stand across from the new facility and display the names of the 429 personnel who served on this vessel when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor in 1941. The outdoor facilities are just part of the picture, though. The 11,000-square W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

foot indoor facility will feature Hologate state-of-the-art virtual reality games, Trackman golf simulators, shooting simulators, escape room games, arcade games, pop-a-shot basketball, billiards and pingpong tables, shuffleboard, darts, a plethora of sporting event video screens, and an inviting indoor-outdoorbar & lounge on Grand Lake. The golf simulators include the ability for golfers to play all 27 holes of Shangri-La’s course. Longtime Shangri-La assistant golf professional Ryan Dalton will be taking a new role at The Anchor as an on-premises Player Development & Fitting Specialist. Players will have the ability to focus on specific styles, stances, and strategies. The Activity Park construction will bring the total investment of the resort facility to more than $80 million since Eddy Gibbs purchased the property in 2010. This addition of facilities at “The Anchor” will enable the resort to offer corporations more indoor space after their meeting sessions for team building activities, entertainment, and extreme year-round enjoyment without being impacted by weather. Shangri-La has 9,000 square feet of meeting space with a variety of outdoor venues for weddings and events.

"We are expanding the recreational offerings to add to our popular championship golf course," said Shangri-La President & CEO Barry Willingham. "We are also focused on providing more indoor entertainment options for our members and our hotel guests to make Shangri-La an attractive year-round destination for business groups and families alike.” Cedar Creek State Park Golf Course, Broken Bow A grand reopening will be held in April for Cedar Creek Golf Course, which has all new Bermuda greens. Also some 300 trees have been removed to allow for better airflow and more sunlight on the greens and turfgrass. Three of the greens were completely rebuilt while the others were regrassed. Architect Colton Craig oversaw the work. New tee markers, This is potentially just the beginning of changes to Cedar Creek, as the state has asked for proposals for private developers to take over management and make improvements to the course and lodge in exchange for the opportunity to purchase some adjacent real estate for development in what is currently one of the hottest real estate markets in the state.

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sions at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City, The Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City as well as projects closer to home before settling on the TifEagle variety for their project. The only regret Burd has about the timing is that public golf is in the midst of a boom that began with the pandemic but increasingly seems to have staying power. Bailey Ranch had more than 37,000 rounds played on it in 2020, more than any year since the mid-1990s. “From that perspective, you hate to be closed, but these are needed improvements and we’ll be much better for it long term,” Burd said. “You have to invest in your facilities and we’re glad the city recognizes that.”

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H IGH SCHOOL PR EV I EW

Talent in abundance in prep ranks by scott wright

klahoma high school state golf championships weren’t held last year, but that didn’t prevent several of the state’s best junior golfers from getting noticed on the national stage. The state has one of its deepest crops of young talent in years, with the state tournaments set to be held in early May. Here are the top 10 girls and boys golfers in the state of Oklahoma for the 2021 season: GIRLS Maddi Kamas, Sr., Kingfisher The Oklahoma City University signee was state runner-up in Class 4A for 2019 and had the best stroke average on the OJGT Tour last season with a 70.5 over eight rounds. Kamas is ranked as a top-75 player nationally by Junior Golf Scoreboard, her stroke average in 21 tournament rounds in all venues is 72.76. She won the WOGA State Stroke Play Championship in 2020 and finished runner-up to Emily Miller in the OGA State Junior Championship. Kamas won four of five events in one stretch last summer and has prevailed in 10 OJGT tournaments in her career. Jenni Roller, Jr., Regent Prep Roller was the Class 2A state champion as a freshman in 2019 and comes in among the top 150 in the AJGA rankings. Verbally committed to the UniverJenni Roller sity of Tulsa, she has two top-five AJGA finishes and took second at the OGA State Junior and third in the WOGA Junior in 2020. Has a 74.92 stroke average in 32 tournament rounds. Raychel Nelke, Jr., Pocola Another junior coming off a strong summer on the OJGT and amateur circuits, Nelke had a stroke average of 72.3 and won the inaugural Oklahoma Junior Raychel Nelke Masters at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa and won the WOGA Junior at Cedar Ridge Country Club. Verbally committed to 50

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

the University of Oklahoma, she has a 74.58 average in 21 tournament rounds. Reagan Chaney, Sr., Plainview Chaney claimed the Class 3A state championship as a sophomore in 2019 with rounds of 66-70 at Westwood Park in Norman. She Reagan Chaney won the OJGT Kickoff Classic and took third in the OJGT Tour Championship. Signed with Oklahoma City University. Lilly Whitley, Sr., Edmond Memorial One of the top players in Class 6A, Whitley finished Lilly Whitley tied for seventh at state as a sophomore and had an OJGT stroke average of 73.4 last season. She has 10 high school and three OJGT tournament victories. Signed with Kansas State. Brooklyn Benn Brooklyn Benn, Jr., Oklahoma Christian School Won four consecutive tournaments as a freshman and finished as the Class 2A state runner-up while leading OCS to its Olivia Coit first-ever team title in 2019. Olivia Coit, Jr., Edmond Memorial A strong OJGT performer last season with a stroke average of 74.0. Emily Vang, Jr., Catoosa Won a Class 4A regional Emily Vang title and finished sixth at state as a freshman in 2019. Sarah Sherrard, Sr., Christian Heritage Academy The Oklahoma Christian University signee took third in the Class 2A state Sarah Sherrard tournament in 2019 and had an OJGT stroke average of 76.2 last season. Jaiden Gregston, So., Duncan An up-and-comer from a powerhouse Class 5A program in Duncan. Jaiden Gregston PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gracie Doke, Jr., Jenks Jenna Triplett, Jr., Edmond North Peyton Coburn, Fr., Bishop Kelley Rylee Roberts, Fr., Edmond North Meghan Charles, Sr., Sand Springs

