Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 41

Thursday, October 14, 1999 The Arizona Republic C9 into John Davis1 A artin cart issue Teeing off KEITH TKACHUK Coyotes left wing Handicap: 8. isn't goin away Bob Goldwater, a three-time state amateur champion who is known as the "father of the Phoenix Open," didn't have any trouble explaining the dominance of club pros who won their 15th straight Goldwater Cup last week by thrashing the amateurs, 53-19. "Years ago, when we first started (1950), there were not many golf clubs in Phoenix there were not as many professionals and the amateurs won often," said Goldwater, 89. "But today, with so many professionals in the 'state, they do have an advantage. A professional is supposed to be a better golfer." With the win at Hassayampa Golf Club in Prescott, the clubs pros upped their overall lead in the series to 26-13.

Kathy Wilkes, the executive director of the Southwest Section PGA who predicted the professionals would play well in singles play on Saturday, was right on the mark as they won 29.5 of the 36 points. Bob Romero of Gainey Ranch Golf Club, a playing captain both days, made five birdies and an eagle in his match against Tucson's Jeff Peterson. "Both teams are honored to be here and each team has pride and is trying to win, but just making the team is what means most to the players," Romero said. In a finish, the Senior amateur team nearly knocked off the club pros, losing 27.5 to 26.5. Ed Smith, who just competed in the USGA Senior Amateur, and Joe Huber, the top finisher among 55 PGA pros this summer in the PGA Seniors Championship, represented the 12th and final match.

Smith needed to win all three points to give the amateurs back-to-back wins in the tournament, but Huber earned a half point by winning the 18th hole. Bill Brafford, who birdied five holes, and Herb Weber earned three points apiece to lead the amateurs. The senior club pros now lead the series 15-8-2 overall. 1 Steven G. SmithAJbuquerque Tribune Casey Martin has moved into 12th place on the Nike Tour money list, making him nearly a cinch to qualify next year for the PGA Tour.

The PGA is fighting Martin's court-won use of a cart. Don't look now, but the PGA Tour is about to face another public relations nightmare. If you glanced through last week's list of results at the Nike New Mexico Classic, it might not have seemed like a big deal that Casey Martin finished third in the event. But, in fact, it was a very big deal as it vaulted him to 12th place on the Nike Tour money list with earnings of $120,742, and just one event remaining. The top 15 players at the end of the season earn an exemption on the PGA Tour next year and, while Martin still could be bumped lower than that, it would take an improbable set of circumstances for it to happen.

He leads the 16th player on the list, Bob Heintz, by more than $12,500. That means the tour again will have to deal with the issue of Martin riding a cart during competition. Martin successfully sued the tour for that right last year, with a judge ruling in his favor under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the tour filed an appeal that still is pending. Even if the tour wins the appeal, it won't be viewed as a winner by many who sympa-1 thize with Martin's situation. The former Stanford golfer and teammate of Tiger Woods suffers from Klippel-Tre-naunay-Weber syndrome, a circulatory problem that is causing his right leg to degenerate.

The pain in his leg continues to worsen, at one point forcing him to take five weeks off this season. Still, he showed the courage and the game to finish high enough to earn his card. Last week's tournament was a microcosm of his season as Martin struggled on the front nine during Jiis final round with consecutive bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes, but then got untracked after the turn. He birdied five holes on the back nine, including four of the last six. "I needed something like this," said Martin, who had struggled with his game in cent weeks.

But you can bet that the PGA Tour didn't need it, or want it to happen. The tour maintains that its longstanding tradition of walking applies to all golfers and that riding a cart gives a golfer a physical advantage over those who walk. Martin probably would laugh at the suggestion that he has a physical advantage over any of his fellow pros. Traditionalists, including such icons as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson, support the position of the PGA Tour, which stated in court that "The walking rule is a substantial rule, expressly designed to inject stress and fatigue, and impact the outcome of the game. In an elite athletic competition, certain rules must apply everyone." What complicates the issue is the matter where to draw the line.

If Martin receives exception, should a player with some other type of physical impairment be allowed ride, and how severe an impairment is severe enough to warrant special treatment? For his part, there's no question that Martin would much prtfer to walk than ride and would give much more than the six figures paid in legal fees already just to be able walk a full 18 holes. And probably no other golfer is more physically drained at the of a round than Martin, even with the limited walking he must do now between greens and tees. Because of the degenerative nature of his condition, it's unlikely that Martin will be able to continue playing more than a few years under any circumstances, which will leave him far short of the Senior Tour, where carts are allowed. There are plenty of arguments on both sides of the issue, but the only thing that's clear is that, no matter what the outcome of the appeal, this is a no-win situation for the PGA Tour, or for Martin. Strange doings When we last saw Curtis Strange at a Ryder Cup, his slumping shoulders bore the heavy burden of a 15-13 loss to the Europeans in 1995.

Now, it appears that he will be named captain of the U.S. team for the 2001 competition at The Belfry Golf Club in Sutton Coldfield, England. The Houston Chronicle quoted several sources this week as saying Strange has agreed to be captain of the team. The PGA of America denied that it has decided on a captain, but it is almost certain that Strange will be the pick. He certainly fits the profile.

