BARNES FINISHES FOURTH IN
SINGLES AT WORLD GAMES
KAOHSIUNG, Chinese Taipei - Team USA's Chris Barnes finished fourth in singles recently at the World Games, narrowly missing an opportunity to bring home a medal.
A costly 4-7-10 split in the final frame of the last game kept Barnes on the outside of the top-three stepladder finals by 13 pins. He finished the 10-game round-robin match play with 2,221, including 60 bonus pins for a 6-4 match-play record.
Colombia's Manuel Otalora went on to win the men's title by defeating top seed Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong, 445-367, in the two-game championship. Otalora advanced from the semifinal with a 184-181 one-game win over Malaysia's Adrian Ang, who defeated Barnes 245-187 in the final game of match play.
"I'm really disappointed because there are so many of the guys on Team USA who could have come here and won this event," Barnes said. "I was really honored to be selected to compete here and to not finish the deal makes me feel like I've let my team down."
Heading into the position round game against Ang, there was a brief break to tabulate scores. Barnes said during that break he lost some of the momentum from the 257 he had in Game 9.
"During that little break I sort of lost my feel for what I was doing," Barnes said. "I threw it a lot better after the sixth frame to get back into the hunt, but it just wasn't enough. The last shot where I split, the ball was just about one board left of target and needed some help. It just wasn't my best effort."
On the women's side, Finland's Krista Pollanen, the No. 3 seed, defeated top seed Zara Glover of England, 407-378, to win the gold medal Liza Del Rosario of the Philippines lost to Pollanen in the semifinal, 215-210, and earned the bronze.
Bowling is one of more than 30 sports not currently included in the Olympics that are being showcased in the World Games until July 26. Bowling, along with archery, billiards and bocce, is classified as a precision sport.
For more information on the World Games, visit the official Web site of the event at www.worldgames2009.tw.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Duke Wins Third Straight
ESPY in “Best Bowler” Category
Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., won the 2008-09 “Best Bowler” ESPY Award for his third consecutive ESPY win and fourth overall.
The ESPY Awards, presented by ESPN, represent the best in sports in a variety of categories. The annual ESPY Awards ceremonies were held on July 15 in Los Angeles and aired on ESPN Sunday night.
Duke was the winner in fan voting over Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, and Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. Duke was a three-time Lumber Liquidators PBA title winner and the Tour’s earnings leader during the 2008-09 season. Winning the 2008 PBA World Championship gave him a record three straight PBA major titles. Malott also was a three-time winner and edged Duke in the 2008-09 PBA Player of the Year points race. Barnes, a two-time title winner, was third in Player of the Year points.
“The ESPYs is a chance for bowling to reside alongside all of the other sports,” Duke said. “Whether you believe baseball, basketball and football are the top tier sports, for a week we’re all the same. The ESPYs is a celebration of the greatest seasons in all sports. To be mentioned along with all of those great athletes is really special. It’s a terrific experience. I have a lot of wonderful memories from being a part of the ESPYs.”
About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events and awarded over $4.3 million in prize money during the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA National Tour. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com.
ESPY in “Best Bowler” Category
Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., won the 2008-09 “Best Bowler” ESPY Award for his third consecutive ESPY win and fourth overall.
The ESPY Awards, presented by ESPN, represent the best in sports in a variety of categories. The annual ESPY Awards ceremonies were held on July 15 in Los Angeles and aired on ESPN Sunday night.
Duke was the winner in fan voting over Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, and Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. Duke was a three-time Lumber Liquidators PBA title winner and the Tour’s earnings leader during the 2008-09 season. Winning the 2008 PBA World Championship gave him a record three straight PBA major titles. Malott also was a three-time winner and edged Duke in the 2008-09 PBA Player of the Year points race. Barnes, a two-time title winner, was third in Player of the Year points.
“The ESPYs is a chance for bowling to reside alongside all of the other sports,” Duke said. “Whether you believe baseball, basketball and football are the top tier sports, for a week we’re all the same. The ESPYs is a celebration of the greatest seasons in all sports. To be mentioned along with all of those great athletes is really special. It’s a terrific experience. I have a lot of wonderful memories from being a part of the ESPYs.”
About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events and awarded over $4.3 million in prize money during the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA National Tour. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com.
BARNES, NATION FINISH
SEVENTH IN WORLD
GAMES MIXED DOUBLES
KAOHSIUNG, Chinese Taipei - After getting off to a slow start, Team USA's Chris Barnes and Stefanie Nation settled for a seventh-place finish recently in mixed doubles at the 2009 World Games.
The pair shot combined totals of 353 and 370 the first two games to fall behind the field in the six-game format. They finished with 2,454, missing the cut to the three-team stepladder finals by 122 pins.
Korea's Kong Byoung-Hee and Gye Min-Young went on to win the gold medal by defeating Colombia's Anggie Rodriguez and Manuel Otalora in two games, 840-710. Malaysia's Adrian Ang and Zatil Iman lost to the Koreans in the semifinal, 421-391, in one game to take the bronze medal.
"You really had to get out of the gate with a strong start and we didn't do that," said Nation, who shot 1,206. "You had to make moves quickly, and we just didn't do it early enough."
Barnes, who shot 1,248, said the decision to play the outside part of the lane early cost them a shot at making the stepladder finals.