Maddi Kamas Lindyn Ross, Sr., Plainview (signed with Oklahoma Baptist) BOYS Andrew Goodman, Sr., Christian Heritage Bound for the University of Oklahoma, Goodman has been climbing the junior golf rankings over the last few years. Goodman is ranked in the top 25 nationally by Junior Golf Scoreboard and in the top 60 of the AJGA rankings. He had an OJGT stroke average of 65.5 last season. Jordan Wilson, Sr., Edmond North Wilson was the Class 6A champion as a sophomore in 2019, winning by four shots at Rose Creek Golf Club in Edmond. He won the 2018 Jordan Wilson OGA State Amateur Championship at Oak Tree National, defeating Austin Eckroat in the championship match. He has signed with Oklahoma State. William Sides, Jr., Cascia Hall A player who has shown major growth the past two years, Sides is ranked in the top 40 of both Junior Golf Scoreboard and AJGA naWilliam Sides tional rankings. He is verbally committed to SMU. Jake Hopper, Jr., Norman North Hopper, who is committed to OU, finished fifth at the Class 6A state tournaJake Hopper ment as a freshman two W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

Andrew Goodman

Ben Stoller

years ago and was the runner-up at the inaugural Oklahoma Junior Masters last summer. Ben Stoller, Jr., Owasso Another player who had

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City University, Hill tied an impressive freshman campaign at the for fifth at Class 4A state Class 6A level two years ago, finishing tied two years ago, and had an for seventh. He had a stroke average of 68.4 OJGT stroke average of over 12 OJGT rounds last season. Commit68.5 last season. ted to Kansas State Mesa Falleur, Jr., Ryder Cowan, So., Tres Hill Muskogee Oklahoma Christian Won the OJGT Spring School Break Classic on his home An emerging young playcourse this spring, where er, Cowan played in the he also made the cut as an Drive, Chip and Putt Naamateur in an All Pro Tour tional Finals at Augusta NaRyder Cowan event. Finished third in tional as an eighth-grader, the OJGT-TJGT Red River finishing as runner-up in his Mesa Falleur Shootout in 2018. Stroke age group. He had an OJGT stroke average of 68.2 last average in OJGT events in 2020 was 69.8. season. Players to watch Dylan Teeter, Sr., Bixby Dominic Stevens, Sr., An Oklahoma City UniDylan Teeter Crescent (signed with versity signee, Teeter won Northeastern State) both OJGT events he enRyan Bell, Sr., Norman (signed tered last summer. with Central Arkansas) Drew Mabrey, Jr., HolDominic Stevens Matthew Smith, Jr., Heriland Hall tage Hall Finished as Class 4A runBuddy Wehrli , Jr., Jenks ner-up at Dornick Hills in William Hennessee, Fr., Ardmore in 2019 and had a Drew Mabrey Bishop Kelley 69.5 stroke average on the Sam Morris, Fr., Jenks OJGT circuit last season. Bryant Polhill, So., OklaTres Hill, Sr., Elk City homa Christian Another player bound for Oklahoma Ryan Bell

APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

COL L EGE PR EV I EW

OCU's David Meyers on incredible roll by scott wright

OKLAHOMA CITY — After three years on the Oklahoma City University golf team, David Meyers decided he wanted to test the waters of professional golf. Meyers returned to his home in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2019 and entered qualifying school for the Sunshine Tour as an amateur. But Meyers didn’t qualify and was left without a plan for his immediate future. In the time that Meyers was gone from OCU, coach Kyle Blaser left the program, and Andy Crabtree was hired to replace him. A couple of months passed and Crabtree decided to reach out to Meyers. “Have you thought about coming back?” Crabtree asked. “You would let me do that?” Meyers responded. “Yeah, man. You’re one year from getting

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

your degree, and you need to do that,” Crabtree told him. Meyers returned to OCU for the fall of 2019 and was playing well. Then the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the spring season of 2020, and Meyers was granted an additional year of eligibility. Meyers won the final two tournaments in the fall of 2020, then he won the first two tournaments to start the season in 2021. Four straight wins — a feat that is difficult to accomplish at any level, including NAIA. “He’s made it look easy,” Crabtree said. Of course, Crabtree didn’t know Meyers at all when he re-recruited him to OCU, so the coach was in the dark, other than reading some statistics and talking to other players. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into, because some people leave and they’re not appreciative, or things like that,” Crabtree said. “David is the most grateful, affable, humble star of a player and wonderful

David Meyers student you could ever have. He is teammate of the year. He is the whole deal.” Now, Meyers is accomplishing things that few OCU golfers ever have. Through the first 13 rounds of 2020-21, he had a stroke average of 68.23, on pace to break the OCU single-season record of 70.74 held by James Marchesani. Meyers’ four consecutive wins brought him to nine for his career, tying fellow South African Rupert Kaminski for the school record. Meyers’ career stroke average of 70.30 is on pace to break the record — also held by Kaminski — of 71.29. He’s a three-time Golf Coaches Association of America All-American, a two-time NAIA All-American and a two-time national player of the year semifinalist. And Meyers has an all-around game to go with it. He’s listed on the OCU website as 5-foot8 and 160 pounds, but Crabtree jokes that the weight might be a little generous. Yet Meyers has no trouble keeping up with the longest of hitters off the tee. “He’s exceptionally long with his irons,” Crabtree said. “In our home event at Gaillardia, he shot 16-under and hit 51 or 52 of 54 greens. He’s an incredibly steady, solid ball-striker. He has very good control over his ball flight and has a beautiful rhythm. “He doesn’t have a weakness in his game. His course management is really good. He knows how to win, knows how to close, and he’s most comfortable in those situations.” Meyers has always been a solid player, but credits his more recent success to a change in swing coaches while he was back home in South Africa. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

