Grip on Sports: Another era in golf ends as Mickelson withdraws from U.S. Open
A GRIP ON SPORTS • The U.S. Open golf tournament begins today in Wisconsin. And, for the first time since 1994, a major won’t have either Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods playing. It’s the passing of an era. Read on.
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• When you get to be my age, a lot of eras have passed by. The Paleozoic, Mesozoic … thanks and we’ll be here all week. Don’t forget to tip your waiters.
Seriously though, golf, as it always does, has evolved. Today just marks the official end of something that has been slowly happening for years.
Tiger hasn’t been Tiger since his marriage and health fell apart. His recent arrest, documented on video for the world to see, was just the latest in a series of missteps and injury-related problems he’s gone through.
Mickelson’s decision not to play today is different. He made a choice. He decided to attend his daughter Amanda’s high school graduation in the San Diego area – it starts at 10 a.m. this morning – instead of making his tee time.
He was praying for rain in Wisconsin, hoping it would delay his starting time enough he could get on a plane and arrive in time. It didn’t happen. He withdrew.
Good on him. Priorities.
There is that old saw about no one lies on their death bed and wishes they had worked more, though I’m not sure it’s really true. It still sounds right. Golf is Mickelson’s job. And he’s taking a day to be with family.
Which brings up a point or two. Why would a high school hold its graduation on a Thursday at 10 a.m.? Seems like it would make it hard on everyone involved. That is the middle of a workday after all.
And if the answer is, well, everyone who attends the school has parents that are rich enough to skip work without consequences, then there is another question. And it’s rooted in history.
I heard a story this week Jack Nicklaus, who had his own golf era, dealt with the same problem Mickelson is having by donating enough money to his kids’ school to get it to move graduate, avoiding a U.S. Open conflict. The story may be apocryphal, but it sure sounds good.
Mickelson isn’t hurting for funds – at least he shouldn’t be. I wonder if he tried the Jack plan and just couldn’t get the putt to drop.
• I’ll be listening to the golf on radio today. I know, it sounds stupid. But XM has the broadcast, I’m driving all day and it’s the best I can do. (I will also be listening to the M’s game from Minnesota, though the broadcast team will be the Twins’ group.)
At least XM’s broadcast of the Open is aimed at a radio audience, so there is plenty of description of the shots. You actually know what’s happening.
In 1985, a friend helped me lay 5,000 square feet of sod on the Saturday of the U.S. Open, and we listened to the ABC broadcast of the event. All I remember is the description of who was making … well, it went something like this:
“North is 172 yards out. He has a 6-iron. (Silence.) (A ‘thwack’ could be heard, followed by a golf clap from the gallery.) Over to Jim on the 17th.”
Ya, it was stupid. There may or may not have been adult beverages involved.
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WSU: Joe Dahl is making a name for himself in the NFL. So much so, the Detroit Lions are thinking about moving him to left tackle. … Around the Pac-12, Oregon State’s star pitcher went undrafted after news of his past surfaced this week.
Gonzaga: One more graduate transfer has decided to attend Oregon instead of GU. Jim Meehan has the story on MiKyle McIntosh’s decision to become a Duck.
Idaho: There are a couple of interesting stories out of Moscow, with Peter Harriman delving into UI’s decision to build its new basketball arena out of wood. It seems appropriate for Idaho. … The Vandals also want to sell alcohol at their football games.
Indians: The Northwest League begins tonight, with teams from Eugene to Everett ready to get going. The Indians will host Boise and we have coverage that ranges from the Hall of Fame to the ballpark and everywhere in-between, including a John Blanchette column on this era of Indians’ baseball.
Chiefs: Spokane’s preseason schedule is set.
Preps: The other day we mentioned the news of Hermiston High of Oregon joining the WIAA but Greg Lee takes it a couple steps farther with this column on what the school’s decision means. It has some far-reaching consequences. … Greg also has a feature on Lakeside judo athlete Akina Yamada (pictured), who has been really busy. … Jacob Thorpe touches base with Alex Scheurman, Drew Rasmussen’s coach at Mt. Spokane, after the Oregon State pitcher’s first-round selection in baseball draft.
Mariners: We listened to the M’s game through about the seventh inning yesterday, than watched the end from a restaurant. It was an important bounce-back victory. Dave Nichols has all the particulars in his Mariners Log and we add some links.
Seahawks: Richard Sherman has threatened to quit talking with the Seattle media. But he continues to speak his mind, and did so Wednesday after the mini-camp practice. … Michael Bennett also spoke. His comments ranged from the quarterback situation to the state of the NFL.
Sounders: The U.S. Open Cup rolled on, with Real Salt Lake upset by Sacramento, from a lower league, and the L.A. Galaxy winning.
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• Baseball season was made for satellite radio. (Or is it the other way around?) No matter where you are – as long as there isn’t a mountain between your car and the satellite – you can listen to your team. Or any team for that matter. It helps the miles roll by. Until later …