"It was a very disappointing day," Barnes said. "We made a strategic error by deciding to play out and it turns out it was a bad decision. The lane conditions were tough and we didn't have any room to make mistakes out there."
Although mixed doubles is now concluded, the players' individual scores from Monday carry forward and are combined with 12 additional qualifying games of singles on Tuesday. The top 10 men and top 10 women after the 18 games advance to round robin match play Wednesday morning. The top three men and top three women then advance to the stepladder finals to determine the singles medalists.
Both Team USA players sit among the top 10 individuals after Monday's round. Barnes is seventh, while Nation is eighth.
Bowling is one of more than 30 sports not currently included in the Olympics that are being showcased in the World Games until July 26. Bowling, along with archery, billiards and bocce, is classified as a precision sport.
For more information on the World Games, visit the official Web site of the event at www.worldgames2009.tw.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
SEVENTH IN WORLD
GAMES MIXED DOUBLES
KAOHSIUNG, Chinese Taipei - After getting off to a slow start, Team USA's Chris Barnes and Stefanie Nation settled for a seventh-place finish recently in mixed doubles at the 2009 World Games.
The pair shot combined totals of 353 and 370 the first two games to fall behind the field in the six-game format. They finished with 2,454, missing the cut to the three-team stepladder finals by 122 pins.
Korea's Kong Byoung-Hee and Gye Min-Young went on to win the gold medal by defeating Colombia's Anggie Rodriguez and Manuel Otalora in two games, 840-710. Malaysia's Adrian Ang and Zatil Iman lost to the Koreans in the semifinal, 421-391, in one game to take the bronze medal.
"You really had to get out of the gate with a strong start and we didn't do that," said Nation, who shot 1,206. "You had to make moves quickly, and we just didn't do it early enough."
Barnes, who shot 1,248, said the decision to play the outside part of the lane early cost them a shot at making the stepladder finals.
"It was a very disappointing day," Barnes said. "We made a strategic error by deciding to play out and it turns out it was a bad decision. The lane conditions were tough and we didn't have any room to make mistakes out there."
Although mixed doubles is now concluded, the players' individual scores from Monday carry forward and are combined with 12 additional qualifying games of singles on Tuesday. The top 10 men and top 10 women after the 18 games advance to round robin match play Wednesday morning. The top three men and top three women then advance to the stepladder finals to determine the singles medalists.
Both Team USA players sit among the top 10 individuals after Monday's round. Barnes is seventh, while Nation is eighth.
Bowling is one of more than 30 sports not currently included in the Olympics that are being showcased in the World Games until July 26. Bowling, along with archery, billiards and bocce, is classified as a precision sport.
For more information on the World Games, visit the official Web site of the event at www.worldgames2009.tw.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
PAULA CREAMER
Teleconference
DANA GORDON: I'd like to welcome everyone to today's RICOH Women's British Open teleconference with Paula Creamer. It will be played July 30th through August 2nd at the Royal Lytham and St. Anne's Golf Club. South Korea's Jiyai Shin is the defending champion and Jiyai Shin is currently No. 1 on the Money List. The tournament is coming up in two weeks.
To welcome Paula, she joined the LPGA in 2005 and is the winner of eight LPGA titles. She's currently ranked No. 5 in the Rolex World Rankings, and Paula's best finish at the RICOH Women's British Open was a tie for seventh at the 2007 event at St. Andrews.
Paula, we are two weeks away from this year's RICOH Women's British Open. If you could start by telling us how you feel you're preparing for the final major championship of the season.
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, I'm looking really forward to going to this event. I've played this golf course before. I feel good about it. I've been working hard on my game, being able to actually get back into playing golf now, with my thumb injury. But it's nice to be able to have a week off, play in the Evian, being able to go to the Open rested and ready to go.
DANA GORDON: If you could tell us a bit more about your thumb, if you're feeling good, your health overall.
PAULA CREAMER: I'm feeling much better. My thumb is just something that I guess I'm going to have to kind of deal with over time. But it feels a lot better. Four days at the Open, it was no pain, just a lot of ice. Rest is the most important thing for it. But at the same time I still need to practice and work on things for the rest of the season.
DANA GORDON: This year the RICOH Women's British Open has gone green with the GIFT initiative, GIFT stands for Green Initiatives For Tomorrow, an initiative hosted by the championship on the championship website, and it encourages people to make changes in their everyday lives to reduce their carbon footprints. Paula, you are the RICOH global ambassador and are involved with this program. RICOH has pledged to plant a tree for every 10 visitors that take part in the initiative on the website, plus everyone who participates on the website will enter a drawing where the winner will plant a tree at Royal Lytham together with you. If you wouldn't mind talking about this program and what it means to be involved.
PAULA CREAMER: No, I think it's great that RICOH is doing this. It's wonderful that I joined the RICOH team, first of all. I'm excited to be an ambassador for them. They're a wonderful company, especially showing what they're going to be able to do on Wednesday just shows how great they truly are. Like I said, I'm going to be excited planting the tree. I've never really done anything like this before. It's wonderful to be a part of. I think it's a great initiative for a lot of companies to start doing and looking at.
