Golf Digest US Open Challenge Celebs Set

by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 17, 2009 12:07 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

There's still a contest going on to determine who will play as the elected amateur in the 2009 Golf Digest US Open challenge. Remember, that's the contest where three celebs and someone elected online gets to play the setup of the US Open course - this year, Bethpage Black.

Well, the three celebs that will play with the democratically chosen winner are now set.

Golf Digest, the United States Golf Association and NBC Sports have announced that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Justin Timberlake will join Michael Jordan in the 2009 Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge.

I would replace Ben with Aaron Rodgers (GO PACKERS!).

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seeing that it's not me - I don't care !! :-)

I wonder if they approached Eli Manning, since the Open is in NY.

If the winner has a teenage daughter – he’ll be hoping for Timberlake, but I’d bet that they would love for it to be Jordan.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what does everyone think of this idea in general? There is a big reason why I ask this question.

by Fortune favors the brave(s) on Apr 17, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t care why they’re doing it. I’m tired of being bombarded by the promotional material. Are they trying to stir up interest in the general population to watch the Open? That’s not necessary, Tiger will be playing unless his leg falls off.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Apr 17, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually, they’re trying to get you to subscribe to the magazine, then watch 30 minutes of commercials when they broadcast.

Thank Tiger. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get the mag as a “member benefit.” I have no intention of watching their commercials, DVR rocks.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Apr 17, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you mean 3 celebs and one quasi-10 handicapper ? or the idea as a whole ? Seems like they are hoping for viewers with 3 celebs and one unknown.

in all honesty, I’ll look up the results to see if any of them broke 100 – but I have no interest in watching them play – but it would be a blast if I were doing it.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s exactly my thought on it. Now that Mike Davis is setting up the course, Tiger’s “can’t break 100” comment at Oakmont is moot. That was under a different administration: Tom Meeks.

by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 17, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but wouldn't you love to try ?

I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t break 100 at Oakmont – I’d be hacking out of that waist high grass too often – but I’m pretty sure I could’ve done it at Torrey and at Bethpage for the reason you bring up. The course is still tough, but more playable.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d be lucky to break 200 from those tees. 8-)

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Apr 17, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I could’ve done it at Oakmont…barely. 99.

by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 17, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My company created the original idea that was called “what would you shoot” I was a contributing editor for Golf Digest and brought this idea to them as a favor and to be honest they pushed me out. I had to get my lawyer involved and we settled on a payment to basically go away. They screwed up the idea with the Tiger comment at Oakmont. Who cares if you can break 100. The idea was just to see what non professional golfers at a US Open set up would shoot. With Golf Digest and all the media it is noun, verb, Tiger Woods. My idea was better but they not only screwed it up they screwed me!

by Fortune favors the brave(s) on Apr 17, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Were they talking about giving your idea a try ? It’s not all that unusual for great ideas to get moved to the back burner until someone with a bigger bankroll picks it up and runs with it. Glad you got some satisfaction.

How would your idea have been presented differently ? Must’ve been a good one if it got picked up for what they’re doing now.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess it depends on which game you play...

…if you go out to play your regular game – just letting it rip trying for your best score – that rough would be very intimidating.

…but if the goal is just to break 100 – and all you do is play your straightest clubs off the tee and try to play for bogies at worst, I could see it happening. That’s a 10 shot cushion, and you’re bound to par a few.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If I just took my 3 hybrid off of every tee – my most accurate driving club – I’d be in good shape to shoot 90, I think.

by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 17, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

at which course ?

that wouldn’t work at Bethpage Black – there are several holes with forced carries off the tee where some of the shorter hitting players had to go all out to reach the fairway on the other side. I don’t remember all of the tee shots at Oakmont.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Apr 17, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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