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COL L EGE PR EV I EW “My ball-striking got a lot better, and I’ve been enjoying golf a lot more,” Meyers said. “I used to be really hard on myself, but now that I’m having fun again, I think that’s probably the biggest reason I’ve had such good success. “I remembered playing as a kid and how I used to enjoy it so much. I think when you get to the college level, you can get burned out at times. I found my own passion in the game again and it’s really helped me the last year. “I also think being in Oklahoma has helped me. We play in all different conditions. No matter where I go, if we’re playing in wind or playing on Bermuda or playing a tight golf course, a links golf course, I have that all year and experience that here. So my game is well-traveled, I would say.” Meyers wants to give professional golf another try, though he’s not sure exactly when. “I’m probably going to turn pro right after our national championship in May,” he said. “I might delay it a bit because I want to maybe try to play the U.S. Amateur and the British Amateur again before I turn pro. “But it’s definitely going to be this summer. I’m going to try to play a few minitours, maybe go to Q-school in Asia in December, then the next year, hit all the Q-

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

schools, whether it be the Mackenzie Tour teams were ranked second in their respective regions when the first polls were rein Canada or the Korn Ferry Tour.” Meyers’ previous experience at Q-school leased in early April. Senior Abigail Rigsby for the Sunshine Tour — even though he and sophomore Alexandria Bennett have came up short — proved to him that he had been pacing OC, while UCO is led by Sydney Roberts and Emma Shelley, both the game to be a professional player. strong players in the fierce spring “I wasn’t in a good state of mind winds. and I didn’t play well that week,” On the Division I level, Oklahohe said. “But being there, I saw ma State, led by Swede Maja Stark, that I was good enough to play has won three events, finished professionally. Once I came back second twice and third once in a to America after seeing the level busy spring and could be a team of competition, I said to myself, to watch at the NCAA Cham‘You’ve got to try to turn pro, because you’re good enough.’ Abigail Rigsby pionships. Oklahoma also has a strong team on paper but hasn’t “That was an eye-opener. It performed nearly as well and will made me believe that I could defibe looking to peak going into the nitely do it.” Big 12 Tournament and regionals. Tulsa has won two tournaments Notes: this spring led by Lorena Tseng, Led by Myers, the OCU men’s Haley Greb , Taylor Dobson and team will likely be in the hunt for Lilly Thomas. its 12th national championship On the junior college level, since 2001. Let’s look at some of Maja Stark Redlands Community College is the other programs in the state besides the Oklahoma and Oklahoma State ranked fifth and coach Taylor Neidy Silauter men’s teams that could be in the hunt for is building a power with five in-state players bolstered by a pair of international additions postseason glory this spring. On the NCAA Division II level, both the in Katie Graham of Scotland and Marvelyn UCO and Oklahoma Christian women’s Karitka of Indonesia.

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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

Quade Cummins

Austin Eckroat

Quade and

Austin: From OJGT to Walker Cup, NCAA Championship and beyond awesome honor. It’s an achievement you have for life and one you’ll look back on amily, friends, teammates, coach- forever.” Rose was indeed bursting with pride at es and anyone with a golf interest the news, not for himself but for in the entire state were both players whom he’s watched thrilled at the news that Austin develop since they were 12. Eckroat and Quade Cummiins “It’s just pride in the hard work were named to the 10-man U.S. those two have put in and I’ve side in the upcoming Walker Cup, seen it in both of them since they May 8-9 at Seminole Golf Club in were 12,” Rose said. “It’s incredJuno Beach, Fla. ible, yet it doesn’t surprise me and No one more so than Morri the best is yet to come for both Rose, longtime director of the Ryan Hybl of them.” Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour. To It’s going to be a fascinating have a full 20 percent of the U.S. spring for the two, who have deteam have cut their competitive veloped a close friendship while teeth in OJGT events before goplaying together frequently at ing on to stardom for Oklahoma Oak Tree National where both are State and Oklahoma, respectivemembers. They will join together ly, is astounding. to try to help the U.S. defeat Brit“It is just really cool,” said ain and Ireland, then immediately Oklahoma State coach Alan BratAlan Bratton resume their leadership roles for ton, who represented the United States in the 1995 Walker Cup. “I hope their respective teams intent on winning somewhere Morri Rose is smiling and the NCAA Championship when it is contaking a lot of pride in this. It’s going to tested May 28-June 2 at Grayhawk Golf be a special deal for both of them and an Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.

by ken macleod

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

The two teams have been clashing with regularity since the college season resumed. OSU shot 47-under par to clip the Sooners by four shots in Tucson, their last pairing before the Big 12 Championship April 2628 at Prairie Dunes. They could possibly be paired in the NCAA Regional that OSU is hosting May 16-19 at Karsten Creek. Following the NCAA, both will turn pro and attempt to play their way onto the Korn Ferry Tour. Eckroat was clinging to the fifth spot in the PGA Tour University rankings at press time while Cummins was 12th but both will have the opportunity to improve and gain KFT exemptions. “I’ll be going about every week right through August,” Eckroat said. “This is going to add another event into an already hectic schedule, but it’s going to be fun. It means a lot to play for your country and being a Walker Cup player has a nice ring to it.” OU coach Ryan Hybl has watched Cummins give his all to improve over the course of six years in Norman. The Weatherford native works intently with swing instructor Ryan Rody, director of W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

