Tuesdays with Smitty: The LPGA Invades Rochester, NY

By Aaron M Smith

Just as the golf world is starting to recover from its Bethpage “hangover”, the LPGA begins its week here in Rochester, NY. Featuring 144 women golfers, the Wegmans LPGA celebrates its 33rd year at the Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford, NY. Known as  one of the favorite stops for most of the members in the LPGA,  Rochester has seen Hall of Famers such as Patty Sheehan, Nancy Lopez, Kathy Whitworth and future Hall of Famers such Lorena Ochoa and Karrie Webb win multiple championships as the Wegman LPGA. In fact Nancy Lopez has developed such a relationship wtih local Rochester golf fans, that the Wegmans LPGA is one of the few tournaments she continues to play.

Locust Hill Country Club, considered by many in Rochester to be the “other” major golf course (thanks to Oak Hill C.C.) plays out a 6,365 yard -Par 72, course. While Locust Hill is certainly not Bethpage, the course is known for its narrow fairways and tough greens. In fact, Locust Hill has relied on their greens to be extremely fast – making it difficult for golfers to shoot directly at the flags. Fast greens also tend be hard, resulting in players having a difficult time controlling the spin on their approach shots.  In the last couple of years, Rochester has seen alot of rain late May/early June,  leading to lows scores in the tournaments. This year should be no different.

It is also importance to note the impact of the Wegmans LPGA on the Rochester area. Not only does all 100% of the tournament net proceeds benefit Rochester youth programs – it is estimated that the LPGA event contributes nearly $10 million dollars to the Rochester economy 0n an annual basis.

 

In 2008, over 100,000 spectators took in the LPGA event. LPGA organizers expect bigger numbers this year. If you live in the Rochester area, I suggest heading to Locust Hill this weekend. Yours truly will be there for a couple of the days, working as a Course Marshal. Head down to Locust Hill and watch future Hall of Famers such as Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak will vie for another Wegmans LPGA championship. Young stars such as Paula Creamer, Kristy McPherson, Natalie Gulbis, Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel and rookie sensation Anna Nordqvist will take their best shot at taming Locust Hill. Unfortunately Rochester’s own, Danielle Downey will not be playing this year. For those who can’t make it down to Locust Hill –  check out ESPN2. The weather forecast for this weekend looks promising and it is guaranteed there will be some great golf this weekend.

As for predictions – well after last week, I think I will take a break and not jinx anyone.

Observations and thoughts about Bethpage:

— Tiger Woods might be end of being the poster child for the difference between the players caught in Thursday’s rain and the golfers who were afforded the luxury of waiting tuntil late Friday to start their first round.  Tiger’s first round (as well as others) was miserable and the rain was certainly a factor. But in the end, the rain wasn’t the reason Tiger lost the U.S. Open – he can thank his putter for that.

— It was a shame to see fans boo Padraig Harrington during his miserable second round. After winning 2 majors last year, Harrington decided he didn’t like where his swing was. So over the winter, Harrington decided to make major changes to his swing – changes he feels will make him more successful in the long run. Unfortunately for Harrington, it appears that he has yet to consistently implement those changes on the golf course. Still, it wasn’t necessary for golf fans to boo Harrington. Then again, if you win 2 majors – expectations have been raised. But considering his struggles, don’t be surprised if we don’t see Harrington back on U.S. soil until next year.

— Congratulations to Lucas Glover for winning the U.S. Open! But show some emotion, dude. You didn’t just win a Blueberry pie eating contest – you won the U.S. Open!! Fall to your knees, jump up & down – go crazy. You just conquered Bethpage – I think you earned it.

—  With 2 majors down and 2 more to go, Tiger Woods runs the risk of seeing his streak of winning one major during the year come to an end. This is Tiger’s second stretch of winning at least one major during the calendar year – currently at 4 years. Only Walter Hagen has a longer consecutive streak – 6.

— Direct TV has become the source to watch any major golf tournament. Not only were 4 channels dedicated to the U.S. Open – each  channel had a different purpose. One channel was a mix of the entire tournament, while another channel focused on a “marquee group”. A third channel was dedicated to a Bethpage’s signature hole. The marquee group was fun to watch, as you got to see alot of the preparation and strategy these golfers put into each shot. So much gets missed when CBS or any other channel jumps from one shot to another – it was nice to see how Tiger and Co. really approach each shot and then how they go about executing. Hopefully Direct TV is in for the British Open.