 Nicklaus
advocates "First Tee" at Congress to support golf program for youngsters
Jack Nicklaus told recently congressional lawmakers that golf is not only a game, but also
a standard of behavior that can help youngsters learn about sportsmanship and honor.
``Early on, my father saw me throw a club,'' Nicklaus said. ``He told me that if he ever
saw me do that again, I wouldn't play anymore. He never saw me do it again.''
Nicklaus, who holds a record 18 major golf tournament titles and is a well-known golf
course designer, asked the House Education and the Work force Committee to support
programs like The First Tee. It's a nationwide initiative that offers students the
opportunity to perfect their golf while learning life skills.
First Tee, started in 1997, relies on assistance from professional golfers, parents,
schools, civic organizations, business leaders and state and local governments.
``The mission is to impact the lives of young people by introducing them to the game of
golf and its values,'' said Joe Louis Barrow Jr., First Tee executive director.
Last year, more than 60,000 children participated in the program, which is offered at 87
sites nationwide. The program's goal is to reach more than 500,000 youngsters by 2005,
Barrow said.
House Education Chairman John Boehner said First Tee is an example of the kind of
character-education programs President Bush wants to promote and expand. Former President
George Bush is First Tee's honorary chairman.
``No activity better parallels life and teaches character in order to be successful in
life than the game of golf,'' said Boehner, R-Ohio. ``As in life, to be successful in golf
you must realize you are always going to make mistakes.''
Nicklaus told the committee he supports the program because he thinks the sport is the
best way to teach children life lessons.
``Golf is a game that requires discipline and has plenty of opportunities for achievement,
whether that is clearing a hazard for the first time or sinking that sidehill, downhill
putt,'' he said.
Ballesteros' withdrawal from British Open
Seve Ballesteros withdrew from the British, choosing to pass on a tournament he has won
three times in 1979, 1984 and 1988. The five majors winner gave no reason for withdrawing
from the July 18-21 tournament at Muirfield, Scotland. He has played in the last 27
British Opens, missing the cut the last six years and recently he has been disqualified
from the Irish Open after signing an incorrect scorecard. Ballesteros, who won the Masters
in 1980 and '83, is winless since the 1995 Spanish Open.
Playing just like Nicklaus?
At the last Senior PGA Championship on the par-70
Firestone Country Club at Akron (Ohio), Jack Nicklaus shot an down-and-up 78 on the second
round to finish 36 holes at 9-over 149.
``People have always wanted to play like I do. Now they
can,'' he cracked as a simple explanation for why fans still come out in droves to watch
him play "even to watch me play like a hacker".
Sure, his flexibility is limited by an aching, creaky back. But what hurts the winner of
18 professional major championships more than his back is his pride.
``I won't play much like this,'' Nicklaus said after his
round. ``You won't see me around if I'm playing this way, if I feel this way. I enjoy
playing golf. I love to play golf. But there's no fun if you can't play and I obviously
couldn't play today.''
He tells the second hole, in particular, was an adventure. ``Was that something?… A
pull-hook into a tree that spits it out into the fairway. A 3-wood pulled-hook into
another tree that spits it back into the fairway. A horrible wedge onto the green to 10 or
11 feet. A horrible shot. And then, plunk. Par. Easy 4. And I'm the only one that makes a
4.''.
And he decided to withdraw from the 2002 US Senior Open. Champion's word. |
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Tiger, winner of a rainy US Open 2002
Tiger's victory at the 2002 U.S. Open delivered the highest television ratings ever for
the second of golf's Grand Slam events.
The reason? The 2002 US Open has been played on one of the most difficult course, Bethpage
State Park's Black Course (Long Island). Redesigned by Jones for the U.S. Open, it is the
longest in U.S. Open history at 7,214 yards. But it has been also the worst.
The reason? Persistent rain caused puddles on tee boxes, fairways and greens; turned hills
and paths into a scene from Woodstock; and made U.S. Open umbrellas the hottest item at
the merchandise tent. And Woods and his playing partner, Sergio Garcia, who teed off at
3:30 were interrupted by rain for 50 minutes.
A $160.000 putt for Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia made a 3-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole worth seven skins and $160,000
and went on to win the Telus Skins Game at Huntsville (Ontario) Canada.
Vijay Singh was second with five skins worth $90,000, all won Monday, while John Daly had
five skins worth $85,000.
St. Andrews to host Curtis Cup in 2008
St. Andrews will play host to the Curtis Cup, the women's
amateur golf equivalent of the Ryder Cup, for the first time in 2008. The Ladies Golf
Union said the history and tradition of St. Andrews made it an ideal venue for the
international team competition between the United States and Great Britain & Ireland.
The United States has won 22 matches in the series, Britain & Ireland six, and three
have been halved. Results have been much closer since 1984, with four wins each and one
halved match. This year's contest will be played Aug. 3-4 at Fox Chapel Golf Club in
Pittsburgh. |
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