The winner of the 2023 Sergio García Cup for whiny poor me-ism is – wait for it – Carlota Ciganda (“Boutier enjoys ride of her life at Evian,” July 31 GGP).
With a performance worthy of the García Cup’s namesake, Ciganda whined about the rules officials having it in for her, whined about the slow-play rule being stupid and with a finishing flourish labeled the entire incident “a very poor performance from the LPGA rules official.”
It was truly a spectacular performance that covered all of the bases: I didn't do it … If I did, it didn't matter … and … Why is it always me? But the capper that put the García Cup away was labeling the officials as incompetent. Extra points for claiming her parents said she did nothing wrong … so there!
Congratulations to Ciganda for her well-deserved award and a performance that the LPGA hopes will never be surpassed or repeated.
Blaine Walker
St. Paul, Minnesota
I really enjoyed the two pieces about the old guys keeping at it by Scott Michaux (“98 and living large,” July 28 GGP+) and Pete Kowalski (“From rinks to links, ‘Dorny’ remains a character,” July 27 GGP+).
Both stories really interested me and have inspired me to keep on keeping on with my mountain hiking and trekking, indoor spinning, and especially with my continued attempts to resurrect, with some success, what is left of my golf game. That kind of inspiration and constantly reading and re-reading Ernest Jones’ “Swing The Clubhead” has really helped.
After many years of only a golf game or two per year and zero practice, I have been able to handily beat my age on a “real” golf course almost every time while walking and carrying my bag.
Chuck Courtney
La Jolla, California
(Courtney, a PGA of America member, played the PGA Tour in 1964-76, winning twice.)
I very much enjoyed the Linn Grant piece by Lewine Mair in Global Golf Post (“Sweden’s Grant shows much by sharing so little,” July 31 GGP).
I can’t imagine it’s easy to write an article on a golfer who likes to remain private, and I think it says a lot about Mair’s sensitivity and understanding as a writer to be able to pull it off.
Like many others, I’ve been fascinated by Grant’s arrival and ascent through the rankings of the professional game over the last couple of years.
And despite still not being an expert on such things even though I’ve been filming golf since the 1990s, she has the best swing in golf, as far as I’m concerned.
Craig Martin
Glasgow, Scotland
(Martin owns and operates We Film Golf, which provides golf-production services focused on Scottish golf.)
My wife and I were at Royal Porthcawl for the Senior Open to experience the very blustery conditions on Friday and Saturday (“No place like home: Royal Porthcawl presents its majesty for Open,” July 31 GGP). It was great to see the pros keeping the ball so low, even for short approach shots.
It’s a pity that the infrastructure isn’t there yet for an Open Championship. The course is good enough.
We’ll be back for the Women’s Open in 2025.
David Wilks
Newport, Wales
I loved watching the Senior Open at John Hopkins’ home course, Royal Porthcawl (“No place like home: Royal Porthcawl presents its majesty for Open,” July 31 GGP).
It looked fantastic and provided a stern test in tough conditions. If the weather was good, is the course too short? Who knows? But as the late legend Peter Alliss remarked about a very low winning score at the Old Course, “156 players turn up, and low man wins,” so who cares what the score is.
Toughen the rough, let the wind blow and Porthcawl can host an Open.
Greg Hayes
Enniscrone, Ireland
What a beautiful course and fun golf to watch (“No place like home: Royal Porthcawl presents its majesty for Open,” July 31 GGP).
I loved the sun-drenched pictures of the course and the sea, and the final day was exquisite. John Hopkins is a lucky guy to belong to Royal Porthcawl. Hope I see an Open there.
Art Williams
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
With all the discussion now about how far the ball goes, especially among elite players, it seems to me that there is a simple solution that does not involve limiting the flight of the ball. Stop playing all PGA Tour golf courses “hard and fast” and allowing players to roll the ball 60-80 yards. If this turns the game into “target golf,” then so be it.
As a 72-year-old who started as a caddie and has played for 60 years, I will confess to being a fan of target golf. Nothing frustrates me, and I’m sure other golfers, more than watching well-struck golf shots, whether drives or approaches, bound and end up in difficult spots.
Let’s soften the PGA Tour courses and, if a player dots the pin with a well-struck 5-iron, then he has earned the birdie opportunity. It seems simple to me.
Ron Hunter
Jasper, Georgia
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is correct in his response (“Monahan to USGA, R&A: Let’s see Plan B,” July 31 GGP).
The USGA has made many decisions over the years in which it says “it just got away from us.” Need I say “Shinnecock” more than once?
It won’t be just the PGA Tour. It will be for everyone who aspires to play it. On the proving grounds for the tour, college, what ball will they play. Will there be a one-ball rule in the NCAA?
Like some of your readers, I speak from experience, playing 70 years, with 55 of them at scratch. I hit it over 300 yards in the 60s and 70s with some regularity.
This question is better asked to the top 500 players along with those who pay – yes, pay – to watch the sport. Money, right or wrong, is talking louder than ever before.
Ted Mandes
Stuart, Florida
(Mandes, a former club pro and touring professional, is a reinstated amateur.)
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