Teeing Off: Views and Voices

TRUST ME
by James P. Herre
Based on the last two weeks, I don't want Adam Scott in my U.S. Openpool.

June 18, 2007

Mark Brazil
Tournament Director
Forest Oaks Country Club
4600 Forest Oaks Drive
Greensboro, N.C. 27406

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j.garrity@sportsillustrated.com

Dear Mr.Brazil:

You don't know me,so I'll get right to the point. I'd like to play in the upcoming WyndhamChampionship on a sponsor's exemption. And as I understand it, you're the manwho gets to pick four players who don't otherwise qualify under PGA Tourrules.

Before you tossthis in the wastebasket, please hear me out. I know that sponsor's exemptionsusually go to established touring pros with local ties or to hotshot youngsterswith gallery appeal. I, on the other hand, am 60 years old, play to a 10handicap and can't beat half the guys at Kansas City's Swope Memorial GolfClub, where I play on a senior-discount, no-weekend-or-holiday-mornings annualpass.

But I can watch TVas well as the next guy, and it seems to me that every tour event these dayshas either Michelle Wie or John Daly playing on a sponsor's exemption. Now, I'mnot saying I can beat either of them on my best day. (Although, come to thinkof it, I might have beaten Wie two weeks ago at the LPGA's Ginn Tribute, wherethe teenage pro came within hailing distance of a first-round 90 before walkingoff the course with a dangerously unswollen wrist.) Daly, in particular, oftenbreaks 80. He's No. 318 in the World Ranking, and he shot an even-par 70 in thefirst round of last week's Stanford St. Jude Championship. He might have doneeven better on Day Two if his wife hadn't attacked him with a steak knifebefore breakfast and then run off with the kids, as he tells it.

So here's why youshould make me a sponsor's pick: I won't embarrass you. I won't withdraw onFriday afternoon, pleading heat exhaustion or camera-induced dystonia, when I'm10 strokes over the cut line with eight holes to play. I won't hockey-stick theball around the greens for two days and then race to the nearest Hooters tosign ball caps and boobs. I'll give you two solid rounds of 90; I'll have abeer with the sponsors in their hospitality tent; and I'll thank youafterward.

And who knows? Ifyou also invite Wie and Daly, I just might finish as "second-to-lowunrestricted-sponsor's invitee."

Crossing myfingers while waiting for your response, I am . . .

John Garrity
Senior Writer

P.S. If the answeris yes, please call me before informing the other media. I don't want thoseblowhards to scoop me.

New Math

Oklahoma State star Pablo Martin turns pro and makesthe U.S. Open

BMOC - SOMETHING TO PROVE + EURO TOUR WIN + TIGER'SAGENT X MONEY WAITING=OPEN DREAMS

 

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