By Bob Arnett
The Tribune-Star
October 07, 2007 12:01 am
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The WTHI Men’s City Golf Tournament began with a bang during the first round when 15 players shot scores of par or better, but by the time the final nine was being played it was a pair of six-time city champs matching shots down the stretch for the title.
A large gallery watched Ted Kaperak, who held a one-shot advantage over Tom Jones, hit a thin second shot on 18. When the ball skipped across the water and settled in a greenside bunker, it appeared that Jones might tie or even win with a birdie.
Kaperak then hit a nice blast from the sand that ran downhill about 10 feet past the pin. Jones’ second had rolled 10 feet past the pin, just off the green, but situated between two clumps of grass. When Jones chip was well short of the cup, both two putted for bogies and Kaperak had notched his seventh city championship with a one under par 297, whereas Jones matched par with 298.
There were other players who made spirited runs on the final day. Troy Farris was third, just two swings behind Kappy with one over 299. Charlie Kluesner, a recent Oakland (Mich.) University graduate, and a four year member of their golf team, tied with long hitting Stu Johnson for fourth with 290s. Both were in contention during most of the final nine.
Others who bettered the 300 stroke plateau included Scott Hess, Dave Brown, Jim Winning, Chris Cassell, Don Alumbaugh and Chris Keen.
Kudos are in order for outgoing Terre Haute Golf Association president, Craig Miller, who did an outstanding job in administrating this season’s tournaments.
At the annual THGA. dinner, Chris Keen was elected to another term as president for 2008. Keen was also THGA. president in 2006.
Brothers, Dave Alumbaugh and Don Alumbaugh, golf course superintendents at Hulman Links and Rea Park respectively, along with their maintenance crews deserve a 21 gun salute for the hard work they have contributed during the past, long, hot summer.
When most golfers throw their clubs in the trunk and head for air conditioning and refreshments after four or five hours in 90 plus degree weather, the people who work at the courses are nowhere near Miller time.
Here are the names of those who deserve the credit at Hulman Links: Dave Alumbaugh, Shawn Daugherty, Jim Shepherd, Dave Otte, Margaret Stephens, Randy Nicoson, Dave Williams, Tom Walsh, Bob Musgrave and Jim Sullivan.
Those at Rea Park include: Don Alumbaugh, Larry Atterson, John Cox, Ken Bosc, Ken Doty, Jim Doty, Pat Walker and Ted Schneider.
Kenny Bosc declared he was the hardest worker at Rea Park. When subjected to a vote of his peers, Bosc received one vote. There is nothing like democracy.
The FedEx Championship is now a thing of the past, and was it a successful venture? We would guess that would depend on whom you were asking.
The world’s number one player had to like the way it ended when he added another 10 million dollars to an already overflowing bank account, even though he’ll need to wait a couple of decades for his winning total to grow to that 10 million dollar mark.
Some of the entrants didn’t understand how players could skip one of the four playoff tourneys and still maintain their lofty positions in the race for the cup. Also, many didn’t comprehend the manner in which points were dispersed.
Some players were unhappy concerning the need to play several tournaments in a row without “time off.” Most people would wonder why playing golf would make anyone tired, but I would guess the mental aspects of competitive golf contribute to physical weariness, much like doctors or lawyers experience when faced with passing examinations to qualify for their respective medical or law licenses.
At any rate, it would appear that the “cup” accomplished its major purpose, which was to keep professional golf’s hierarchy playing tournaments under the PGA banner instead of playing in international tournaments or taking a sabbatical.
And if you didn’t bet on Tiger Woods, you shouldn’t go to a racetrack.
Most TV golf watchers have seen the MetLife blimp hovering overhead at a variety of golf courses. When my daughter, Paula Brandon, an employee of MetLife, called with an invitation to see the airship up close, the family jumped at the opportunity.
The airship is 128 feet long, holds 69,000 cubic feet of helium, and is manned by a single pilot. The camera which is mounted in a forward position on the ship can rotate 360 degrees.
The ship we saw was Snoopy One and it was moored at DuPage County Airport in the town of West Chicago. Snoopy Two and Three are operated in various sections of the country.
There is no air conditioning nor restroom facility on board. It seems that might pose a problem. The blimp usual cruises at one or two thousand feet. Propellers on two small engines move the ship at 30 to 35 miles per hour. The three Snoopies usually operate in warmer climes since the gondola is not heated. When winter approaches they head south to Florida, a trip which usually takes three or four days. When asked if flocks of geese pose a problem, the answer was, “They would just bounce off since Kevlar is used in the skin of the ship.” It was a great experience to inspect Snoopy One up close.
• Tip of the week — Most golfers who are in the “beginners” class slice their tee shots. In trying to overcome this tendency, they steer their swing to the left (for right handed players) thereby cutting across the line of flight and worsening their slice. Several things can cause a slice, from expending your wrist action too soon on the downswing to hanging back on the back foot by failing to transfer your weight to the front foot before the hit. And then there is the matter of keeping your right elbow (for right handers) in at your side.
Obviously the slice is a major bug-a-boo for many golfers. It’s best to consult your local pro for help. If that is not in your plans, you might just drop your arms straight down at the beginning of your forward swing. This action will give you a better chance to swing from the inside and combat the dreaded slice.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Tribune-Star golf columnist Bob Arnett can be reached by e-mail at subob@aol.com or by mail at the Tribune-Star, P.O. Box 149, Terre Haute, IN, 47808.
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