DANA GORDON: How do you prepare differently each time you play the RICOH Women's British Open?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it's a totally different type of golf. You definitely have to be able to hit different golf shots than what we do over here in the States. Definitely the wind is a huge factor over there. The balls run out a lot. Basically you kind of have to work on everything.
But I think the biggest difference is the type of grass that's over there. It's much tighter. You have to be able to hit your iron shots very precise over there. Your misses can't be like they are over here in the States just because of the conditions. But the golf course is a great test of golf. There's some really good holes out there that you just have to take your pars. I've been working on controlling my ball flight because of the wind.
DANA GORDON: We'll now open it up to questions.
Q. I played the course yesterday. You mentioned the wind. There are also 203 bunkers on the course and the rough is pretty fierce. How different is it to your week in, week out courses that you play on the U.S. tour coming over here, and what challenges does that present?
PAULA CREAMER: Just like what you said. I mean, we don't play golf courses with that many bunkers. However, I felt like I was living in the sand last week at the Open. I think I've had my fair share of practice for bunkers.
Most of the time when you get those golf courses over in England, whatnot, Europe, you have to be very accurate off the tee. If you find a bunker in the fairway, there's no other choice. You have to just try to kind of hit it out and save your par. However, being accurate off the tee, you need to be pretty long so you can be able to hit wedge, low irons into greens.
Q. Last week I did a story on Mariko Tumangan, a 15‑year‑old here in San Jose. She got to play a practice round with you before the Open.
PAULA CREAMER: Who did you say?
Q. Mariko Tumangan. I was wondering if you could give me your impressions of her specifically. And generally there are 25 girls out there in their teens playing at the U.S. Open, what it's like to have that much of an infusion at a major championship of young talent.
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, it was nice playing a practice round with her. She's a very nice girl. Has a lot of talent. I think everybody has seen that women's golf is getting younger and younger. There are more teenagers out there. There were a lot of amateurs that were in the field. I think, what was it, 30 odd. It just shows there's so many opportunities for girls golf right now to getting involved. I think it's pretty neat that women's golf is going that way.
However, it is the U.S. Open. I mean, I don't remember ever playing in the U.S. Open when I was 14, 15. I know I played with Cindy Feng, also, who is the youngest one at the Open. I was just really getting into golf, and here she is playing in the U.S. Open. I think it's quite a big step for women's golf, though.
Q. Obviously it's a bit different for you coming over to the northwest. You travel widely across the world. This being a major tournament, how is the week going to play out for you? Are you going to hire a house? Are you going to get a chance to have a look around the local area?
PAULA CREAMER: No, I will rent a house out that week. I always like to sightsee and try and do as much as I can. It is a very busy week. You want to get your rest, things like that. But at the same time it's a pretty cool area. I had a lot of fun last time I went there, so I'm looking forward to going back, kind of just revisiting new things.
Q. Which players do you think will be up there competing at the Open?
PAULA CREAMER: Which players?
Q. Yes.
PAULA CREAMER: That's the greatest thing about the British Open, you know, you just never know. Conditions suit different people's games over there. If it's firm and fast or if it's very windy and raining, it's a totally different game. I don't think you can just say one person. It really depends on what's going to happen and how the course plays.
DANA GORDON: Paula, about last year's RICOH Women's British Open, you tied for ninth. Is there one thing that stands out the most from last year's championship?
PAULA CREAMER: It was a great golf course. You know, I wish one of the days I would have played a little bit better to have been more in contention. But I had a great week. The golf course was wonderful. The people there were great. We played in different kinds of weather, that's for sure. I didn't hit the ball as well as I would have liked to last year, so I'm hoping going into this one I can really just give myself a chance to win.
I think it's kind of nice that we just got out of the Open so you're still I guess in that major mindset mode of being patient, and that's what the British Open is all about. Who knows what weather's gonna happen. You just have to be very patient with your bounces that you get, things like that on the golf course.
So for me, I just really want to go out and play four good days of golf and hopefully I can be right in contention.
Q. At the U.S. Open, I know you were asked about trying to win majors, that being a focus, not having won one yet. You went out and had a really good week at the Open. You had one round that was kind of higher. Was it just that one day? Is that all that's keeping you from breaking through and winning that first major? What is your take on that one rough round you had?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, yes, I mean, if you look back at the last two U.S. Opens specifically, I did have one day. This year was Saturday. Last year it was Sunday. It just wasn't my day.
I really feel, though, this Open was much different than last year's. Last year's I just felt like I got in my own way on Sunday. I put a little bit too much pressure on myself. My expectations obviously were to win on Sunday, but I kind of went astray from my game plan.
This year on Saturday, it was not my day. I can't tell you the last time I hit five greens in regulation, especially when you're leading the tour in greens in regulation. But that's just golf. I learned a lot from that.
I came back on Sunday with a great round of 2‑under‑par, gave myself a top 10, tied for sixth. That's something I'm proud of, that I could come back, be positive, and move up high on the leaderboard. That's just the thing, is just putting four good rounds of golf together. You can see the difference between this year's and last year's.
Going into the British, I'm going to be aware of being patient and scoring four good rounds of golf.
Q. Having that one round in there, obviously now you're moving forward, does that just frustrate you? Does it give you motivation? How do you spin that into something positive moving forward?
