U.S. SENIOR OPEN 2008
Originally Published on August 11, 2008 by ranchomurieta.com
Diaries written by: Don Thames
Preparing for the U.S. Senior Open:
The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Wednesday, July 02, 2008:
I received a call from John Spitzer from the USGA who wanted to take a look at my driver to see if it was conforming. I said, "Sure, I know it is. I'll see you in 10 minutes." At our meeting he inspected my club while glancing at his manual full of USGA conforming equipment. "It looks OK," he said. As he was handing the club back to me he noticed a decal on the toe. "What's this?" he said. "This logo is not on my list."
Spitzer explained to me that all conforming clubs must be in possession of the USGA, and this particular club with the logo had not been submitted. Even though the difference was cosmetic, Spitzer pooh-poohed my driver. He was sorry but the USGA actually checked their inventory to see of there was a mistake. There was no mistake. The USGA did not have my driver with this Genji logo.
After several calls to the manufacturer, I finally gave up. It was a mess. I could not play with my own club. So I went to the TaylorMade trailer and they made me a driver I would use for the tournament. As much as I tried, the stress and anger over the situation would not leave my mind. Finally I resigned myself to the fact that I would be competing using the TaylorMade. This whole process took about four hours. This was time and distraction that I did not want or need. After all, there is enough distraction.
Fortunately, Kevin and Tracy Sexton arrived and Kevin calmed me down and caddied for the back nine holes that I had planned to play that day. Also, in the gallery were Rod and Betty Lawson, Matt and Karen Davis, Mike and Nancy Page, Carole and her sister Mary Blakemore, Pat Lytle, Mike and Sue Fisher and a sprinkling of other spectators.
Naturally, I thought that the amateur had summoned the USGA because the pros could care less about some amateur from Rancho Murieta. When I saw Mike on Friday he explained to me that he and Ben were talking me up to the equipment rep and were sorry that they could have turned up trouble for me. Of course it was the rep who had the most to lose, so I am sure he was why the USGA asked about the club. My driver manufacturer immediately overnighted a new club to the Broadmoor.
All of our family and friends went out to dinner that night in Colorado Springs and had a great time. They helped me forget a very stressful day.
What some happy golf students say:
"Don is an amazing teacher. He helped me go from barely even being able to hit the ball to being able to play on weekends with my dad. Golf is now my favorite sport."
- Trevor A.
"Don is great at diagnosing the weak areas in a golfers game. After one chipping lesson with Don my handicap decreased by two strokes in just over a month."
- Chase A.
"I have been in the Jr. Golf Program with Coach Don since I was 5 years old. Coach Don has helped me to be successful on the Jr. PGA Team and in other golf tournaments."
- Axel S.