Reviewing the year in local golf
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
October 15, 2009
Woods' triumph at Congressional topped a memorable season
In July, when tournament host Tiger Woods presented himself the trophy for winning the AT&T National, the area had its signature golf moment of 2009 and a memorable sendoff as the tournament leaves Congressional Country Club to make way for the 2011 U.S. Open.
Here are some other local golf story lines:
Sponsors leaving » Sponsors are fleeing professional golf and the region has not been spared. Two prominent women's tournaments, the McDonald's LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock and the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill, have lost their sponsors and will not return to the region. In addition, the Senior Players Championship at Baltimore Country Club is expected to depart after the current contract expires.
Sagging industry » When Beechtree Golf Club in Aberdeen, a former Golf Magazine top 100 course, went out of business early this year, it was a shocking development. In a troubled economy, Beechtree's land had become more valuable as real estate.
Many other local courses are feeling the crunch, including Stafford County standout Augustine. Three ambitious Jack Nicklaus designs have been effected. Potomac Landing in Woodbridge is stalled in mid-construction. The Presidential in Dulles, shuttered since September of 2008, was re-opened in May as a 10-hole public course, the 1757 Club. Private Creighton Farms in Aldie, despite rave reviews, has struggled to attract members and residents.
Players of the Year
Junior POY: Denny McCarthy » In one lights-out week in June, the Georgetown Prep junior won the Mid-Atlantic Junior on Monday and Tuesday, the Frank Emmitt Schoolboy by 14 strokes on Wednesday through Friday, and the Argyle Country Club Men's Stroke-Play on Saturday and Sunday. Later in the summer, McCarthy won the Big 'I' National Championship, then qualified for the U.S. Amateur.
College POY: Jay Mulieri » At Chevy Chase Club, the Loyola sophomore made five straight birdies to take control of the Maryland Amateur final. With his win over Zach Lese of Silver Spring, Mulieri, also of Silver Spring, joined his brother, Mike Mulieri, the 2008 Maryland Amateur champion. They are the first pair of brothers to win in the 88-year history of the event. Later in the summer, Jay Mulieri won his second straight Bubby Worsham Memorial.
Senior POY: Vinny Giles » The Richmond sports agent has made his mark representing pro golfers such as Davis Love III. But last month, when Giles, 66, won the U.S. Senior Amateur, sinking an 18-foot putt on the final hole, he became just the second U.S. Amateur champion to also claim a Senior Am title. The championship came 37 years after his 1972 U.S. Am title, a record span for USGA championships.
Best Under-the-Radar Event » The Qualifiers for the men's and women's U.S. Opens, held on back-to-back Mondays in June at Woodmont Country Club drew only 100 or so spectators, but were rare opportunities to see famous players up-close and personal. Fred Funk, after leaving Woodmont to prepare for a night at Kennedy Center, had to hustle back to the Rockville club to qualify via playoff.