PAULA CREAMER: You know, I had that horrible day. I think I lost the Open by four. If you think about it that way, it's amazing how close I really am. It might not quite look that way at times, but I really do feel I'm getting closer and closer.
You know, majors are all about experience. Yeah, it's got to be your week. The time will come. I can tell you when I'm out there practicing, I'm working hard for those majors, but it's still the mindset of every week is a tournament.
Obviously the U.S. Open is going to be the hardest one because it's the hardest golf course, it's the hardest venue, the emotions, the pressure that you put on yourself, things like that, it's much different. That's just a learning process.
Q. Until a few years ago, the British Open wasn't a major on the women's tour. Now you're playing all the great golf courses that the men do. What has that been like to have the British Open rise in stature on your tour?
PAULA CREAMER: It's very important. I think it's great that women's golf, I guess you could say we're getting the respect to be able to play the golf courses. No one is ever going to say men's golf and women's golf is the same. We all know that. It's very different. But it's still a great challenge. The golf courses are wonderful.
The great thing for me is going over to places where the fans truly enjoy watching golf. I felt every time I've gone to the British Open or majors or whatnot, the fans just truly enjoy it. And that's what you want. You want to be able to play in front of people who respect golf, and that's what you get when you go to a British Open.
Q. What is the stature of the Women's British Open in the States? Players here, it's the big one. I was just going to ask you on that.
PAULA CREAMER: The women playing in the same venues as the men?
Q. I was speaking to a player earlier, and she said it was the biggest event of her year. Would you say that or would you say the U.S. Open is your biggest event?
PAULA CREAMER: We don't have one. You can't specifically say. Solheim Cup in my eyes is a very big event. But the British Open is just pure tradition. I think that's the neatest thing about being able to go over there. With the men and their titles, for us to have a British Open, I think was one of the best things in women's golf.
DANA GORDON: I think we've covered quite a bit, so we can wrap it up.
PAULA CREAMER: All right. Thank you.
DANA GORDON: Thank you for your time today, Paula.
PAULA CREAMER: No worries. Thank you very much.
Teleconference
DANA GORDON: I'd like to welcome everyone to today's RICOH Women's British Open teleconference with Paula Creamer. It will be played July 30th through August 2nd at the Royal Lytham and St. Anne's Golf Club. South Korea's Jiyai Shin is the defending champion and Jiyai Shin is currently No. 1 on the Money List. The tournament is coming up in two weeks.
To welcome Paula, she joined the LPGA in 2005 and is the winner of eight LPGA titles. She's currently ranked No. 5 in the Rolex World Rankings, and Paula's best finish at the RICOH Women's British Open was a tie for seventh at the 2007 event at St. Andrews.
Paula, we are two weeks away from this year's RICOH Women's British Open. If you could start by telling us how you feel you're preparing for the final major championship of the season.
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, I'm looking really forward to going to this event. I've played this golf course before. I feel good about it. I've been working hard on my game, being able to actually get back into playing golf now, with my thumb injury. But it's nice to be able to have a week off, play in the Evian, being able to go to the Open rested and ready to go.
DANA GORDON: If you could tell us a bit more about your thumb, if you're feeling good, your health overall.
PAULA CREAMER: I'm feeling much better. My thumb is just something that I guess I'm going to have to kind of deal with over time. But it feels a lot better. Four days at the Open, it was no pain, just a lot of ice. Rest is the most important thing for it. But at the same time I still need to practice and work on things for the rest of the season.
DANA GORDON: This year the RICOH Women's British Open has gone green with the GIFT initiative, GIFT stands for Green Initiatives For Tomorrow, an initiative hosted by the championship on the championship website, and it encourages people to make changes in their everyday lives to reduce their carbon footprints. Paula, you are the RICOH global ambassador and are involved with this program. RICOH has pledged to plant a tree for every 10 visitors that take part in the initiative on the website, plus everyone who participates on the website will enter a drawing where the winner will plant a tree at Royal Lytham together with you. If you wouldn't mind talking about this program and what it means to be involved.
PAULA CREAMER: No, I think it's great that RICOH is doing this. It's wonderful that I joined the RICOH team, first of all. I'm excited to be an ambassador for them. They're a wonderful company, especially showing what they're going to be able to do on Wednesday just shows how great they truly are. Like I said, I'm going to be excited planting the tree. I've never really done anything like this before. It's wonderful to be a part of. I think it's a great initiative for a lot of companies to start doing and looking at.
DANA GORDON: How do you prepare differently each time you play the RICOH Women's British Open?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it's a totally different type of golf. You definitely have to be able to hit different golf shots than what we do over here in the States. Definitely the wind is a huge factor over there. The balls run out a lot. Basically you kind of have to work on everything.
But I think the biggest difference is the type of grass that's over there. It's much tighter. You have to be able to hit your iron shots very precise over there. Your misses can't be like they are over here in the States just because of the conditions. But the golf course is a great test of golf. There's some really good holes out there that you just have to take your pars. I've been working on controlling my ball flight because of the wind.
DANA GORDON: We'll now open it up to questions.
Q. I played the course yesterday. You mentioned the wind. There are also 203 bunkers on the course and the rough is pretty fierce. How different is it to your week in, week out courses that you play on the U.S. tour coming over here, and what challenges does that present?
