Local Golf Report: Don't feel too sorry for Jordan Spieth

Man, golf can be riveting — at least for golf junkies like myself. Even without Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy as major players, this golf season has certainly been riveting, especially for me.

Just a month after I covered the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, I was equally as captivated by last week’s Open Championship, held at the home of golf, St. Andrews. And though I had to settle for being captivated by staying up all night and watching from my couch, it was thrilling just the same and, once again, I had a personal connection to the event, as one of my distant relatives, and a great golfer in his own right, was actually at this year’s British Open.

But while I was captivated for much the same reason that so many others were by this Open Championship — and that would be, watching Jordan Spieth try to win a third straight major — the golf was fantastic, and St. Andrews certainly gnashed its teeth for much of the tournament. That made for some exciting golf, even if I wasn’t there to see it in person this time.

On the subject of Spieth, don’t feel too sorry for him. Yes, he was crushed by the fact he came up one stroke short of having a chance to win the third leg of golf’s grand slam. And, as fans, it’s so hard not to like and want him to win because he seems to be one of the most likeable and genuine athletes to come along in a long, long time, he certainly doesn’t need anyone’s sympathy.

Why not sympathize you might ask? Because Spieth is so good, so young, so talented and so driven, he’s going to win a lot of majors, and he will win more than one British Open.

He’s proven he can play at the highest level and in any major championship test he faces, whether it’s Augusta National, a brand new venue like Chambers Bay, or the birthplace of golf in St. Andrews. No, I think Spieth has already shown there is no Spieth-proof course, and there isn’t any type of weather he can’t rise to the occasion in. He’s only slightly over 21 years of age, and he’ll only be 26 the next time the Open Championship rolls back through St. Andrews. That’s scary.

Yes, Spieth didn’t quite get it done in his first trip to the Old Course, but there’s no reason to really feel sorry for him, because he only barely didn’t get it done. Spieth is 35-under par through three majors this season, and he owns two of them and finished second in the other. That’s a season the likes of which have only happened a couple of times in the history of golf. And, with how good he is, and how good he’s going to get, he’s going to win and come close in many, many more majors to come.

Meanwhile, on the home front during Open Championship week, golf leagues continued their march toward the postseason at Prairie Farms Golf Course.

Last Thursday night in ladies league, Independence Bank scored a whopping 30.5 points. The team was composed of Teresa Brown, Pam Veis, Terry Lilletvedt and Julie Mariani. Ali Ward fired a 41 for low gross, while Dawn Ward was low net with a 29.5.

In men’s league last Tuesday, Wagner Plumbing scored 23 points for high-team honors. The team was made up of Dan Wagner, Russ Earl, Dan Kiederowski and Barry Zanto. Buzz Pizzini shot an outstanding 1-under par 35 for low gross, while Tim Callahan, Larry Tilleman and Vince Scofield all netted a 28.

Speaking of low gross, my partner on my Havre Ford team on Wednesday night’s Dave Boles, carded a sizzling round of 32 with four birdies and no bogeys. It was fun to watch and was easily good enough for low gross last Wednesday night. And, if that weren’t enough, my opponent, Kevin Hoover netted a 28 for low net. Well done guys. Yummy Foods also scored a whopping 27 points for high team. The team was made up of Dave Greenwood, Tom Reynolds, Jerry Kuhn and Norton Pease.

It’s all quiet on the tournament front right now, but I did receive some official results from last month’s Natalie Patrick Foundation Scramble. G&G Farms, composed of Dan Wagner, Rodger Freier, Andy Anderson and Julie Reesor took first place honors. Tilleman Motor Company was second. That team was made up of Kevin Harada, Jim Bennett, Darrin Boss and Jacob Lorang. Wagner Plumbing was third with Lance Reesor, Lisa Anderson, Gary Baltrusch and Dennis Morse playing on that squad.

Prairie Farms Golf League

Tuesday Night Men

1. Hole 19-84

2. Bing n Bob's-80

3. Stockman Bank-79

4. Vic’s Place- 78.5

5. Patrick Construction-78.5

6. Dan Wagner Plumbing-78.5

7. Korb Construction-76.5

8. Northern Edge-75

9. Havre Muffler-71

10. Nalivka’s-70

11. Triple Dog Brewing-69

12. Rock Solid-67.5

13. Tilleman Motor Co.-66

14. Property West-66

15. Havre Ford-65

16. BKD Law-61.5

17. Hi-Line Drilling-58

Wednesday Night Men

1. Gallery Lounge-85.5

2. Havre Ford-80.5

3. Mariani Insurance-80.5

4. Yummy Foods-78

5. Master Sports -77.5

6. Michelob Light-76.5

7. Bear Paw Credit Union-76

8. Valley Furniture-74.5

9. DA Davidson-73

10. Triangle Communications-70.5

11. Koefod Agency-68

12. Independence Bank-64.5

13. Aaron's-63.5

14. Central Machine-53

15. Ruff Real Estate-48

Ladies League

DA Davidson-217

Makin' Waves-214

Independence Bank-209

Schubert Agency-195.5

Patrick Construction-186

Prairie Farms-185.5

Havre Heating & A/C-183

Scharfe, Kato & Co.-182

Northern Montana Hospital-170.5

Columbia Grain Rudyard-158.5

Western Drug-123

Rock Solid Materials-96.5