Strange has played in five Ryder Cups, will be 46 when the next one is played, remains involved with the current U.S. stars as a part-time player and ABC analyst and has received the endorsement of such players as Tom Lehman, Justin Leonard and Davis Love III. "One guy who kind of got overlooked is Larry Nelson, which is unfortunate, because it's probably beyond his time now," Lehman said. "I still think he'd be a good choice but Curtis is probably a more practical choice. "I think Curtis is very deserving.

He's won majors, he's been part of many Ryder Cup teams and is a very sharp guy. He'd be a great captain." The PGA usually looks at players in their mid-40s who haven't started playing the senior tour (Nelson has) and have the kind of Ryder Cup experience Strange possesses. Strange also is viewed as someone who can motivate players and has a fiery, competitive nature that might be necessary in light of the recent Ryder Cup controversy. Strange hasn't won on the PGA Tour since capturing his second straight U.S. Open title in 1989 and his record as a Ryder Cup player is far from stellar at 6-12-2.

His last appearance came in 1995, where Getting out: Plays every day during the off-season near his home in Cape Cod, Mass. Rarely plays during the NHL season, saying hockey comes first. Favorite Arizona course: Phoenix Country Club, where he's a member. Favorite foes: Likes to play with Dallas Drake, and likes to beat Rick Tocchet and Todd Gill. Golf fantasy: "To take a bunch of buddies to Ireland and play 36 holes a day, every day for 10 days." G-Files Willie Anderson remains the only golfer to win three straight U.S.

Open titles, which occurred early in the 1900s. Anderson won at Balustrol in Short Hills, N.J., in 1903; Glen View Club in Golf, in 1904; and Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton, in 1905. He also won at Myopia In 1901, giving him four Open titles in five years. links to the links Would-be pros can test themselves on the Internet against Jack Nicklaus and other golfers in conjunction with the TV broadcast of the Diners Club Matches in December. The 1999 Jack Nicklaus Online Golf Championship presented by Comfort Inn will feature tens of thousands of Internet golfers competing for an array of cash and prizes.

The event will begin Nov. 5 and will be played on four virtual golf courses, all modeled after real courses designed by Nicklaus. The online tournament will wrap up at the Diners Club Matches Dec. 11-12 at the Pelican Hill Golf Club on California's Newport Coast, and preliminary winners will be flown in to compete in the finals. The winner will receive $5,000 along with other prizes, and other top finishers also will receive prizes.

An entry form can be found at www.gamestorm.com and it's free. Uneven lie Everyone tends to have a pattern to their shots. A typical combination is slicing long clubs, pulling short irons, loss of distance and occasional pop-ups with the driver. If this pattern sounds familiar, you would benefit by practicing hitting balls from a lie above your feet. Find a slope on the practice tee.

Take a 6-iron and make some rehearsal swings to see where the club bottoms out. Place your ball in that position. Typically, you will have to round out your golf swing to avoid crashing into the ground. You might also try standing up taller to make a more level shoulder turn. The more rounded swing shape will help you hit shots more in the center of the clubface instead of off the toe of your club.

The clubface will also tend to rotate closed more naturally, helping to eliminate slices. You will find you make a shallower approach into the ball. If you make a steep, choppy swing, you will crash into the ground. You'll tend to round out your swing so you don't hurt yourself. Once you get a feel for this, keep the rounded swing shape and bend from the hips to play a normal lie.

There's one catch and that's your 'i si t4 to of an to he's to end grip. must order hit divots gain play That's to 3' he went 0-3 and endured the wrath of many after losing his singles match to Nick Faldo, 1-up, when Strange bogeyed the' last three holes. If nothing else, the captaincy for 2001 would give him the chance to atone for that shortcoming. 50 LPGA candles The LPGA is throwing a birthday party and, my, how it deserves one. Of the 12 members who chartered the LPGA Tour in 1950, eight living founders will be on hand Tuesday in New York to celebrate 50 years as the longest running women's organization in pro sports.

Patty Berg, Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Marlene Hagge, Betty Jameson, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork and Louise Suggs will do the honors as pioneers who had a dream that came true. They were the ones who laid the foundation, right down to running the tournaments and setting the pins, when it all began, hoping to earn a few hundred bucks for a top-10 finish. From those humble beginnings, with nine tournaments a year and a total purse of $50,000, the LPGA now has 43 events and more than $36 million in prize money. "We've come a long way," Jameson told the Associated Press. "I'm glad I could be part of the history.

I wouldn't exchange that for anything." While those living legends cleared many barriers and got little reward for their efforts, they don't mind a bit that this year a record 78 players have earned more than $100,000 and Karrie Wood is closing in on $1.5 million. "I'm not sure I would have had as much optimism that it would have lasted 50 years," Commissioner Ty Votaw told the AP. "At the time, society was not sending many signals that women could or should be professional athletes in a touring sense. "We have 50 years of history, and a foundation on which to build. The LPGA Tour has stood the test of time." So blow out the candles, ladies, with the full knowledge that, because of you, the LPGA's future has never looked brighter.