PAULA CREAMER: Just like what you said. I mean, we don't play golf courses with that many bunkers. However, I felt like I was living in the sand last week at the Open. I think I've had my fair share of practice for bunkers.
Most of the time when you get those golf courses over in England, whatnot, Europe, you have to be very accurate off the tee. If you find a bunker in the fairway, there's no other choice. You have to just try to kind of hit it out and save your par. However, being accurate off the tee, you need to be pretty long so you can be able to hit wedge, low irons into greens.
Q. Last week I did a story on Mariko Tumangan, a 15‑year‑old here in San Jose. She got to play a practice round with you before the Open.
PAULA CREAMER: Who did you say?
Q. Mariko Tumangan. I was wondering if you could give me your impressions of her specifically. And generally there are 25 girls out there in their teens playing at the U.S. Open, what it's like to have that much of an infusion at a major championship of young talent.
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, it was nice playing a practice round with her. She's a very nice girl. Has a lot of talent. I think everybody has seen that women's golf is getting younger and younger. There are more teenagers out there. There were a lot of amateurs that were in the field. I think, what was it, 30 odd. It just shows there's so many opportunities for girls golf right now to getting involved. I think it's pretty neat that women's golf is going that way.
However, it is the U.S. Open. I mean, I don't remember ever playing in the U.S. Open when I was 14, 15. I know I played with Cindy Feng, also, who is the youngest one at the Open. I was just really getting into golf, and here she is playing in the U.S. Open. I think it's quite a big step for women's golf, though.
Q. Obviously it's a bit different for you coming over to the northwest. You travel widely across the world. This being a major tournament, how is the week going to play out for you? Are you going to hire a house? Are you going to get a chance to have a look around the local area?
PAULA CREAMER: No, I will rent a house out that week. I always like to sightsee and try and do as much as I can. It is a very busy week. You want to get your rest, things like that. But at the same time it's a pretty cool area. I had a lot of fun last time I went there, so I'm looking forward to going back, kind of just revisiting new things.
Q. Which players do you think will be up there competing at the Open?
PAULA CREAMER: Which players?
Q. Yes.
PAULA CREAMER: That's the greatest thing about the British Open, you know, you just never know. Conditions suit different people's games over there. If it's firm and fast or if it's very windy and raining, it's a totally different game. I don't think you can just say one person. It really depends on what's going to happen and how the course plays.
DANA GORDON: Paula, about last year's RICOH Women's British Open, you tied for ninth. Is there one thing that stands out the most from last year's championship?
PAULA CREAMER: It was a great golf course. You know, I wish one of the days I would have played a little bit better to have been more in contention. But I had a great week. The golf course was wonderful. The people there were great. We played in different kinds of weather, that's for sure. I didn't hit the ball as well as I would have liked to last year, so I'm hoping going into this one I can really just give myself a chance to win.
I think it's kind of nice that we just got out of the Open so you're still I guess in that major mindset mode of being patient, and that's what the British Open is all about. Who knows what weather's gonna happen. You just have to be very patient with your bounces that you get, things like that on the golf course.
So for me, I just really want to go out and play four good days of golf and hopefully I can be right in contention.
Q. At the U.S. Open, I know you were asked about trying to win majors, that being a focus, not having won one yet. You went out and had a really good week at the Open. You had one round that was kind of higher. Was it just that one day? Is that all that's keeping you from breaking through and winning that first major? What is your take on that one rough round you had?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, yes, I mean, if you look back at the last two U.S. Opens specifically, I did have one day. This year was Saturday. Last year it was Sunday. It just wasn't my day.
I really feel, though, this Open was much different than last year's. Last year's I just felt like I got in my own way on Sunday. I put a little bit too much pressure on myself. My expectations obviously were to win on Sunday, but I kind of went astray from my game plan.
This year on Saturday, it was not my day. I can't tell you the last time I hit five greens in regulation, especially when you're leading the tour in greens in regulation. But that's just golf. I learned a lot from that.
I came back on Sunday with a great round of 2‑under‑par, gave myself a top 10, tied for sixth. That's something I'm proud of, that I could come back, be positive, and move up high on the leaderboard. That's just the thing, is just putting four good rounds of golf together. You can see the difference between this year's and last year's.
Going into the British, I'm going to be aware of being patient and scoring four good rounds of golf.
Q. Having that one round in there, obviously now you're moving forward, does that just frustrate you? Does it give you motivation? How do you spin that into something positive moving forward?
PAULA CREAMER: You know, I had that horrible day. I think I lost the Open by four. If you think about it that way, it's amazing how close I really am. It might not quite look that way at times, but I really do feel I'm getting closer and closer.
You know, majors are all about experience. Yeah, it's got to be your week. The time will come. I can tell you when I'm out there practicing, I'm working hard for those majors, but it's still the mindset of every week is a tournament.
Obviously the U.S. Open is going to be the hardest one because it's the hardest golf course, it's the hardest venue, the emotions, the pressure that you put on yourself, things like that, it's much different. That's just a learning process.
Q. Until a few years ago, the British Open wasn't a major on the women's tour. Now you're playing all the great golf courses that the men do. What has that been like to have the British Open rise in stature on your tour?