instruction at Southern Hills, but also soaks up everything he can from teammates and competitors. He can work the ball both ways and has a great natural feel for shotmaking. “My best guys have always been the ones who love to play the most amount of golf and he’s at the top of the list,” Hybl said. “He would play golf every day. And that will help him in his professional career, because when you’re playing three or four weeks in a row, it’s a job and not the easiest thing to want to play or practice.” The two hope to soon join fellow OJGT graduates Robert Streb, Kevin Tway and Talor Gooch on the big tour, while Max McGreevy, Taylor Moore and Charlie Saxon are among those trying to move up from the KFT to the PGA Tour. Numerous other graduates are at various stages of their professional or amateur careers. “I’m just so proud of the work of all them,” Rose said. Oklahoma State players have made 26 previous appearances in the Walker Cup. Jordan Niebrugge was the most recent in 2015. Also playing in one or more Walker Cups have been Labron Harris Jr., Dave Eichelberger, Bob Dickson, Danny Edwards, Lindy Miller, Philip Walton, Willie Wood, Scott Verplank, Brian Montgomery, Bob May, Bratton, Kris Cox, Trip Kuehne, Ed Loar, Casey Wittenberg, Rickie Fowler, Jonathan Moore, Morgan Hoffmann and Peter Uihlein. Hybl said playing in the Walker Cup is one of the ultimate goals for all amateurs. An excellent amateur himself before trying the professional ranks, Hybl came close to making the team in 2001. Cummins joins former Sooners Charlie Coe, Anthony Kim and Hunter Haas as OU players to represent the United States against Great Britain and Ireland. “This is the Ryder Cup and the Olympic team for college players,” Hybl said. “This is as good as it gets in amateur golf. The status that Quade is moving into with those guys is special.” Notes: OU’s Garrett Reband moved into second place in the PGA Tour University standings with his individual victory at the N.I.T. in Tucson, Ariz. Although both coaches could still tinker with the lineups, it appears likely the starting five for top-ranked OU will be Cummins, Reband, transfer Jonathan Brightwell, Logan McAllister and Patrick Welch. OSU looks to counter with Eckroat, Eugenio Chacarra, who took second in Tucson, Aman Gupta, Bo Jin and Jonas Baumgartner. W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

I NST RUC T ION

Senior golf is just the beginning

at chest high. Swing around your chest, back and through, remembering to turn your back to the target on the way back and your chest on the way through. Relax your elbows and allow them to fold. Trail arm only swings: Make slow swings with your trail arm only, focusing on a complete backswing and a good finish on your front leg. Then flip the club over, holding it just under the club head and swing the grip with some speed. This one will add a feeling of freedom to your motion. Turn the back drill: Make a slow practice swing and turn your forward shoulder over your trail foot (Left shoulder over the right foot for a right-hander). Your back should feel as if it is leaning away from the target, not toward it at the top of your backswing. Let it go drill: Every once in a while, hit several drivers in a row making the club head go as fast as you can. There is a difference between this and swinging as TECHNIQUE I’ve worked with a large number of se- hard as you can. Make the CLUB HEAD nior golfers on their games over the last go fast. several years. What I have found most often is that it’s not that their bodies CAN’T FITNESS Fitness means different things for difdo what they want them to do, it’s that they HAVEN’T been exaggerating the ferent people according to what their motions enough. What they feel is enough bodies will allow. Stretching, walking turn isn’t enough. Hands, arms and shoul- and a bit of strength training will go a ders are often far too tense. Here are some long way. Walk the golf course when you can, even if it’s only a few holes. If you drills to help with that: Chest high swings: Stretch your arms ride, let your playing partner pull the cart and the club out in front of your chest as up here and there. Super Speed Golf: I cannot recommend if you were hitting a ball sitting on a tee CHEST HIGH SWINGS

ith the Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship coming to Southern Hills at the end of May, I wanted to put the spotlight on golf over 50. For many people Jim Young this time in life finds things in transition. Children are getting older and careers and lifestyles are in a new phase. For those a bit farther along there are grandchildren and retirement. I turned 50 last year and in the PGA Club Professional ranks that meant new tournaments to play. This can be a chance to regain some distance, to sharpen skills and to retain what you need to make this golf some of your best. That is the focus of this article: the OPPORTUNITY of senior golf and what to do to take advantage of it.

enough this product and its very simple training protocol. I have put 10-15 yards back on over the last couple of years in large part due to my work with it. TECHNOLOGY Club fitting can be a big help. Experiment with new club head and shaft options. South Central PGA Senior Player of the Year Tim Fleming of Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club visited the Titleist Performance Institute over the winter and found that an increase in driver shaft length added significant yardage to his tee shots. Fleming said that while it may not work for everyone, you never know until you try. Evaluate the make-up of your set of clubs. Visit your PGA Professional and make sure you have what you need to be successful. COLLABORATE Tim Fleming has been working with his coach for over 30 years. He visits his coach early in the year to review his fundamentals and address any concerns. Tim also works with a personal trainer on his fitness. Tim has put his coach in touch with his trainer so that they can work together to help Tim achieve his movement goals. COMPETE Nothing sharpens someone’s golf game like competition. Enter events at your level whenever possible. Don’t be afraid to push your comfort zone. Playing with better players will make you better. WATCH THAT EGO Don’t hesitate to move up a tee box. If you are hitting a fairway metal into every hole, you are probably playing too far back.

