The PGA Tour season is beginning to wind down with the FedEx Cup Playoff series set to kick off its three-week run this weekend.
With that said, the Tour is experiencing yet another highly successful season with golf fans across the country.
It amazed me to hear that the television ratings for last week’s Wyndham Championship were up an impressive 17 percent over last year. The Wyndham is just a regular tour stop, with few big-name stars, which makes this TV rating number even more impressive.
CBS went on to say it has seen an increase in viewership in 14 of the 19 events telecast this year.
This jump in viewership has come despite the absence of an injured Tiger Woods and the ongoing battle with LIV Golf. Just a few years ago, experts were predicting gloom and doom over the future of the PGA Tour, but apparently their prospects couldn’t be brighter.
PA Amateur
The 66th Pennsylvania Amateur championship was held this past Monday and Tuesday at Williamsport Country Club, with Lancaster’s Brian Groff taking home the trophy.
There were a few local golfers among the participants, including Sinking Valley’s Artie Fink Jr., who finished in 22nd place. Fink struggled during his opening round of 80 but followed up with a terrific score of 68, tying the lowest score turned in on the final day.
Todd Homan also competed, finishing in a tie for 38th place, while Iron Master’s Ron Hinish scored a T-27 finish in the Super Senior division, with rounds of 80 and 75.
New record
Philipsburg Elks head pro Paul Fischer shared news of a new course record being set from the club’s championship tees.
On July 23, Payton Guelich shot an impressive 64 to set Philipsburg’s new mark.
Guelich’s round included one eagle, seven birdies, eight pars and two bogeys enroute to a record-setting 7-under-par 65. Guelich’s playing partners that day were Johnny Harpster and Chris Thompson.
Denis wins again
Hollidaysburg Area High School’s Crosby Denis notched yet another victory this summer by capturing the recent Isaly’s Junior Tour event at Youghiogheny Country Club in McKeesport.
Denis shot a score of 84 for a two-shot victory and followed that performance with a second-place finish in the Isaly’s Tour Championship at Nemacolin Woodlands just last week.
80 years ago
During the first week of August in 1945, Blairmont Country Club members held a benefit tournament for the family of former head pro Red Francis, who died in combat during the invasion of Normandy the previous year.
Proceeds from the benefit tournament went to Francis’ wife and 2-year-old son William. (William Francis would eventually grow up in southern California, where he earned a law degree from USC.
At 82 years old, Francis still practices law and enjoys the occasional round of golf with his grandkids.)
Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at GLTR777@atlanticbb.net.
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