PAULA CREAMER: It's very important. I think it's great that women's golf, I guess you could say we're getting the respect to be able to play the golf courses. No one is ever going to say men's golf and women's golf is the same. We all know that. It's very different. But it's still a great challenge. The golf courses are wonderful.
The great thing for me is going over to places where the fans truly enjoy watching golf. I felt every time I've gone to the British Open or majors or whatnot, the fans just truly enjoy it. And that's what you want. You want to be able to play in front of people who respect golf, and that's what you get when you go to a British Open.
Q. What is the stature of the Women's British Open in the States? Players here, it's the big one. I was just going to ask you on that.
PAULA CREAMER: The women playing in the same venues as the men?
Q. I was speaking to a player earlier, and she said it was the biggest event of her year. Would you say that or would you say the U.S. Open is your biggest event?
PAULA CREAMER: We don't have one. You can't specifically say. Solheim Cup in my eyes is a very big event. But the British Open is just pure tradition. I think that's the neatest thing about being able to go over there. With the men and their titles, for us to have a British Open, I think was one of the best things in women's golf.
DANA GORDON: I think we've covered quite a bit, so we can wrap it up.
PAULA CREAMER: All right. Thank you.
DANA GORDON: Thank you for your time today, Paula.
PAULA CREAMER: No worries. Thank you very much.
GOLF EVENTS 2009
July 24--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 26--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 845-887-4734.
July 26--Roscoe Kiwanis Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 31--Commissioners Cup Championship Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 2--Prasad Golf Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620
Aug. 7-9 Sullivan County Democrat Two-Man Better Ball Tournament, Villa Roma Country Club
Aug. 9--Art Tursi Memorial Tournament. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Aug. 16--Roscoe Firemen Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Aug. 15--Night Golf. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Aug. 16--Jeff Lions Club Tournament. Swan lake Golf & Coutry Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 23--Sheriff Mike Schiff Golf Tournament. Swan Lake Golf Club. Information please call 845-292-0323
Aug. 30--Kutchers Outing. Swan Lake Golf & Country /Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 6--Steak Bake Tournament. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Sept. 12--Trevor Simpson Memorial Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 20--Methol Hunting Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Sept. 20--Community Unity Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Oct. 4--The Hammer Invitational--Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
July 24--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 26--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 845-887-4734.
July 26--Roscoe Kiwanis Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 31--Commissioners Cup Championship Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 2--Prasad Golf Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620
Aug. 7-9 Sullivan County Democrat Two-Man Better Ball Tournament, Villa Roma Country Club
Aug. 9--Art Tursi Memorial Tournament. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Aug. 16--Roscoe Firemen Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Aug. 15--Night Golf. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Aug. 16--Jeff Lions Club Tournament. Swan lake Golf & Coutry Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 23--Sheriff Mike Schiff Golf Tournament. Swan Lake Golf Club. Information please call 845-292-0323
Aug. 30--Kutchers Outing. Swan Lake Golf & Country /Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 6--Steak Bake Tournament. Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Sept. 12--Trevor Simpson Memorial Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 20--Methol Hunting Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Sept. 20--Community Unity Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Oct. 4--The Hammer Invitational--Sullivan County Golf & CC. Information call 845-292-9584
Here & There Column 7-21-09
Neversink Reservoir And Hydro Power
At full capacity the Neversink Reservoir holds 34.9 billion gallons and now in addition to supplying water to New York City there is a proposal to have a hydroelectric plant built at this location.
United States Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) last week asked the New York City Department of Environmental Protection agency to speed up talks with Delaware County Electric Cooperative regarding that group's efforts to build hydroelectric plants at the Cannonsville, Pepacton, Schoharie and Neversink reservoirs.
The plants would use water from the reservoirs' regular releases to generate electricity.
The electricity could be used for economic development or sold to provide revenues to the cooperatives members in Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego, Chenango and Schoharie counties.
Of the renewable energy sources that generate electricity, hydro power is the most often used and its accounting for 6 percent of total U.S. electricity generation. It is one of the oldest sources of energy.
We look at hydro power as the ideal fuel for electricity generation, because, unlike the nonrenewable fuels used to generate electricity, it is almost free, there are no waste products and hydro power does not pollute the water or the air.
There is some criticism of hydro power because it does change the environment by affecting natural habitats but this does not appear to be the case in regard to Neversink and the other three reservoirs.
The Neversink Reservoir was constructed solely to provide water for New York City but this new hydro power proposal brings to the table some interesting topics.
This project could have merits but we would like to see more benefits from the Neversink Reservoir hydro power project coming to electric customers in Sullivan County.
Inquiries should be made to see if this proposed project could benefit Sullivan County and its residents.
At full capacity the Neversink Reservoir holds 34.9 billion gallons and now in addition to supplying water to New York City there is a proposal to have a hydroelectric plant built at this location.
United States Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) last week asked the New York City Department of Environmental Protection agency to speed up talks with Delaware County Electric Cooperative regarding that group's efforts to build hydroelectric plants at the Cannonsville, Pepacton, Schoharie and Neversink reservoirs.
The plants would use water from the reservoirs' regular releases to generate electricity.
The electricity could be used for economic development or sold to provide revenues to the cooperatives members in Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego, Chenango and Schoharie counties.
Of the renewable energy sources that generate electricity, hydro power is the most often used and its accounting for 6 percent of total U.S. electricity generation. It is one of the oldest sources of energy.