TR AIL ARM SWINGS

IN CONCLUSION Opportunity is everywhere in Senior golf. Go get yours and as always let me know if I can help. Jim Young PGA Teaching Professional River Oaks Golf Club Edmond, OK 405-630-8183 Jpygolf12@gmail.com www.jimyounggolf.com Instagram: @jpygolf 58

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

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GOL F FI TN E SS

What should golf fitness training look like? W

Further, the golf swing uses a kinetic chain e all tion – sagittal (linear), frontal/lateral, and k n o w transverse (rotational patterns), or combina- movement pattern (sequence) to transfer force from the ground, through the larger that working out tions thereof (multi-planar motions). Clint Howard Golf Fitness Systems The best way to enhance the performance lower body muscle groups, through the core and fitness is an essential part of for golfers then, is to develop sufficient sta- area, out to the arms, and ultimately to the golf nowadays. Specificity is one of the bility, mobility/flexibility, and strength in most distal point, the club. All of this ocmost important principles of any great train- an athlete specific manner - focusing on im- curs at a very high velocity and should be ing/workout program. It states that training proving any weaknesses in regards to move- sequential with no power leaks. Olympic lift should be relevant and appropriate to the ment and force production in general pat- variations (done with correct form), med-ball sport for which the individual is training in terns such as squatting, lunging, hip hinging, throws, sled pushes, etc, accomplish this in a way that doing something like attaching order to produce a training effect that posi- pulling, and pushing. bands to golf clubs simply does not. tively impacts performance. ROTATIONAL POWER THROW Lastly, we must also consider trainA problem that I often see too much ing efficiency. of in a desire for golfers to train sportThese foundational movement specific, is golfers taking a medicine exercise patterns, done with proper ball/band/cable etc. and exactly mimform and technique, accomplish all icking the golf swing. I call this “golfthe things we need to do in the gym – ish” exercises. namely improve the physical qualities Not that you shouldn’t do some required for the sport of golf, provide exercises and drills that look like and a movement context to help establish mimic a golf swing, because there are technical proficiency and prevent insome great ones that we do. But dojury – and can be accomplished in an ing these alone as your primary golf efficient manner without wasting time fitness training, leaves way too many or energy on exercises that aren’t going other factors neglected. These exercisSTART FINISH to help you improve. es generally don’t do much for overall This overall training approach means strength development, injury prevenHALF KNEEL CHOP/LIFT we can get in and out of the gym, having tion, and force/power production. achieved what we need to achieve, and Golf is an asymmetrical pattern and can get back out on the golf course or by training too much in a highly spepractice area and improve our golf skills. cific manner you end up neglecting If needed, consult with a golf fitness antagonist/stabilizer muscles and reprofessional to get a program designed inforcing those asymmetries that are specifically for your goals and needs. already created. This is particularly You always want to make sure you’re important when you consider overuse doing exercises safely and effectively is one of the most common means of with proper form and technique. injury for golfers. With the warmer spring weather, it’s Also, overall strength and athletic dean ideal time for you to give your body velopment needs to be established first and your fitness the upgrade you need! and foremost. Balanced strength develFINISH Get started and unleash your swing opment through full body movement START this year! pattern training should therefore always So for golf fitness training – it is best to train be incorporated in your training, especially Clint Howard is the Owner/Director of Golf the qualities that translate to the golf swing when first starting a workout program. The principle of specificity states that we rather than seeking to mimic the golf swing Fitness Systems and is recognized as one of the only 2X Top 50 Golf Fitness Professionals in the should try to mimic the dynamic structure itself in your workout training program. For example, research has demonstrated a country by Golf Digest. PGA Tour Pros, Oklaof a skill as well as the body position in relation to the environment. The golf swing strong positive relationship between vertical homa State Men's and Women's golf, University requires almost every muscle in your body jump and clubhead speed. Other research has of Tulsa golf, and many other collegiate and high to be utilized in specific sequence, in specific shown the importance of posterior chain (hips/ school golfers, world long drive champions, and ranges of motion and in correct tension rela- glutes/hamstrings) strength and power output golfers of all levels go to Clint and Golf Fitness in lateral type movements, such as swinging Systems to improve their body, and their game. tionships to all other muscles. The goal of golf fitness training should be a golf club. Gains in strength and power will To learn more, call 918-296-7418 or go to www. GolfFitnessSystems.com to train the body in all three planes of mo- transfer to skill improvement in your sport. 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APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

SCH E DU L E S & R E SU LTS : More at w w w.gol fok la homa.org OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION May 18-19, Spring Four Ball and Senior Four Ball Championship, Gaillardia, OKC June 7-10, Junior Boys and Girls Championship Hosted by Taylor Moore, Kickingbird GC, Edmond June 21-23, Stroke Play Championship, Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club, Norman July 8: State Amateur Qualifier, TBA July 6, State Amateur Qualifier, Lincoln Park GC, OKC July 12-15, Senior State Amateur, Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa July 19-21, State Amateur, Cedar Ridge CC, Broken Arow August 2-3, Mid-Amateur, Oakwood CC, Enid August 2-3, Senior Stroke Play, Oakwood CC, Enid August 19, Oklahoma Open Qualifier, Oak Tree CC West, Edmond August 26-28, Oklahoma Open, Oak Tree CC East, Edmond OKLAHOMA JUNIOR GOLF TOUR April 10-11, Lake Hefner South Spring Challenge, OKC April 17-18, Lincoln Park East Spring Challenge, OKC May 22-23, Spring Championship Invitational, Shawnee CC July 29-30, Kickoff Classic, Lincoln Park Golf Club East, OKC August 7-8, South Lakes Junior Shootout, Jenks August 14-15, Muskogee Fall Classic, Muskogee GC August 21-22, Earlywine Park North Fall Classic, OKC Sept. 5-6, Trosper Park Labor Day Classic Sept. 11-12, Battle of Broken Arrow, Club at Indian Springs Sept. 18-19, Best of the West Classic, Lincoln Park West Sept. 25-26, Lake Hefner North Shootout Oct. 2-3, Bailey Ranch Bash Oct. 9-10, Tour Championship, Shawnee Country Club Oct. 23-24, OJGT/TJGT Red River Challenge, WinStar Resort USGA QUALIFIERS May 3, U.S. Open Qualifier, Oak Tree CC East, Edmond

