Getting caught up. Sorry for the delay in writing, but I will recap the last few weeks.
The Masters. Tiger did not win, but what a performance he and Phil put on that last round together. I did, though, give Kenny Perry a little notice in my last blog. He had that one in the bag, I thought, but it is The Masters. Chad Campbell also suffered the same fate. As for Tiger, I admire his honesty in saying that his swing was not there. He had to Band-Aid it to compete, unlike Sergio, who did apologize after saying the course was not prepared properly and that he did not care for The Masters.
Weather has been an issue here in Indy again. We get about two or three good days in a row, and then it either rains or turns cold with rain. The NAIA Classic experienced that here in April, but there were some really good scores shot in the cold and the rain. Berry College from Georgia won the two-day event, and Dusty Drenth of St. Ambrose University in Iowa was medalist with an outstanding 36-hole score of 4-under 140. Conditions were not that conducive to low scores, so congrats to the winners. Oh, to be young again and in college!
I competed in my first tournament here in Indiana this year at Broadmoor Country Club, which is a Donald Ross design. The weather was terrible. It was about 45 degrees, windy and rainy. I did not play that bad, just had no short game, including putting very poorly. My next section event will be Monday, May 4 at Fuzzy Zoeller’s new course called Champions Pointe. It is in southern Indiana, down around New Albany, and, of course, the weather forecast is calling for rain. I will report back on the course, as I have heard it is very good.
As I am writing this, the Mid-American Conference Championship is going on here at Brickyard Crossing the next three days. Of course, we have had a two-hour weather delay, and the forecast calls for rain the next three days. Please, can we get a break with this rain so some golf can be played? Oh, well: Cannot control the weather. We just want some good weather for May. My alma mater, Ball State, needs to win the conference to move on to the NCAA regionals. GO CARDS!
The racing season is here, and three races in the Indy Car Series are in the books. Everyone’s attention has turned to the Indy 500. We have numerous days the course is open while the cars are practicing, and this is a really unique experience. Give us a call and book a tee time. We even have tee times available on three qualification days.
There always are numerous events that take place during May. Check out our Web site for our Speed of Play promotion, which includes a Mother’s Day special. That special allows a mother who is accompanied by an immediate family member to play a complimentary round as a guest of the Brickyard. This is thanks to all those moms out there who enjoy the game of golf.
I think that pretty much catches up on the golf happenings here at the Brickyard. Remember, if your game needs a tune-up, give us a call here at the Brickyard and visit us online at www.brickyardcrossing.com.
Jeff Schroeder
PGA Head Professional
Brickyard Crossing
It’s Masters week! Most feel this is the start of spring and the golf season across the Midwest.
I’m going to start by making some picks and observations about the tournament and the players in the field. First, the field is somewhat limited with about 70 players. Of course, my pick to win this year is Tiger – bold pick, huh? – for a few reasons.
First, Tiger is coming off a dramatic victory at Bay Hill in which he birdied the last hole for a one-shot victory. He also still has the passion for the game, and by his expressions after making the winning putt he still shows his emotions for the win. His mental game is such that it almost gives him a two-shot advantage every round over the field. He loves Augusta and the atmosphere.
Now let’s talk about who will contend this week with Tiger. Phil Mickelson has been touted by the media to be his rival. Well, remember there are 70-plus players this week, and 140 players other weeks, who want to beat Tiger. You have to beat the best to become the best.
So let’s move on to a host of players that are ready to win their first major. The foreign contingent is led by last week’s winner, Paul Casey. Then you have Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia, Nick Watney, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and the list goes on. And let’s not forget the defending champion, Trevor Immelman.
Now we can move to some of the older players. We have a crowd favorite in Fred Couples. At age 49, Freddie is playing some very good golf this season with a couple of top-five finishes, including last week when he bogeyed his last three holes for a third-place finish. Also playing this week is 48-year-old Kenny Perry, who has been one of the hottest players over the last year and could challenge this week for his first green jacket.
We also have Greg Norman returning to Augusta, a place where the green jacket has eluded him numerous times with a meltdown in 1996 in which he lost a six-shot lead over eventual winner Nick Faldo. And last but not least, the lone Hoosier to win The Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller. Fuzzy won his green jacket in 1979, his first start at Augusta, in a playoff over Ed Sneed and Tom Watson. This is the 30th anniversary of his victory, and he has decided it will be his last Masters as a competitor. Thanks, Fuzzy, for all the memories, and good luck in your final appearance as a player.
Here are some interesting notes about Augusta. It limits the amount of spectators. You must either already have tickets, or badges, as they call them, to attend the tournament Thursday through Sunday. They have a lottery for practice tickets, in which they also limit the amount of spectators. They also have a waiting list for volunteers. You never see any debris laying around the course. The prices at the concession stands are considered among the least expensive of all major sporting events, and they limit the amount of TV time along with the amount of commercials during the broadcast.
I have been fortunate enough to go to The Masters twice and can tell you that it is well worth the trip if you ever get the chance. It is most likely on every sports-minded person’s bucket list, along with the Indianapolis 500.
With The Masters this week and tax day next week, we hope that we get some good weather here and see lots of golfers. We go into a full schedule starting this weekend with a NAIA college tournament here hosted by Indiana Wesleyan. There are teams from all over the country coming to play the Brickyard. There are some very good players on these teams, and I will report back on the results next week.
Jeff Schroeder
PGA Head Professional
Brickyard Crossing