THE CORNING CLASSIC

CORNING COUNTRY CLUB

CORNING, NY

My player this week is Kathryn Marshal

Monday: I was looking forward to the short drive from New Rochelle to Corning but the expiration of my drivers license precluded that plan. A slight detour to Youngstown Ohio, an added 400 miles, took up Sunday night and all morning today. At least that's out of the way for another four years.

Course looks good and the tight tree-lined fairways will have some players steering it all week. When your used to the wide-open spaces Corning will make you pucker a little. Heard plenty of pellets hitting the lumber already and it's only Monday.

Tuesday: Played 11 holes of practice. The course is in super shape and the greens are fast.

The annual "Talkin Jim Wilkinson Contest" was held today and yours truly came out the winner!  My 3/4 nine iron, not a skank, found it's way to a mere 18 and 1/2 inches from the cup to easily capture first place. I'll be teeing it up in next year's Dresser-Rand Monday Pro-Am as a result. Not bad for a guy who hung up the sticks a few years ago.

Kathryn was stunned to say the least. An unwritten rule during the contest is if the caddy gets inside his player's shot she carries the bag to the green. Being a good sport, Kathryn readily agreed. You should have seen it. I took her driver, a king needs a scepter, and led the way to the green. We live for days like this.

Wednesday: We were an alternate for the afternoon Pro-Am but thanks to Christie Kerr withdrawing, we got in. Played with a few politicians and most of the banter was in their milieu. Still had a good time and my tip pays for the wiper arm I just ordered.

Thursday: Shot a respectable 2 under which was directly attributed to a 70 foot tram-liner, what Kathryn refers to a monster putt, for eagle on number 5 with 4 holes to play. Managed to keep it there with a superb par on nine from under a tree.

Need to go real low tomorrow to get in the hunt. It's a birdie and eagle bonanza out here.

Friday: A double bogie on 16 put us at 2 over for the day and even for the event. I thought Kathryn was going to pop an artery when that putt missed. A double dose of Prozac may be in order.

Congrats to Michelle Estill on an outstanding round. It would be a shame if Annika won. She would be forced to come back and defend. Wink, wink.

Saturday: Cool, I take that back, COLD and breezy this morning but it's Corning and that's to be expected. Shot +1 with a snake bit putter. Too many putts with difficult reads and just couldn't find the right combo of speed and line. 

Looks like a big crowd was building for the match-up this afternoon. May be the largest this event has seen in a while. If you ever have a chance to come here for The Corning Classic don't pass it up. The whole town is in LPGA mode and this is the best spectator course we play.

Sunday: It was a perfect day for scoring but unfortunately, our game didn't make to the course. Shot 2 over and tied for 65th.

Drove all the way to Chicago and was a little dicey. Fought with 2 rain storms with the first including a tornado watch. Luckily, the traffic was light and most of the stupid drivers stayed home.

Stopped at a rest area for coffee in Indiana and witnessed an unusual sight. While waiting to pay, 5 llamas paraded past the main entrance. Apparently, their owners had to take them out for a potty break. Might have been off to a Memorial Day parade.