We look at hydro power as the ideal fuel for electricity generation, because, unlike the nonrenewable fuels used to generate electricity, it is almost free, there are no waste products and hydro power does not pollute the water or the air.
There is some criticism of hydro power because it does change the environment by affecting natural habitats but this does not appear to be the case in regard to Neversink and the other three reservoirs.
The Neversink Reservoir was constructed solely to provide water for New York City but this new hydro power proposal brings to the table some interesting topics.
This project could have merits but we would like to see more benefits from the Neversink Reservoir hydro power project coming to electric customers in Sullivan County.
Inquiries should be made to see if this proposed project could benefit Sullivan County and its residents.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Golfing Highlights Column 7-17-09
Ron Schulte, left, is the new president of the Twin Village Golf Club Board of Governors. Board officers to his right include Vice President Ralph Kirchner, Secretary Bill Knipscher and Treasurer Chuck Husson III. 
Dan Baldo, retiring president of the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club.New President Takes Over At TVGC
The Twin Village Golf Club (TVGC) at Roscoe has a new Board President with Ron Schulte taking over for retiring president Dan Baldo.
Baldo chose not to continue as president after 15 faithful years but he will continue to head the clubs Greens Committee.
Baldo took over the Presidency of the TVGC Board of Governors from Monteen Elliot in 1995. Dan credits the late Fran "Rooster" Temple and his brother, the late Paul Temple for encouraging him to take an active part with the club.
Dan noted that "Rooster" had a long and dynamic relationship with the greens keepers and wanted that relationship continued. He also credits "Rooster" with putting him in contact with people who could help with questions concerning course maintenance.
Baldo noted that what made all those years so meaningful were the other eight Board Members with whom he served. "It's been an experience I have enjoyed and now look forward to seeing you all out here on the course.," Dan noted.
Sixth-year-old Ron Schulte has been a member of the Board of Governors at Twin Village since 2004 and just this year retired from 37-years of teaching at Liberty Central High School where he also coached six sports including football, wrestling, track, cross country, baseball and skiing.
Ron noted that he has a special interest in the club "because this is my hometown course and I even caddied here as a boy."
Schulte has been playing golf since a teenager and golf, hunting and fishing are his hobbies. "Golf is a common interest that I share with my two sons, Ron and Brian and whenever we get together golf is on the agenda.
The new Twin Village President currently plays in the Twin Village Monday Men's league, the Tuesday Night Swan Lake Country Club league and is a sub in the Thursday Men's league at Tennanah Lake.
Ron is also a member of the Liberty Elks Club.
Troy J. Kirchner is the club house at the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Course.
The recent changes to the course includes starting their fairways about 50 yards in front of the tee boxes instead of having them go right up to the tee box.
The course has 9 new tee signs that have the TVGC logo, hole #, par, distances to holes fromred, white, and blue, and the layout of the hole so people can visually see it on the sign.
Golfers will also notice that TVGC has designed a new logo that will be on all nine tee signs and the new logo will also be on all of the shirts in the "pro shop", on all the golf carts, on all letter heads, on all nine flags and other random places throughout the course.
Another improvement includes adding blue tee boxes and every hole will have its own red tee box as well.
The concessions is completely operated by TVGC.
A weekday special, excepting holidays, offered by the club this year is 18-holes of golf for 2 with cart for $35 but you must call the club for cart availability.
The nine-hole 2,045-yard par 32 TVGC has added several changes including some narrow fairways and adding rough where open fairways use to be. Cutting of the greens, fairways and rough and adding of a 90-degree cart policy also added to the beauty of the fairways and a better playing surface for all golfers.
The course features five par fours and four par threes. The longest hole on this course is the 349-yard par 4 ninth hole, where golfers have to remain accurate and stay away from hooking shots into a brook on the left side of the fairway. If the tees are set way back on the ninth, this also presents a very narrow entrance and tee-shot onto the fairway. A pond on the right and the small brook with soft wet marsh on the left presents a "don't make a mistake and you better hit a straight shot" from the fairway to the green.
A trap in front of the ninth green prevents the chip, bump and run shot. The need for accurate wedge shots to the green can help when going for the par 4.
One of the more difficult par 3 holes on the course is the 210-yard third hole. Again, the golfer must keep center or right to avoid going left out-of-bounds into the cornfield. There is a long trap in front of the green and if you shoot for the green on any shot, you better not go over the green or you will have a wet ball since it will lane in the small brook immediately behind the green.
In fact, this brook also runs in back of the 168-yard par 3 sixth hole and the 180-yard par 3 eighth hole, making the smart golfer lay up in front of the front edge of these greens.
The smaller size greens and pin placements add to difficult chip shots and the need for an accurate short game to score well on this course.
For all tournament or TVGC information or tee times call the clubhouse at 607-498-5829 .
The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
Use your putter. When deciding to put or not from just off the green, the first thing to remember is that anytime you can putt, do it.
Keeping the ball on the ground and using the most reliable club in your bag---the putter--is a logical and smart choice. A good putt will always get you closer to the hole than a good running shot with one of your irons.
The biggest factor is determining whether to putt or not is what lies between you and the hole. Most important is the grass surface. If the path is clear, the ground relatively smooth and the grass is short, choosing your putter is an easy choice.