GOLF OKL AHOMA • APRIL/MAY 2021

June 15, Boys Junior Amateur Qualifier, Jimmie Austin OU GC, Norman June 15, Girls Junior Amateur Qualifier, Jimmie Austin OU GC, Norman June 30, Amateur Qualifier, Gaillardia CC, OKC July 27, Senior Amateur Qualifier, The Club at Indian Springs River Course, Broken Arrow August 16, Women’s Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Meadowbrook CC, Broken Arrow August 16, Mid-Amateur Qualifier, Meadowbrook CC, Broken Arrow August 29, Women’s Four-Ball Amateur Qualifier, The Club at Indian Springs River Course, Broken Arrow WOMEN’S OKLAHOMA GOLF ASSOCIATION April 26-27, Stableford Partnership, Lincoln Park West, OKC May 17-18, Senior Championship, Tulsa CC June 7-8, Stroke Play/Mid-Am Championship, The Club at Indian Springs, Broken Arrow June 28, WOGA Fundraiser, Oak Tree CC East, Edmond June 29-30, Junior Girls State Championship, Oak Tree CC East, Edmond July 19-22, State Amateur, Gaillardia CC, OKC August 16-17, Four Ball Partnership, Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island September 27-28, WOGA Cup, Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOLS April 27, Girls Regionals Class 2A, Arrowhead GC, Canadian and Turkey Creek GC, Hennessey Class 3A, Fountainhead GC, Checotah and Lake Murray GC, Ardmore Class 4A, Jimmie Austin GC, Seminole; Kingfisher GC; Elk City GC; Muskogee CC Class 5A, Aqua Canyon GF, Guthrie and Pryor Creek GC Class 6A, Meadowlake GC, Enid and Lakeside GC, Stillwater May 4-6, Girls State Championships

Class 2A, Cimarron National GC, Guthrie Class 3A, Westwood GC, Norman Class 4A, Buffalo Rock GC, Cushing Class 5A, Chickasaw Pointe GC, Kingston Class 6A, Broken Arrow G&AC May 3, Boys Regional Tournaments Class 2A, Arrowhead GC, Canadian and Turkey Creek GC, Hennessey Class 3A, Heritage Hills GC, Claremore and Purcell GC Class 4A, Buffalo Rock GC, Cushing; Kingfisher GC; Peoria Ridge GC, Miami; Weatherford GC Class 5A, Duncan Golf & Tennis Club and Pryor Creek GC, Pryor Class 6A, Lake Hefner North GC, OKC May 9-11, Boys State Championships Class 2A, Earlywine GC, OKC Class 3A, Buffalo Rock GC,Cushing Class 4A, Winter Creek G&CC, Blanchard Class 5A, Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa Class 6A, Forest Ridge GC, Broken Arrow COLLEGIATE EVENTS IN OKLAHOMA WOMEN April 12, Susie Maxwell Berning Classic, Lincoln Park GC, OKC April 21-22, MIAA Championship, Hillcrest CC, Bartlesville April 26-27, Sooner Athletic Conference Championship, Dornick Hills CC, Ardmore May 10-12, NCAA Regionals TBD September 27-28, Schooner Fall Classic, Belmar CC, Norman October 22-23, Cowgirl Classic, Karsten Creek, Stillwater MEN April 12-13, U.C. Ferguson Classic, Lincoln Park GC, OKC April 12-13, NSU Men’s Classic, Muskogee CC April 19-20, MIAA Championships, Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island April 26-27, Sooner Athletic Conference Champi-

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onships, Dornick Hills G&CC, Ardmore May 15-18, NCAA Regionals TBD U.S. KIDS GOLF TOUR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) OKLAHOMA CITY April 11, Trosper Park GC, OKC April 25, Lake Hefner GC, OKC May 2, Lincoln Park GC, OKC May 16, Earlywine GC, OKC May 23, Lake Hefner GC, OKC |June 6, Westwood Park GC, Norman June 13, Lincoln Park GC, OKC TULSA April 11, Broken Arrow G&AC April 18, The Club at Indian Springs, Broken Arrow April 25, Heritage Hills GC, Claremore May 2, Rock Creek GC, Sapulpa May 16, Page Belcher GC – Olde Page, Tulsa May 23, Tour Championship TBD TULSA GOLF ASSOCIATION April 17-18, TGA 2-Man Challenge, South Lakes GC, Jenks April 29, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, Hillcrest CC, Bartlesville May 4-5, TGA Senior Stroke Play, LaFortune Park GC, Tulsa May 15-16, TGA 4-Ball Stroke Play Championship, Cherokee Hills GC, Catoosa May 25, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, Oaks CC, Tulsa June 15, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, Forest Ridge GC, Broken Arrow June 26-27, TGA Stroke Play Championship, LaFortune Park GC, Tulsa July 10-11, TGA 2-Man Challenge II, South Lakes GC, Jenks July 20, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, Cherokee Hills GC, Catoosa August 17, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, TBD September 7, 3-Man Team Best Ball Shamble Net, Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa September 19, TGA One Day Individual Low Net and 2-Man Team, LaFortune Park GC, Tulsa October 1, TGA Par 3 Four-Man Team, Member – Guest or Member – Member, LaFortune Park Par 3 Course, Tulsa DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT QUALIFIERS

