Holy cow, it's September 1. How did this happen? I am not ready to head into the downward slide of the golf season yet! It's funny, last night as we were playing in our weekly "Scramble Tuesday" event, it was like Mother Nature decided to let us know September was on the door step. It was hot and muggy as I left my office yesterday afternoon and my house felt like someone had left a heat lamp on all day when I walked in.
We don't golf until 5:30pm, but even then it had to still be in the 80's (nowhere near 100+ like it was in Texas recently, but we're not used to the heat up here!). But then about half way through the round the wind just died - it was still and beautiful and the sky was turning purple and pink as the sun was setting in the west. We all commented in our group how this is what perfect golf weather is like.
After watching the Minnesota Twins win in the clubhouse it was time to head home. It was then that I felt it...the heat broke and there was cool breeze...I even got a few goose bumps as I headed to my car. Then this morning I heard the weather guy say that today's morning temperature is 22 degrees lower than it was yesterday. And that's when I knew it...Fall is here.
It's always a conflicting time for me...I LOVE September golf!! The leaves changing, the crispness of the air, the smells, and a little more roll on dry days...but in the back of my mind I can't help but think that my golf days are numbered. Oh, right now I could still have two good months of playing time, but by October it's definitely time to pull out the all-weather gloves (which reminds me, I need to find those!).
Fall is also a great time if you are a golf fan. Despite Sam Johnson's dismissal of the FedEx Cup playoffs (which really irritated me!), I think it's finally starting to take hold. There isn't a runaway winner and some players, like Tiger Woods, actually need to work hard if they're going to get to East Lake and the Tour Championship (Tiger is currently sitting at #65 on the points list). I'm not sure the Tour players are all convinced that the point system is the best, but the reset before the final event, with only the Top 30 players advancing, does make it interesting since any one of the top 5 players will win if they win the Championship.
And how about Matt Kuchar's win on Sunday?! He's been playing great all year but a win had eluded him...until that awesome 7-iron on the first playoff hole at the Barclays. I gave him a standing ovation in my living room. Kuch will be on his way to the Tour Championship, but a lot can still happen in these next 2 tournaments.
With the points 5 times higher than in the regular tour season, a strong finish can jump players easily into the top 20, or even the top 5! Kevin Streelman was ranked 102 going into the Barclays and now he's 18th. Martin Laird was 95 and now is cruising to East Lake currently in 3rd.
But there are 30 guys who will get cut this week so the battle for the top 70 could be interesting. And yes, most of the guys around the cut line are probably not the ones you're following every week, but every player has a story and it might just be worth a few minutes to check out the FedEx Cup standings to see who has their playing future for the playoff segment on the line. And at the BMW another 40 guys get cut, so I can guarantee you there will be some interesting scenarios as we get to the final round there.
Once the FedEx Cup is over the Fall Series begins...these are the guys battling for the top 125 on the money list so they can keep their Tour cards and avoid Q-school. There are more great stories behind some unfamiliar names, so if you like golf, don't give up on the Fall Series!
Of course the Ryder Cup is probably the most anticipated golf event remaining in 2010. We still await the final 4 to make the Team USA squad, but regardless of who they are, buzz on the net is that Europe is the odds on favorite. I'm crazy about team play and I can't wait to see some of my favorite players representing the US in just short of a month. I'm holding out hope to see a Stricker-Kuchar pairing!!
But don't forget about Q-school! Local qualifiers will be just around the corner, and once again PGA Tour hopefuls will begin the journey that could make dreams come true.
So while Sam Johnson may be in a golf coma until the Ryder Cup, I've got to get started on my Matt Kuchar for Player of the Year campaign!!
September is a GREAT month for golf!! Enjoy the rest of the playoffs and better yet, get out and play!! I know I will!