John Davis can be reached at (602) 444-8297 or at john.davispni.com via e-mail. Photos by Russell GatesThe Arizona Republic uneven lie, such as this one with the ball help you improve your swing shape. U.S. Ryder Cup captain Ben Crenshaw is among the first four PGA Tour players named to the field for the $500,000 EMC Golf Skills Challenge, to be played Nov. 15 at Wildfire Golf Club.

Peter Jacobsen, Brad Faxon and Craig Stadler also are among the eight pros who will compete in the event, which features nine skills shots. Jacobsen is a past winner of the event that formerly was played at The Pointe Hilton at Tapatio Cliffs. Tickets, which are $15 in advance, are available at Nevada Bob's locations. Jeff Lessig of SunRidge Canyon will be honored Monday as Professional of the Year when the Southwest Section PGA presents its annual awards at La Posada Resort in Scottsdale. "I'm flattered and thrilled to be recognized as Professional of the Year.

It's a great honor," Lessig said. "But there are literally hundreds of pros who do not receive the recognition they richly deserve. They are golf's true winners." Jack Carter of Stonecreek was named Teacher of the Year and Player of the Year honors went to Brett Upper of Arizona Country Club and Joe Huber of Papago. Other honorees include: Jon Vesper of La Paloma in Tucson, Horton Smith Award for continuing contributions to golf pro education; Jim Murphy of Gainey Ranch, Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award for efforts to increase awareness of PGA pros in the community; Eric Clark of Angel Park in Las Vegas, Junior Golf Leader Award; and Dave Hockett of Estancia, Dan Hammel of the TPC at Canyons in Las Vegas and Jay Pennypacker of The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain, Merchandisers of the Year. Acushnet manufacturer of Titleist golf balls and clubs, and Tiger Woods' agent, International Management Group, announced this week that the world's top-ranked player will stay with the company for at least the next five years.

Details of the contract were not released, but Woods' last contract with Titleist paid him $20 million and his contract with Nike, his clothing sponsor, was worth $40 million for five years. It was reported earlier that Nike would offer him a riew, $90 million, five-year contract, but he said during the NEC Championship in August, that the figure was inflated. "Those numbers are awfully nice," he said at the time. "I wish they were that high. It definitely would be nice They're not that high." What makes this contract different from his first with Acushnet is that it doesn't require Woods to do TV commercials or print advertisements for Titleist.

He doesn't even have to put a Titleist logo on his bag. Several companies, including Nike, are still bidding for that right. The only requirement is that Woods uses Titleist clubs. As part of the new deal, Acushnet announced that it has dropped its lawsuit against Nike. The lawsuit was filed last June, alleging false advertising and contract interference over two TV commercials, one in which Woods bounces a ball off of his wedge and another where his golf swing seems to rub off on other golfers on a driving range.

Acushnet claimed in the lawsuit that the commercials made it appear that Woods was using Nike equipment instead of Titleist. U.S. golf fans should get to see Sergio Garcia play a little more often next season. The 19-year-old Spaniard ranks 49th on the PGA Tour and plans to divide his time between that tour andthe European Tour next year. Garcia, who finished third in the Nelson Classic and runner-up to Tiger Woods in the PGA Championship, has secured his PGA card and also his European card, having won twice in nine tournaments.

"I'm not sure where I'll play most, but I wanted to get both cards because I enjoy playing both tours," Garcia said after a recent playoff victory in Germany. "I feel very comfortable in the United States, but I also want to play in Europe. It's my continent, it's where I grew up." Garcia now ranks 17th in the World Golf Rankings and 18th in world earnings for 1999. can work for you 1 Take an 8-iron and slant your shoulders with the slope. Rehearse to determine ball position and swing with the slope.

Practicing from this lie with encourage you to swing more down and turn through your shot. Let your weight (3 shift down the slope. You'll find your club wants to bottom out in different place as you learn to get a more descending blow. Practicing from one of these two uneven lies will help you get the feel for improving your swing shape. Become aware MIKE SANDY LABAUVE Special for The Republic If your grip is weak (left hand rotated too much to the left and resting in the palm), practicing off an uneven lie won't totally fix you.

You strengthen your grip, too, in to get the club to square up. Another common pattern is hitting thin shots, occasional fat shots, pushes to the right and hooks. If you these shots, try practicing off of downhill lies and from the back of on the practice tee. You'll confidence when you have to from tight lies in the fairway. Practicing from the front of a divot is like always practicing off a tee.

not practical when you have play the ball as it lies on the course. ou need to find a down slope. If you have a weak grip, practicing off an uneven lie might not help. of your shot pattern and practice the lie that will help you the most. Don't be surprised if you struggle at first.

Mike and Sandy LaBauve headline the Golf Digest Schools at Kieriand Golf Club in Scottsdale. To reach the LaBauves, call (48 922-9283. Practicing from an above your feet, will.