TBD

PROFESSIONAL LPGA TOUR September 24-26, Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, Pinnacle CC, Rogers CHAMPIONS TOUR May 25-30, Kitchenaid Senior PGA Championship, Southern Hills CC, Tulsa ALL PRO TOUR May 12-15, Shawnee Championship, Shawnee, OK May 26-29, Bravado Wireless Real Okie Championship, Muskogee, OK June 16-19, Supreme Lending Classic, The Club at Indian Springs River Course, Broken Arrow PGA SOUTH CENTRAL SECTION June 7-8, SCPGA Sr. PGA Professional Championship, Sand Creek Station GC, Newton, KS June 7-8, Yamaha Sr/Super Sr Section Championship, Sand Creek Station GC, Newton, KS June 14, Korn Ferry Tour Monday Qualifier, Sand Creek Station GC, Newton, KS/Auburn Hills Municipal GC, Wichita, KS July 19-20, Yamaha Section Championship, Stillwater CC July 26-27, Yamaha Sr. HOF Championship, Lakeside GC, Stillwater August 2, National Car Rental Assistants Championship, Quail Creek G&CC, OKC August 16-17, SCPGA Professional Championship, Oklahoma City G&CC, Nichols Hills, OK November 9, Justice Players Championship, Twin Hills G&CC, OKC W W W.GOLFOKL AHOMA.ORG

SOUTH CENTRAL SECTION PLAYERS TOUR June 2, Crestview Players Tour, Crestview CC, Wichita, KS June 21-22, Junior PGA Championship Qualifier, The Club at Indian Springs-River, Broken Arrow June 28, Muskogee Players Tour, Muskogee CC July 9, Hillcrest Players Tour, Hillcrest CC, Bartlesville |July 14, Lost Springs Players Tour, Lost Springs G&AC, Rogers, AR July 19, Stillwater CC Players Tour July 26, River Oaks Players Tour, Edmond August 2-3, Walter Hopper Tour Championship, Meadowbrook CC, Tulsa August 8, The Oakley Cup, Shangri-La Resort, Monkey Island COLLEGE MEN KCAC CHAMPIONSHIP AT BATTLE CREEK GC, BROKEN ARROW (PAR-72) MARCH 22-23 Team scores: 1, Bethany 293-152-149-298 – 892; 2, Kansas Wesleyan 286-157-149-303 – 895; 3, Okla. Wesleyan 310-155-161-306 – 932; 4, Sterling 312-164-157-304 – 937; 5, Southwestern College 317-157-159-315 – 948; 6, Ottawa 319-163-161-322 – 965; 7, Tabor 325-162-158-329 – 977; 8, York 335-170-163-331 – 999; 9, Bethel 344-173-172-335 – 1,024. Individual leaders: 1, Troy Watson (KW) 69-3639-71 – 215; 2, Larus Long (Bethany) 71-37-3774 – 219; 3, Landon Berquist (KW) 71-39-37-75 – 222; 4, Ben Harvey (Bethany) 73-35-38-77 – 223; 5 (tie), Joep Mokkink (Bethany) 74-3939-72 – 224 and Casey Dougherty (Sterling) 78-38-39-69 - 224; 7, Cameron Cross (Ottawa) 76-38-38-73 – 225; 8, Nic Rankin (OKWU) 75-3741-74 – 227. BRONCHO INVITATIONAL AT OAK TREE GC EAST, EDMOND (PAR-70) MARCH 15-16 Team scores: 1, Okla. Christian 293-287-291 – 871; 2, Central Oklahoma 297-289-290 – 876; 3, Washburn 304-284-293 – 881; 4, Central Missouri 206-292-284 – 882; 5, Arkansas Tech 295-297293 – 885; 6, Henderson State 301-295-295 – 891; 7, Maryville 306-290-296 – 892; 8, Southwestern State 301-305-290 – 896; 9, Dallas Baptist 308296-293 – 897; 10, Midwestern State 302-302-295 – 899; 11, Missouri Western State 306-304-294 – 904; 12, Mo.-St. Louis 306-298-301 – 905; 13, Cameron 316-294-300 – 910; 14, Central Oklahoma 305-308-298 – 911; 15, SEOSU 309-302302 – 913; 16, Harding 317-297-303 – 917; 17, West Texas A&M 314-305-305 – 924; 18, S. Nazarene 322-311-310 – 943; 19, Okla. Christian II 335-325302 – 962; 20, Lincoln 343-342-331 – 1,016. Individual leaders: 1,Andrew Beckler (Washburn) 72-64-68 – 204; 2, Trevor Norby (Okla. Chr.) 69-66-74 – 209; 3, Thomas Henson (CM) 72-7368 – 213; 4, Garrett Leek (MWS) 70-72-73 – 215; 5, Mateo Pulcini (Okla. Chr.) 72-73-71 – 216; 6 (tie), Mitchell Ford (HS) 75-73-69 – 217 and Alex Locke (Maryville) 75-70-72 – 217; 8 (tie), Kylian Caydar (UCO) 74-73-71 – 218 and Matt Hoemann (CM) 82-67-69 – 218; 10, Santiago De La Fuente (AT) 77-72-70 – 219, Peyton Knell (UCO) 75-7173 – 219 and Ethan Galvan (UCO) 76-77-66 – 219. Other scores: Caleb Kimmel (UCO) 72-76-72 – 220, Gregor Weck (SWOSU) 76-74-70 – 220, Alejandro Armijo (Okla. Chr.) 77-72-71 – 220. WOMEN KCAC CHAMPIONSHIP AT BATTLE CREEK GC, BROKEN ARROW (PAR-72) MARCH 22-23 Team leaders: 1, Kansas Wesleyan 329-339 – 668; 2, Bethany 349-342 – 691; 3, York College 355-376 – 731; 4, Friends 381-367 – 748; 5, Okla. Wesleyan 377-373 – 750; 6, Southwestern College 380-375 – 755; 7, Sterling 405-405 – 810; 8, Tabor 467-480 – 947.

