GOLF: Grand Slam discussion center on Immelman
By Barry Poe Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
So much for that bold prediction from this corner proclaiming Tiger Woods as a sure winner of the 72nd Masters.
As it turns out, a young South African stole the show from the world's No. 1-ranked player. In the end, it was Trevor Immelman receiving the green jacket from Zach Johnson, the pride of Iowa, not Tiger Woods.
But, honestly now, how many of you didn't think Woods would win? The oddsmakers even made him the most overwhelming favorite in the history of the event, for goodness sake.
Poor putting wound up ruining Tiger's chances, while Immelman held together to become a wire-to-wire winner of golf's most prestigious event. The victory, which came four months after Immelman had a tumor removed from his back, earned him $1.35 million and, of course, will change his life forever.
In a Masters that lacked any kind of drama, Immelman led by as many as six strokes on the back nine Sunday before settling for a three-shot win over Woods. The roars that normally resonate through the Georgia pines were few and far between.
Three months ago, Woods stated that winning all four majors in the same year was "easily within reason." Now, the only talk of a Grand Slam must center on the 28-year-old Immelman, who matched the highest final round score by a Masters champion with his 3-over 75.
Perhaps a new trend is developing at Augusta National. Nobody expected Zach Johnson to win last year and Immelman certainly came out of nowhere this time around. A voice mail from his boyhood idol, fellow South African Gary Player, that said "I know you're going to win," must have provided plenty of incentive.
Whatever the reason, hats off to Trevor Immelman, the new Masters champion. The next step in his quest for the Grand Slam is the U.S. Open in June at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
And, also, kudos to fellow Journal staffers Tim Gallagher and John Quinlan. Gallagher had the moxie to pick Immelman in our fantasy golf league while Quinlan nabbed him with his final pick in the office pool.
The Honker Classic at Green Valley this weekend officially opens the local tournament season. Todd Sapp and Dan Brooks are the defending champions in the two-day event.
Another popular event, the Elk Point Early Bird tournament, is set for Saturday, April 26 at Elk Point Country Club. Sapp won the 2007 Early Bird title by one shot over fellow Sioux Cityan Ayron Corporon.
A day later, Whispering Creek Golf Club plays host to the Western Iowa 2-Man Championship.
Next week's column will include a preview of each event.
We're just a month away from Sioux City's first "major" tournament, the Tri-State Masters, set for May 16-18. The three-day event begins at Two Rivers Golf Club on Friday before switching to Covington Links in South Sioux City on Saturday and Green Valley on Sunday. Corporon is the defending champion.
The 72nd Interstate Amateur Championship is slated for June 7-8 at Two Rivers. By the way, have you noticed that The Masters and the Interstate are each celebrating their 72nd birthdays?
Green Valley will host the River-Cade tournament on July 12-13 and the 95th Men's City Championship on Aug. 16-17. Nate Barbee, a University of Kansas linkster, won last year's River-Cade while Dan Freed is the reigning Men's City champ.
And, let us not forget about the inaugural Dakota Dunes Super Amateur Championship Sept. 20-21. Read more about this exciting event in the future.
For those interested in statewide events, the 23rd Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship is the official season-opening event conducted by the Iowa Golf Association. The Tournament Club of Polk City is the site.
Speaking of the Elk Point Early Bird, sympathies go out to the family of Gene Sandage, who passed away this week at the age of 77.
Sandage, in his role as president of the Elk Point Country Club, annually provided valuable information to the media concerning his beloved Early Bird tourney. It was always a pleasure to work with Gene, who like a lot of us, had a huge passion for the game of golf.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
As it turns out, a young South African stole the show from the world's No. 1-ranked player. In the end, it was Trevor Immelman receiving the green jacket from Zach Johnson, the pride of Iowa, not Tiger Woods.
But, honestly now, how many of you didn't think Woods would win? The oddsmakers even made him the most overwhelming favorite in the history of the event, for goodness sake.
Poor putting wound up ruining Tiger's chances, while Immelman held together to become a wire-to-wire winner of golf's most prestigious event. The victory, which came four months after Immelman had a tumor removed from his back, earned him $1.35 million and, of course, will change his life forever.
In a Masters that lacked any kind of drama, Immelman led by as many as six strokes on the back nine Sunday before settling for a three-shot win over Woods. The roars that normally resonate through the Georgia pines were few and far between.
Three months ago, Woods stated that winning all four majors in the same year was "easily within reason." Now, the only talk of a Grand Slam must center on the 28-year-old Immelman, who matched the highest final round score by a Masters champion with his 3-over 75.
Perhaps a new trend is developing at Augusta National. Nobody expected Zach Johnson to win last year and Immelman certainly came out of nowhere this time around. A voice mail from his boyhood idol, fellow South African Gary Player, that said "I know you're going to win," must have provided plenty of incentive.
Whatever the reason, hats off to Trevor Immelman, the new Masters champion. The next step in his quest for the Grand Slam is the U.S. Open in June at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
And, also, kudos to fellow Journal staffers Tim Gallagher and John Quinlan. Gallagher had the moxie to pick Immelman in our fantasy golf league while Quinlan nabbed him with his final pick in the office pool.
The Honker Classic at Green Valley this weekend officially opens the local tournament season. Todd Sapp and Dan Brooks are the defending champions in the two-day event.
Another popular event, the Elk Point Early Bird tournament, is set for Saturday, April 26 at Elk Point Country Club. Sapp won the 2007 Early Bird title by one shot over fellow Sioux Cityan Ayron Corporon.
A day later, Whispering Creek Golf Club plays host to the Western Iowa 2-Man Championship.
Next week's column will include a preview of each event.
We're just a month away from Sioux City's first "major" tournament, the Tri-State Masters, set for May 16-18. The three-day event begins at Two Rivers Golf Club on Friday before switching to Covington Links in South Sioux City on Saturday and Green Valley on Sunday. Corporon is the defending champion.
The 72nd Interstate Amateur Championship is slated for June 7-8 at Two Rivers. By the way, have you noticed that The Masters and the Interstate are each celebrating their 72nd birthdays?
Green Valley will host the River-Cade tournament on July 12-13 and the 95th Men's City Championship on Aug. 16-17. Nate Barbee, a University of Kansas linkster, won last year's River-Cade while Dan Freed is the reigning Men's City champ.
And, let us not forget about the inaugural Dakota Dunes Super Amateur Championship Sept. 20-21. Read more about this exciting event in the future.
For those interested in statewide events, the 23rd Iowa Mid-Amateur Championship is the official season-opening event conducted by the Iowa Golf Association. The Tournament Club of Polk City is the site.
Speaking of the Elk Point Early Bird, sympathies go out to the family of Gene Sandage, who passed away this week at the age of 77.
Sandage, in his role as president of the Elk Point Country Club, annually provided valuable information to the media concerning his beloved Early Bird tourney. It was always a pleasure to work with Gene, who like a lot of us, had a huge passion for the game of golf.
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
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