TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Senior-Junior Team Championship / January 22-25, 2008
The PGA of America's Winter Series is in full swing the first six weeks of each new year at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
The TaylorMade-adidas Golf PGA Senior-Junior Team Championship was held last week (January 22-25, 2008 ). It was a best-ball, stroke play event with 144 two-man teams competing over 72-holes (the field is cut to 65 teams and ties after 36 holes). With age 50 being the line of demarcation, each team features one senior and one junior.
This year's event included two LBG players: Jim Burke and Jeff Hull. Jeff is well known to visitors of this site as a Professional Contributor (golfgnome), moderator of The Bag Room, star of several videos in The Gallery and 2007 Georgia PGA Player of the Year. Jim is a PGA Professional in the New England Section and, also, the men's golf coach at Harvard University. He has been on board LBG (jrbjr6) since March 2007, and in that time, with the help of fellow PGA Professional and LBG Pro Contributor Drew Chapman (drewitgolf) has gained a solid TGM foundation. With a gentle nudge from Drew, Jim recently made the pilgrimage to SwampSouth (Orlando) where we worked together for two days the week before the tournament.
Jim and his senior partner, Mo Guttman, came out of the gate strong. In fact, their brilliant 65-64 put them in a tie for 2nd after 36 holes. Their third round 68 moved them to T3. Alas, a disappointing 73 in Round 4 dropped them back into a tie for 22nd. Still, it was a wonderful performance for a pair of Massachusetts guys whose wintertime golf usually consists of watching it on TV!
Oh, and that tie for 22nd? It was with . . . you guessed it: Jeff Hull and his senior partner, Danny Elkins. Jeff and Danny also opened strong, shooting 68-63 to garner a T9 position after 36. A third round 70 moved them to T22, where they remained after their 4th Round 69.
Congratulations, gentlemen, on a well-played tournament. We're proud of you!
You would not believe it but Jim introduces himself to me and says we are playing together the first two rounds. He said that he just spent some time with Lynn in Orlando and he was familar with me from this site. Lynn had spoken to me about him being the Harvard Golf Coach, and he wanted me to check out his equipment while we were in Orlando.
I never got to meet him in Orlando, but it was certainly enjoyable to play golf with him and Mo for two days. I even got the opportunity to check out his equipment and talk "the machine" for about an hour on the range.
Let me tell you this guy is ________ LONG!!!! He did not hit driver, only a 3wood off the tee and he was easily 30 yards by me. There was one hole he was 285 to a par 5 and he flew it to the middle of the green. Are you kidding me! Danny said he was probably close to Luke List in distance, and he led the Master's in driving distance a couple of years ago.
Anyway, Jim is a great guy with a great golf swing and a passion to get better. I am going to start looking for the 6 foot and under golf league to play in because these linebackers playing golf are starting to piss me off!
Let me tell you this guy is ________ LONG!!!! He did not hit driver, only a 3wood off the tee and he was easily 30 yards by me. There was one hole he was 285 to a par 5 and he flew it to the middle of the green. Are you kidding me! Danny said he was probably close to Luke List in distance, and he led the Master's in driving distance a couple of years ago.
Anyway, Jim is a great guy with a great golf swing and a passion to get better. I am going to start looking for the 6 foot and under golf league to play in because these linebackers playing golf are starting to piss me off!
Imperatives, they're a beautiful thing! Seriously, Jim is an exceptional talent that will only get better. When he comes to see me, he always has a pad in hand with at least a dozen challenging questions about TGM. I enjoy every minute of our time together. Watching TGM in action is a special treat .
I am going to start looking for the 6 foot and under golf league to play in because these linebackers playing golf are starting to piss me off!
Jeff,
Not to worry.
Just got a handwritten 'thank you' from Jim -- a refreshing and appreciated gesture in today's cyberworld . . . here's an exerpt:
"I got paired w / Jeff Hull & Danny Elkins in the Sr-Jr. That was a good experience. I hope that some day I am able to have as much precision as Jeff."
You want Jim'sPower.
He wants yourPrecision.
And LBG is doing its dead level best to provide both to all who would 'absorb and apply'.
Just got a handwritten 'thank you' from Jim -- a refreshing and appreciated gesture in today's cyberworld . . . here's an exerpt:
"I got paired w / Jeff Hull & Danny Elkins in the Sr-Jr. That was a good experience. I hope that some day I am able to have as much precision as Jeff."
You want Jim'sPower.
He wants yourPrecision.
And LBG is doing its dead level best to provide both to all who would 'absorb and apply'.
Golf . . .
Gotta luv it!
Jim will be able to match my precision very soon, if he doesn't already have it. I will NEVER have his power, God just didn't make us gnomes with that much horsepower.
Thankfully putting is the great equalizer. Oh yeah, I stink there as well. Back to the imperatives. As Hogan said, "I just need to hit it closer."
This process started last March 07. I have been creeping and learning from all the great posters on this site: Daryl, 12 Piece, Mike O, and Yodasluke, to name a few. At first it was like learning a new language, and I was often confused, but the more posts I read the more it made sense. Learning the yellow book is quite a progression. You think you understand and you have it, only to be totally immersed in fog the next moment. But every time I work through the fog, I feel that I am closer to understanding.
Drew, thank you; you are a great teacher and mentor. I actually found Drew on this site. I was impressed with what he wrote so I called him. His instruction is very much like his posts: clear, concise and entertaining. If you are ever in this area and want to learn, I highly recommend calling him.
Jeff, your precision is what I will strive for. For those of you that are impressed with Jeff from his videos in the gallery as I was, the in person action will floor you. Can you say:”In control of your ball!”
Lynn, I had a great time and learned a lot. You have supplied the information. It is now up to me to implement and apply what you have taught me……..of course with the help of Drew!
Lynn, I had a great time and learned a lot. You have supplied the information. It is now up to me to implement and apply what you have taught me……..of course with the help of Drew!
Thanks, Jim.
Regarding Drew and me, the 'riders' may be 1,100 miles apart, but . . .
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