Individual leaders: 1, Hannah Hart (KW) 85-77 – 162; 2 (tie), Kristen Sawalinh (KW) 81-89 – 170, Peyton Timmerman (SW) 84-86 – 170 and Kayla Tunley (Bethany) 86-84 – 170; 5 (tie), Brooke Harrison (Bethany) 86-85 – 171 and Mikaela Johnson (KW) 87-84 – 171; 7, Aidan Richmond (KW) 79-93 – 172; 8, Corey Mein (KW) 84-89 – 173. Other scores: Cassidy Martin (Okla. Wesleyan) 87-87 – 174; Ashlyn Phipps (Okla. Wesleyan) 91-86 – 177. DIFFEE FORD LINCOLN INVITE AT KICKINGBIRD GC, EDMOND (PAR-70) MARCH 8-9 Team scores: 1, Central Oklahoma 303-307 – 610; 2, Rogers State 306-307 – 613; 3, SWOSU 307-311 – 618; 4, Redlands 314-311 – 625; 5 (tie), Okla. Baptist 310-325 – 635 and Okla. City 320315 – 635; 7, Sioux Falls 321-323 – 644; 8, Central Oklahoma II 320-327 – 647; 9, NW Missouri 318333 – 651; 10, Southern Nazarene 328-333 – 660; 11, Newman 340-336 – 676; 12 (tie), NWOSU 334-343 – 677 and S. Arkansas 335-342 – 677; 14, Okla. Baptist 353-348 – 701; 15, SW Baptist 380-393 – 773. Individual leaders: 1, Emma Shelley (UCO) 7570 – 145; 2 (tie), Megan Brown (SWOSU) 73-75 – 148 and Sydney Murray (RSU) 75-73 – 148; 4 (tie), Rebecca Lau (SWOSU) 76-73 – 149 and Ashlyn Acosta (Redlands) 76-73 – 149; 6 (tie), Jessica Green (UCO) 73-77 – 150 and Alex Bennett (Okla. Chr.) 76-74 – 150; 8 (tie), Lexi Hanson (SF) 74-77 – 151 and Bailey Blake (SNU) 74-77 – 151; 10, Emilie Jackson (SF) 74-79 – 153. Other scores: Susana Olivares (UCO) 74-80 – 154; Natalie Gough (OCU) 79-75 – 154. OJGT MUSKOGEE SPRING BREAK CLASSIC AT MUSKOGEE CC (PAR-71) MARCH 15-16 BOYS 1, Mesa Falleur 71-70 – 141; 2, Jesse Tandoy 7470 – 144; 3, Phisher Phillips 74-71 – 145; 4 (tie), Kaden Armstrong 73-73 – 146 and Michael Senn 74-72 – 146; 6, Jeremy Tandoy 75-72 – 147; 7, Gus Fritz 75-73 – 148; 8 (tie), Ryan Bell 78-72 – 150 and Dominic Stevens 77-73 – 150; 10 (tie), Buddy Wehrli 79-73 – 152 and wSutton McMillan 74-78 – 152; 12, Carson Wright 83-70 – 153. GIRLS 1, Kinslea Jones 81-78 – 159; 2, Beans Factor 8575 – 160; 3, Layne Ailshie 82-81 – 163; 4, Emerie Schartz 82-82 – 164; 5, Averi Mickelson 84-85 – 169; 6, Rylee Roberts 87-83 – 170. BAILEY RANCH SPRING CLASSIC AT BAILEY RANCH GC, OWASSO (PAR-72) MARCH 6-7 BOYS 1, Rhett South 72–70 – 142; 2 (tie), Rhett Hughes, 70-75 – 145 and Brady Wicker 69-76 – 145; 4, Matthew Smith 72-75 – 147; 5 (tie), CJ Phillips 71-78 – 149 and Benjamin Stoller 73-76 – 149; 7, Tripp Schuessler, 70–80 – 150; 8, William Hennessee, 79–73 – 152; 9, Cole Luber 76–78 – 154; 10 (tie), Alex Bloxham, 75–80 – 155, Bo Gentry 75–80 – 155, Grant Gudgel 77–78 – 155, Phisher Phillips 79–76 – 155, and Cale Van Brunt 75-80 – 155; 15 (tie), Evan Kelley 77–79 – 156, Benton Manly 75–81 – 156, and Parker Pogue 83–73 – 156; 18 (tie), Max Bowman 76–81 – 157, Ben Campbell 77–80 – 157, Christian Johnson 77–80 – 157 and Sutton McMillan 78-79 – 157. GIRLS 1, Grace Kilcrease 70–75 – 145; 2, Margaret Ulrich 75–80 – 155; 3, Mimi Hoang 77–81 – 158; 4, Beans Factor, 87–73 – 160; 5, Kinslea Jones, 86–74 – 160; 6, Olivia Coit 79-83 – 162; 7, Rylee Roberts 83-82 – 165; 8, (tie) Layne Ailshie 80–86 – 166 and McKenna Tatum 81–85 – 166; 10, Emerie Schartz 84–83 – 167; 11, Haley Blevins 85–84 – 169; 12 (tie), Juliana Hong 85–85 – 170 and Anna Kate Nichols 86-84 – 170; 14, Meghan Charles 90–82 – 172; 15, Elizabeth Atchley 88–91 – 179. APRIL/MAY 2021 • GOLF OKL AHOMA

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2021 Golf Oklahoma Apr/May

Articles inside

Schedules and results

OCU's David Meyers on a record roll

Fitness Clint Howard

Walker Cup teammates, collegiate rivals Austin Eckroat and Quade Cummins

Scott Verplank tells it like it is, newest member of Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame

Prep standouts abound in Oklahoma

Senior PGA Championship has royal history

Chance meeting led Glen Day to OU

Tom Lehman looks back at 1996 rout

Nicaraguan cigar rivals best of Cuba

Brandt Jobe reinvigorates Oak Tree Gang

The Bookshelf: Golf in every state

Rules, Bob Phelps

Southern Hills brings out stellar field

Rangefinders gain acceptance with PGA