State Farm Classic-Springfield IL-2009

My player this week is Jin Joo Hong.

Arrived yesterday from Columbus OH. Stayed a few days at Chad’s. Watched a couple flicks and had dinner with his parents. Picked up Jin Joo through the grapevine.

What a difference the torrid months of Summer make. Walked the course today and it’s plush. Compared to our usual visit much later in the season, it’s the Garden of Eden.

Panther Creek was lit up like a Menorah last year so some extra length has been added to make it more competitive. Couple that with fairways that will not run-out as much and rough so long you can’t see the tops of your shoes, this track has turned into one heck of a test.

The final, final word? A few of the caddies were hanging out at the R&M after Sunday’s round in Corning and ran into the number three man (we think) on the Corning Inc. totem pole. His version on the Classic’s demise is that Corning requested the contract last November but didn’t receive it until April. They then had thirty days to respond but could not meet the LPGA’s demands. Like I said before, looks like an end run is needed directly to the players. By the way, the caddies told “numero tres” about my “TASE the Commissioner” post and he responded with “Wouldn’t do any good. Her shell is too tough.”

I looked up our anonymous contributor on Forbes.com and his résumé is quite impressive.

Time for a change: Along with being the last event in Corning, it was the last week for many looper/player relationships. I counted around six but there may be more.