Local Golf Report: The week to watch the pros whine

It’s that time. It’s the time of year everybody who swings the sticks loves.

Yes, summer is now really here, and for avid golfers, the next three months or so will be spent in agonizing mental anguish, but also, intense fun and good times.

Of course, one year ago this week, I was on the long drive from Havre to Tacoma, Washington for the 2015 US Open. It’s hard to believe an entire year has gone by since that memorable week spent at Chambers Bay, watching many of the world’s greatest golfers try and negotiate a stern, links-style test of a U.S. Open.

And, after seeing those many million-dollar golfers reduced to talking like spoiled-rotten babies because Chambers Bay was too hard, too dry, and too unfair, from the press room, and in real life, I’m very excited that it’s once again U.S. Open week.

No, I’m not excited because I’m going to Oakmont this week, though I would certainly love to be there. Instead, I’m excited to put a theory I left Chambers Bay with last year to the test. And that theory is, these guys are never going to be happy. They’re always going to complain.

Oakmont has always been known as one of the hardest golf courses in the world, and, with the way the USGA usually sets up a U.S. Open, it’s going to be a beast this weekend. However, after watching the greatest, and richest players in the world whine about fescue greens and a Scottish-links style U.S. Open a year ago, it’s going to give me great joy to see them whine about Oakmont too. And they’ll whine even though Oakmont is a return to a traditional Open venue. Traditional, meaning, an out and back layout with hazards and regular sand bunkers. Traditional, meaning regular greens and fairways, and, target golf. Traditional U.S.Opens also mean brutal rough and greens running at 13-plus on the stemp meter though, and that’s what the players will be whining about this week.

Yes, there is no doubt in my mind, golfers won’t be happy with a return to a traditional, green, lush U.S. Open venue either.

Meanwhile, speaking of traditional, there’s been plenty going at Prairie Farms lately.

Last week in ladies league action, Scharfe, Kato & Co. took home high-team honors with 25.5 points. The team was composed of Liz McIntosh, Ristina Wilting, Ginger Zanto and Lindsey Kellam. Sarah Spangler was low gross with an outstanding 37, while Susan Benner was low net with a 31.5.

In men’s league, last week marked the first night of the second half of the season.

Last Tuesday night saw Wagner Plumbing and Bing-N-Bobs tie for high team with 22.5 points each. Jeremy Jensen, on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery, fired a 2-under 34 for low gross, while Dick Hansen was low net with a 32.5.

Michelob Light was high team last Wednesday with 21 points. The team was composed of Tom Baker, Jim Kato, Tom Adams and Jim Heberly, while Kato and Jeff Jensen shared low gross, each shooting even-par rounds of 36. Barry Zanto was low net with a 31.

Finally, Prairie Farms will be busy the next few weekends with big tournaments. On Saturday, the annual Natalie Patrick Foundation Scramble will take place, and on June 25, the annual NALSF Scramble will be played. Those tournaments close out the month of June, but July has the great Rotary Week, with the Rotary Youth Golf Camp July 7-9 and the Rotary Blast on July 10. For more information on any of the upcoming tourneys at Prairie Farms, call the Pro Shop.

Prairie Farms Golf Leagues

Tuesday Night Men’s Standings

1. Bing n Bobs- 22.5

2. Dan Wagner Plumbing- 22.5

3. Hole 19- 20.5

4. Milk River Engineering (Misfits)- 19.5

5. Cowan & Son- 19.5

6. Tilleman Motor CO- 19

7. BKD Law- 18.5

8. Stockman Bank- 17.5

9. Havre Ford- 17

10.Korb Construction- 16.5

11.Northern Edge- 16.5

12.Rock Solid- 15.5

13.Vic’s Place- 13.5

14.Patrick Construction- 13.5

Wednesday Night Men’s Standings

1. Michelob Light- 21

2. S&M Construction- 19.5

3. Mariani Insurance- 19

4. Gallery Lounge- 19

5. DA Davidson- 18.5

6. Koefod Agency- 18

7. Independence Bank- 18

8. Master Sports -17.5

9. Havre Ford- 17

10.Valley Furniture – 17

11.Aarons- 16.5

12.Bear Paw Credit Union- 15

Ladies League Standings

DA Davidson- 110.5

Northern Montana Hospital- 109.5

Independence Bank- 95

Scharfe, Kato & Co.- 95

Patrick Construction- 80

Makin Waves- 77

Havre Heating & A/C- 72.5 (Bye Week)

Schubert Agency- 70

Prairie Farms- 67

Western Drug- 65.5

Rock Solid- 51