Golf

Chances are if you’re a promising prep golfer or talented transfer, particularly in the state of Washington, you’ve heard from new Eastern Washington University men’s golf coach Russell Grove. Chances are if you’re in Marc Hughes’ expansive list of phone contacts, you’ve heard his requests for support in getting the Eagles’ program off the ground after a 23-year absence.

OAKMONT, Pa. – As the rain continued to fall, J.J. Spaun erupted into tears beside the 18th green – more waterworks on this wet, wet day – and one of the wildest U.S. Opens in recent years had one of its most unlikely champions.

OAKMONT, Pa. – The 125th U.S. Open has thrown everything at the best golfers in the world: rain and heat, smothering rough and slick greens, implausible lies and impossible choices. The tournament torment has been merciless, but Sunday, a bunch of unlikely contenders will report to Oakmont Country Club for afternoon tee times and try to fight back.

For decades, Bob Ross was the first to arrive at the course, greeting golfers in the pro shop with one-liners. His support for junior golf was evident as Wandermere, home course for Mead and Mt. Spokane high school golf teams, never charged players for practice rounds.

OAKMONT, Pa. – The beauty of Oakmont’s ninth green is how it’s connected to the large practice putting green slightly above it. The club’s wraparound, ivy-walled clubhouse porch looks down on a few dozen U.S. Open contestants trying to get a feel for this course’s evil, speedy surfaces while competitive play exists on the same plane.

OAKMONT, Pa. – My goodness, Robert MacIntyre was delighted. Chuffed, even. He drove it as well as he can drive a golf ball. He found fairways and avoided the thick stuff. He converted his tough putts at a steady rate. The 28-year-old Scot played golf as well as he believes he is capable of playing Thursday.

The U.S. Open returns to Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania this week for the first time in nine years. Here’s what you need to know about the tournament.

You ever hear a story so good you need it to be real?

Welcome to the 125th U.S. Open Championship, where it appears the tournament will still be contested, despite everyone wanting to hand the trophy to Scottie Scheffler already.

It should be easy to spot Brady Calkins at the U.S. Open this week.

Brady Calkins, who won the 2014 NWAC championship in his lone season on the Community Colleges of Spokane golf team, has earned a spot in the U.S. Open for the second time.

The perfect mix for Jeff Gove – surrounded by his family, son Jacob caddying and Gove competing at a Champions Tour major – made for a memorable week.

Ryan Howe’s shot at the Creek at Qualchan’s 204-yard par-3 11th got better and better the longer his ball stayed in the air. It landed about an inch from the hole and settled three inches away.

Amanda Nguyen called it a ‘flow state,’ that otherworldly place athletes often refer to as ‘being in the zone’ after effortlessly ringing up 50 points in a basketball game or a gymnast stringing together perfect 10s. For Nguyen, it was a nine-birdie, 8-under 65 jewel Wednesday that clinched the 4A District 6 individual title at Downriver Golf Course, eclipsing a 67 at Manito as her personal best.

The future is bright for the Cheney boys’ golf team. The present: Same.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Standing on the 18th green, the final putt holed, Scottie Scheffler lifted his arms above his head and smiled. Flashbulbs lit his face against the dusk. His wife, Meredith, snuggled their 1-year-old son, Bennett, in front of the nearby grandstand. Scheffler lifted the white hat off his head, and suddenly a contented man revealed the unholy drive just beneath the unruffled surface. Scheffler stepped forward, drew back his right arm and spiked the cap off the manicured grass.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bryson DeChambeau walked off the 15th green like Mick Jagger needing something to do with his hands during the “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” guitar solo. He opened his arms wide, raised both index fingers and gave a few pumps, each bringing more applause.

Try this one on, the three best golfers in the world all walk into the tee box at the 16th hole at Quail Hollow … and walk off the green a few minutes later with matching double bogeys and frustrated glares.

Idaho men’s golf, after a one-year absence, and Eastern Washington, after the program was dormant for the last 23 years, are officially back in the Big Sky Conference, which is officially back to sponsoring men’s golf.