TOUR Player Brad Adamonis' waiting pays off! He is in the U.S.OPEN!!!!

With several alternates from other sites already landing spots in this year’s Open, ahead of Brad are Team New England’s J.J. Henry and Zack Bird.
With 5 alternates already having been given spots, there is a chance Adamonis could get the call.
Several factors are in play and the way the USGA operates, my ability to ‘get it right’ would be like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. So, best if we wait together until next week to see if northern Rhode Island’s favorite ‘golf’ son gets a spot in the 2011 U.S. OPEN at Congressional Country Club.
THIS UPDATE: Brad has made it! Adamonis along with Gary Woodland were the final picks by the USGA to compelte this year's US OPEN field for 2011.
What I can share from a teaching standpoint is this: In my chats with Brad, (on and off the myNEGM LESSON TEE Show), as the season has progressed, and keeping an eye on his stats, I will tell you I am very optimistic Adamonis will regain his status on the PGA TOUR soon. His perspective surrounding his steady improvement and the way he seems to be taking the normal ‘speed bumps’ of competitive golf in stride has this ‘ole teacher’ more steadfast than ever this Cumberland, RI native is on the right track.

Will he get in to the U.S. OPEN this year? We will see, but in answer to the question: Will Brad Adamonis ever play in a U.S. OPEN? My answer is a resounding YES!

Hickory Golf and Hickory Clubs Making Comeback

It was a great interview on the LESSON TEE Internet/Radio Show today with Mitchell Laurance, actor, ESPN's Billiards Commentator, all around nice guy AND devoted player of Hickory Clubs.

During our chat, Mitch shared with me his devotion to playing golf literally the old fashion way; with Hickory Golf Clubs! 

Over the past decade intrest has grown, around the world, in actually playing golf with the original equipment from hickory clubs right down to the balls used during golf's 'childhood'.  This resurgence has most definitely hooked Mitch Laurance who can occasionally be seen wearing his Kilt or a pair of Knickers as he plays a round of golf on some 'ole sod'.  But seriously, I find this a refreshing trend.

There are golf tournaments in the U.S., Austria and Scotland to name a few countries where the use of hickory clubs, period golf balls and the like have taken hold.  As an example, the 2011 National Hickory Championship is in White Sulphur Springs, WVA at the Oakhurst Club this week.  And the 2011 Austrian Hickory Championship is next week.  Also is the Seniors Hickory Texas Scramble being held at Forres Golf Club in Muiryshade, Forres Scotland on June 11th. Oh, and did I mention the U.S. Hickory Open being held at the famed French Lick Springs Resort in Indiana this year?

Louisville Golf Company here in the U.S. is one of the biggest makers of Hickory Shaft replicas of yesteryear.  In fact, Laurance tells me the club are STILL actually HAND MADE.

There are websites dedicated to this new, old,and GRAND sport.  Check out hickorygolf.com  and hickorygolfers.com as well as louisvillegolf.com which has a section on Hickory Clubs.  These are just a few sites. there are many more. 

Being an 'ole' golfer, again I found Mitchell's information on Hickory Golf fascinating and plan on looking into it more.  I am quite sure any golfer with even a little knowledge of the history of golf would enjoy learning more.

FYI:  I will put a link up the my interview with Mitchell Laurance and our chat about hickory golf as soon as I get it edited.

Cheers...and Oh, anybody know what a 'jigger' is?  And NO, it is not a shot glass....