THE RIVIERA COUNTRY CLUB at Pacific Palisades has hosted the Genesis Invitational since 1926. Ben Hogan won in 1947 and 1948, creating the nickname, “Hogan’s Alley.” Also called at various times the Los Angeles Open, Northern Trust and Nissan Open, the Genesis Invitational, played in February was always the concluding event of the tour’s “West Coast Swing.”
Whatever happens this month there probably won’t be a six-man playoff to beat the one that occurred in 2001. It took place in conditions so wet the second hole of the playoff would have been declared unplayable, but 28 yr. old Australian Robert Allenby fought through the torrential rain to beat his rivals with a birdie at the first extra hole, after landing his ‘greatest 3-wood shot of my life’ approach to just five-feet.
In 1962 Jack Nicklaus earned his first prize money of $34 as a pro in the Los Angeles Open at Riviera. In 1992, The Nissan Open was the site of Tiger Woods‘ first PGA Tour event as a 16-year-old high school amateur. He missed the cut.
THEY DON’T MAKE’EM like that anymore. A plaque at Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich marks where Percy “Laddie” Lucas used his local knowledge of his home course to make an emergency landing after his Spitfire was crippled over France.
Considered one of the best left-handed players in the game, Lucas volunteered for the RAF when World War II broke out and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross after the defence of Malta in 1942. But it was a year later when returning to RAF Manston after a raid over northern France that his Spitfire was damaged by enemy fire and smoke filled the cockpit. Losing altitude, and fearing he might have to ditch, Lucas spotted the outline of Sandwich Bay and the clubhouse. Just as his engine died, he glided in keeping the clubhouse as a marker, and landed belly-up out of bounds. He recalled being very unhappy at the state of the greens and his continuing inability to hit the 9th fairway. His friend Henry Longhurst sent him a telegram next day with the words: “Out of bounds again Lucas!”
COBRA’s NEW AEROJET drivers have been receiving positive reviews. Bryson DeChambeau however, disappointed his Cobra sponsors and left their latest offering out of his bag at the Saudi International, opting instead for the Stealth 2 Plus with it’s 15gm moveable weight, speed pocket and adjustable hosel. It didn’t do him any good, he missed the cut.
AUSSIE CAMERON SMITH was enjoying a few beers with his mates on the Friday night in Melbourne because he’d thought he’d missed the cut at the Australian Open. But when he heard his 2-over total had surprisingly proved good enough to play on into Saturday, he went on the wagon for the rest of the night. It didn’t help him, next morning in Round 3 he missed the secondary cut by two shots. Back to the pub! club
JUSTIN ROSE WON the AT&T at Pebble Beach with rounds of 69, 69, 65 and 66, his first PGA Tour win in four years. Justin, always popular with his fellow golfers, received congratulatory claps on the back from his defeated rivals. Asked about LIV he said he would never criticise anyone for leaving the Tour but personally winning titles mattered more to him. Proud of the “Justin Rose Room” at his old club North Hants, founded as a ‘Gentleman’s Club in 1904, Justin says he learnt golfing etiquette from the members, who instilled standards into him as a lad and could probably have taught him to fly a Spitfire.
DON’T KNOW why the PGA Tour refuses players permission to wear shorts but allows them to play in joggers, the most ludicrous legwear ever seen on a golf course, especially with the 4” gap above the socks. I can imagine the reaction at North Hants.
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. 638 859 475 or visit https://mickthegrip.blogspot.com