Another factor to look closely at is how the ball is sitting. Remember, if the conditions are good, we want to putt the ball.
When making these putts from off the green, it is very important to keep our concentration and use good putting fundamentals.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net
Ed's Outlook
The Twin Village Golf Club (TVGC) at Roscoe has a new Board President with Ron Schulte taking over for retiring president Dan Baldo.
Baldo chose not to continue as president after 15 faithful years but he will continue to head the clubs Greens Committee.
Baldo took over the Presidency of the TVGC Board of Governors from Monteen Elliot in 1995. Dan credits the late Fran "Rooster" Temple and his brother, the late Paul Temple for encouraging him to take an active part with the club.
Dan noted that "Rooster" had a long and dynamic relationship with the greens keepers and wanted that relationship continued. He also credits "Rooster" with putting him in contact with people who could help with questions concerning course maintenance.
Baldo noted that what made all those years so meaningful were the other eight Board Members with whom he served. "It's been an experience I have enjoyed and now look forward to seeing you all out here on the course.," Dan noted.
Sixth-year-old Ron Schulte has been a member of the Board of Governors at Twin Village since 2004 and just this year retired from 37-years of teaching at Liberty Central High School where he also coached six sports including football, wrestling, track, cross country, baseball and skiing.
Ron noted that he has a special interest in the club "because this is my hometown course and I even caddied here as a boy."
Schulte has been playing golf since a teenager and golf, hunting and fishing are his hobbies. "Golf is a common interest that I share with my two sons, Ron and Brian and whenever we get together golf is on the agenda.
The new Twin Village President currently plays in the Twin Village Monday Men's league, the Tuesday Night Swan Lake Country Club league and is a sub in the Thursday Men's league at Tennanah Lake.
Ron is also a member of the Liberty Elks Club.
Troy J. Kirchner is the club house at the Roscoe Twin Village Golf Course.
The recent changes to the course includes starting their fairways about 50 yards in front of the tee boxes instead of having them go right up to the tee box.
The course has 9 new tee signs that have the TVGC logo, hole #, par, distances to holes fromred, white, and blue, and the layout of the hole so people can visually see it on the sign.
Golfers will also notice that TVGC has designed a new logo that will be on all nine tee signs and the new logo will also be on all of the shirts in the "pro shop", on all the golf carts, on all letter heads, on all nine flags and other random places throughout the course.
Another improvement includes adding blue tee boxes and every hole will have its own red tee box as well.
The concessions is completely operated by TVGC.
A weekday special, excepting holidays, offered by the club this year is 18-holes of golf for 2 with cart for $35 but you must call the club for cart availability.
The nine-hole 2,045-yard par 32 TVGC has added several changes including some narrow fairways and adding rough where open fairways use to be. Cutting of the greens, fairways and rough and adding of a 90-degree cart policy also added to the beauty of the fairways and a better playing surface for all golfers.
The course features five par fours and four par threes. The longest hole on this course is the 349-yard par 4 ninth hole, where golfers have to remain accurate and stay away from hooking shots into a brook on the left side of the fairway. If the tees are set way back on the ninth, this also presents a very narrow entrance and tee-shot onto the fairway. A pond on the right and the small brook with soft wet marsh on the left presents a "don't make a mistake and you better hit a straight shot" from the fairway to the green.
A trap in front of the ninth green prevents the chip, bump and run shot. The need for accurate wedge shots to the green can help when going for the par 4.
One of the more difficult par 3 holes on the course is the 210-yard third hole. Again, the golfer must keep center or right to avoid going left out-of-bounds into the cornfield. There is a long trap in front of the green and if you shoot for the green on any shot, you better not go over the green or you will have a wet ball since it will lane in the small brook immediately behind the green.
In fact, this brook also runs in back of the 168-yard par 3 sixth hole and the 180-yard par 3 eighth hole, making the smart golfer lay up in front of the front edge of these greens.
The smaller size greens and pin placements add to difficult chip shots and the need for an accurate short game to score well on this course.
For all tournament or TVGC information or tee times call the clubhouse at 607-498-5829 .
The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
Use your putter. When deciding to put or not from just off the green, the first thing to remember is that anytime you can putt, do it.
Keeping the ball on the ground and using the most reliable club in your bag---the putter--is a logical and smart choice. A good putt will always get you closer to the hole than a good running shot with one of your irons.
The biggest factor is determining whether to putt or not is what lies between you and the hole. Most important is the grass surface. If the path is clear, the ground relatively smooth and the grass is short, choosing your putter is an easy choice.
Another factor to look closely at is how the ball is sitting. Remember, if the conditions are good, we want to putt the ball.
When making these putts from off the green, it is very important to keep our concentration and use good putting fundamentals.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via e-mail at menges@hughes.net
Ed's Outlook
President Obama was in Moscow recently and was asked what he disliked about himself. The first Lefty replied that he didn't care for his golf swing.
"I have been playing golf lately, and I don't like my golf swing," he said.
"You probably don't have that much golf weather in Russia, but it's a game that I keep on thinking I should be good at, and somehow the ball goes this way and that way and never goes straight," he noted.
It's good to know the President is frustrated by some of the same things as the rest of us.
This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, please call Ed at 439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com
For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web site at http://bght.blogspot.com/
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