Trying to make sense of merger

Jun 9, 2023

By Ken Love

For the Mirror

It was a wild and crazy week in the world of golf this week with the surprise announcement of a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

For more than a year, the two entities had been in an extremely tense battle over "player loyalty," "tournament scheduling," "world ranking points" and "entry into major championships."

Recently, the clash had become entangled in the courts, and the battle seemed destined to remain there for some time.

Secret negotiations, however, apparently led to the surprise agreement in which the Saudi-backed investors will now be part of the PGA Tour's governing body and will virtually own a stake in the PGA Tour.

I know I’m one of many who was shocked by the news.

The PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf was a non-stop battle over the past year, which turned extremely ugly on a regular basis. To see the two sides come to any agreement was a big surprise.

Despite the fact that I’ve agreed with the PGA tour's position from the beginning, I would say I’m relieved by the cease-fire and hope the focus can return to just playing golf at some point.

Before that happens, I’m sure there will be plenty of hard feelings between the golfers who stayed on the PGA Tour and those who jumped ship to LIV.

There's also an ongoing potential stigma for the PGA Tour with being so closely associated with the Saudi Arabia government, a real turnoff for a lot of folks.

Central Counties tourney

A large field of central Pennsylvania golfers competed at Huntingdon Country Club last weekend for the Central Counties individual and team championship.

The winner of the event's individual title was Huntingdon's own Luke Thompson, who carded rounds of 73 and 67 for a winning score of 2-under par 140.

Finishing in second place was Andy Fouse at 142, while Ryan Strickler and Dave Kyper tied for third at 143. In a show of home club domination, each of the top four finishers were members of Huntingdon Country Club.

Not surprisingly, the home club also captured the team title. Congratulations, Huntingdon.

Sunny outlook

I was really fortunate in getting to play Sunnehanna Country Club last week during the club's pre-tournament media day event.

The Johnstown-area course is in absolutely prime condition, and it's almost hard to explain how amazing it is to roll a golf ball on the historically speedy Sunnehanna greens.

After playing the course from the "up tees," which is plenty challenging for me these days, I’ll be really interested to see where the young, highly-talented amateurs hit the ball next week. I’m sure it will make me feel just that much older.

The tournament runs Wednesday through Saturday and is open to the public, at no cost.

55 years ago

During the second week of June 1968, Gallitzin native John Felus competed in the U.S. Open at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester, NY.

During the tournament's first round, Felus briefly led the entire field when he stood at 2-under par after 16 holes. He would go on to bogey the final two holes for an opening round of 70, landing him in fourth place behind Lee Trevino, Charles Goody and Bert Yancey.

Felus eventually fell out of contention in the tournament but remained on tour through the early 1970s.

He later returned home and served as head pro at Ebensburg Country Club. Felus died in 2013 at age 79.

Ken Love comments on local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at [email protected].

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