The Daly – Harmon Saga

I make it a point to never criticize fellow golf instructor, but this article needs to be written. The ongoing saga of John Daly and Butch Harmon has been highlighted in the press worldwide. Harmon released a scathing statement to the Golf Channel about firing John Daly as a student because of his erratic behavior on the tour. I always stand on this principle: Take a good look at yourself before you judge others. We all know that John Daly has suffered from the disease of alcoholism for most of his life. The problem with this disease is that it changes ones behavior and affects most of the people around us. Harmon knew about John's drinking long before he took him on as a student. So this might tell me that this relationship wasn’t born out of respect but for the notoriety that it would bring to his lesson tee. Shame on him.

Back in the day it was a great honor to coach a fellow golf professional, but it was a quiet relationship based on respect. In fact the truly great instructor is able to impart life lessons to the player to help them fully develop as a competitive golfer. Today’s instructors are riddled with massive egos as they pontificate on their knowledge of the swing. Having a press release about firing one of your students is one of the most ridiculous statements I have ever heard. Yes, there are consequences for one’s behavior, but publically airing a private affair is a sign that this pro needs to take his own inventory. He could have done more for John than simply show how offended he is with his behavior.

Looking inward, I ask myself why I feel qualified to offer my public opinion on this topic, and it is because I too suffer from alcoholism. Achieving a contented sobriety is a tough battle for the alcoholic and takes daily reflection and an ongoing commitment to not take that first drink. As I explain to all my students, in order to make progress you must have constructive change, and constructive change is difficult because it is the unknown. But, through the history of time the most courageous people have always conquered change. I hope this article is meaningful to those people who suffer from this disease.

-- Gerald McCullagh

Play and Stay at Fortune Bay

I have been going up to the Iron Range for as long as I can remember.  My earliest memories as a child include sitting in the back seat of the car with my brother and bugging my parents for four hours straight about just how long it would take to get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Virginia, Minnesota.  As a child, I was always fascinated by the Iron Range cities with their rugged beauty, abundant wildlife, and smell of pine that pervades throughout in the “Northern Woods” of our state.  This past Fourth of July, I took the journey again, only this time it was with Gerald so we could play The Wilderness at Fortune Bay and spend a little time relaxing away from the lesson tee with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Charlie at their beautiful lake home on Lake Vermillion.

The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a true delight to play.  It has plenty of elevation change, yet the bunker placement and contour of the holes lends itself to shaping shots off the tee and into the greens.  It’s a fun driving course because there is room to let her rip without ending up in a boat to retrieve the errant shots.  Once on the green however, be prepared for three putts because these babies have an incredible amount of undulation that is reminiscent of the coastal links courses of Scotland and Ireland.  The conditions were terrific despite the slow start to our golfing season, and the staff was marvelous.

One reason I enjoy resort golf is the opportunity to meet interesting people.  That day was no exception as we were paired with a fun-loving couple from Shoreview.  They too enjoyed the course and spoke favorably of the resort facilities.  While Brainerd has a long-standing tradition of fabulous golf, I have to say that the Iron Range has courses and resorts that are hard to beat.  The Wilderness has received honors from many top magazines, and its reputation is well earned in my opinion.  If you are looking for a new destination... go play and stay at Fortune Bay!

-- Dee Forsberg

The Battle of the Sexes

A contest was set at Wayzata CC in early May.  Retired lawyer Lou Oberhouser issued a challenge to former equestrian champion Armilda Harley to seek out the best male and female professional in the Midwest to partner with for a Battle of the Sexes.  The Golf Institute was called and Dee and I fit the bill (yawn!).

On the day of the match, word had traveled around the Twin Cities that the great battle was about to be played.  The fairways were lined six deep and even Johnny Miller left his broadcasting booth just down the street at Interlachen to come view this match.  The scorecards were prepared - 26 strokes to Lou and 34 for Armilda.  Thousands of female spectators started the chant on the first tee, “Let’s go ladies, let’s go.” On the tee the bets were placed amongst the players, and a British wager was settled upon that left the girls shaking their heads over the complicated male system of “byes and bye-bye bets.”

Lou was first away, looked rather bold in the Champion colors of red and black, and backed his clothing choice up with a bold rip off the tee with his mulligan.  Armilda killed her drive 125 off the tee and up the middle of the fairway and saucily stated that she wouldn’t need a mulligan.  At the end of the first, the girls took the lead as Armilda made a net eagle 2 and stated to the boys that it looked like she was the only one who came out to play!

As the match progressed, the galleries got bigger.  Lou and Armilda were halving holes in 7’s, but Armilda took the bit in her mouth and dropped another bomb on the 5th for another net 2.  I tell you, Annika better watch out!  Rounding the turn, the boys were silent over her 2 foot putts.  When asked why, Lou replied that it is hard to give putts when you are 3 down.  Tension started on the 14th hole when Armilda called a rule infraction on Lou for moving his ball out of bird droppings.  Local professional Dick Walters was called immediately for a ruling.  But at the end of the hole the match was Dormie.  I overheard Armilda ask Dee what a dormie was and saw a sly smile emerge at Dee’s quiet reply.  To complete her education, Dee also taught Armilda a cute little dittie to sing to the vanquished boys about their overwhelming odds of eventual defeat.

Lou channeled a bit of Tiger after that hole and put up a valiant effort over the next few holes.  However, the killing blow came from Dee on the 17th hole where she made a natural 2 to close out the match!  If you think the roars from the gallery were loud over at the Ladies Open, they were nothing compared to the roar that was heard at Wayzata CC.

In summary, Dee and I had the most enjoyable match that Sunday in the company of two lovely people.  Isn’t wonderful how this game can bring together players of all abilities to enjoy fun companionship and competition on a beautiful summer afternoon?

-- Gerald McCullagh

Thanks Annika

In 1993 I was a young assistant golf professional working at Brackets Crossing CC in Lakeville, Minnesota.  I was a few years out of competitive golf and working long hours at the club.  Nevertheless, I decided to take the opportunity to try and qualify for the Open that year in Denver at the International Club.  My pairing that day was with a young woman fresh out of college named Annika Sorenstam.  She had yet to win any professional titles, but her talent was evident as she worked her way flawlessly around the golf course.  She sailed through the qualifier with a smooth 69, hit 17 greens in regulation, and still putted the ball to the cup on the one green she missed.  I was impressed with her play, and I enjoyed her company that day, so I started following her name in the papers.  That year she placed in the middle of the pack, but it wasn’t long after that her career took a dramatic turn.

It isn’t often that one can follow another’s career with such a personal start.  I have enjoyed watching her achieve her milestones with hard work, determination, and incredible intelligence.  She has been categorized as shy, yet she presents herself with such dignity and poise in front of the media.  She truly is an icon and an inspiration to women’s golf.  The day she teed off with the boys in Texas, I was very proud of women’s golf.  It takes guts to get up there and tee off against the best in the world and know that your every move will be scrutinized and reviewed in front of an international audience.  I remember a man said to me earlier that week, ”Dee, why would she do that? Isn’t she afraid of losing?”  I replied that if she thought that, she wouldn’t be playing.

This is her farewell tour to golf.  She is retiring with an incredible legacy of achievements that young women will be chasing for years.  Every generation has a player that defines what the new standards should be, and Annika was that player.  She brought focus to women’s golf despite the shadow of Tiger’s dominance of the media.  As a fellow golf professional, I want to thank Annika for her time; she helped grow the game of golf through her incredible desire to achieve, and I look forward to seeing her play her last U.S. Women’s Open this week in Minnesota.

-- Dee Forsberg