Ernie Els wins rain-soaked South African Open on 17-hole golf course
by Emily Kay on Dec 19, 2010 11:40 AM EST
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December 19 -- Lest the 2010 golf year go out on a ho-hum note, you have the South African Open, in which tour officials bounced a European Tour player after he lost his balls on a rain-soaked course with only 17 holes.
Oh, and Ernie Els hung on to claim his fifth SA Open title with a one-stroke, 25-under victory over Retief Goosen.
The 2009 Austrian Open winner, Rafale Cabrera-Bello, earned a disqualification after running out of golf balls in the second round. The Spanish golfer had shot his wad by the 11th hole, and with the one-ball rule in force, he would have had to replace any lost ball with another of the same brand by the same manufacturer.
After posting a 46 on the front nine at Durban Country Club, perhaps Cabrera-Bello just wanted to get the hell out of there, because he could have ducked into the pro shop or had his caddie retrieve additional spheres from his car. He also could have rented a ball -- again, as long it was the same type -- from a playing partner.
Had Cabrera-Bello hung around for the final two rounds, he would have played a course that weather conditions shrunk to 17 holes. With torrential rains delaying the first two rounds, organizers determined golfers would play the third and fourth rounds on Sunday.
After monsoons began anew Sunday morning, Sunshine and European Tour officials (each tour co-sanctioned the tournament) determined the par-4 fourth hole to be unplayable. So, the players dodged it altogether, teeing it up on a 17-hole layout.
Because the live-scoring monitor required a posted number for each hole, each player received a virtual par on the fourth. The figure did not count toward the final tally because officials had changed the rerouted track from a par-72 to a par-69.
“Even with four workers using squeegees on the fourth,” Euro Tour tourney director David Williams said in a statement on the Sunshine Tour website, “there is still water underfoot. If we get another downpour, the workers can’t be left at the fourth and not be available to clear other greens. In fact, we might be in deeper trouble if there is another downpour.”
Hearkening back to the country’s sordid history of apartheid, officials noted that such action was not unique. After anti-segregation protesters dug up a green on a course in play during a late-1960s’ Dutch Open, organizers abridged that tourney to 17 holes. Well, as long as they had their priorities straight.
To keep this year’s tourney on track, organizers shrunk the cut line and ordered 36 holes of golf Sunday. Instead of the top 65 scores and ties making it into weekend play, the top 50 slogged through to the finish line.
As for the leaderboard, 40-somethings Els and Goosen duked it out, with 2010 British Open champ Louis Oosthuizen four shots off the pace.
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Emily, this is not the forst time a tournament has been reduced because of weather.
What is your point ? and what has this got to do with apartheid ?
Tournaments have been shortened, but they always dropped full rounds for the field. I’ve never heard of rounds being played minus one hole. They played four rounds – the first 2 rounds had 18 holes each and the final two rounds hat 17 holes each.
The fourth hole, however, is a par 3, not a par 4.
The only thing that bothers me is the constant use of the word “monsoon”. They had heavy rain storms, but this isn’t monsoon season in South Africa. It’s sad how often the media intentionally chooses the wrong words just to make a story sound bigger.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
Not always..
There was a tournament on the European tour reduced to 16 holes. One of the commentators mentioned it, but I can’t recall which one. Personally, the more holes they play out, the better. dropping a full round is less satisfactory then what happened today.
That goes without saying. Nobody wants to see rounds dropped…except maybe the guy sleeping on the overnight lead and his caddy.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
Monsoon has become and adjective
Technically speaking it is not a rainstorm in any form, it is a season.
The word monsoon has evolved into an adjective from it’s original proper noun form for describing the weather systems of sasonally reversing winds accompanied by marked increases in precipitation. IIRC, it was originally a Hindi word that the English picked up when they colonized India and from there it migrated to be used as a descriptor for similar events in West Africa, and so on.
But then again, since language is evolving and by no means absolute, it is probably fine to describe a heavy rainstorm by using monsoon as an adjective because it paints a good picture in the mind of the reader.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 19, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
never never never
Monsoon is not now, nor has it ever been an adjective. It has become a synonym for any heavy rain storm – but it is not an adjective.
there is a difference in sitting around with your buddies saying the rain storm is a monsoon – not an adjective – and a professional writer not only doing the same thing, but doing it repetitively is not good.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
lol – it’s still a friggin’ noun – a very wet one
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
You can take that up with John Simpson, Oxfordshire, England.
As he is the Editor in Chief of the Oxford English Dictionary as well as an expert on neologisms, you may argue the point with him and make your request. Perhaps he’ll consider your viewpoint and include it in OED3 when it publishes in 2037.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 19, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
I'm assuming that Emily
was trying to find the last time a round was played minus one hole and found this was it.
The reason the Dutch Open had to be reduced by one hole was germane I suppose.
Who are you supporting for UK Sports Personality of the Year – if anyone?
Wendy....No Brainer on the UK Sports....
A tie between Wendy and Easy……:)
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
I thought it was between GMac & McCoy
but I suppose with golf getting team & captain awards, a third one for golf may have been a little greedy?
a jockey won Sportsman of the Year ?? That doesn’t seem right – I’ve watched the Olympics – it’s the HORSE that is the athlete. :-)
What kind of season did McCoy have to win the title ?
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
It's not just a season, Court
He is truly a magnificent champion jockey – 3,000 wins + jump jockey of the year every year since 1995/6, plus just won The Grand National at his 15th attempt. A worthy winner.
I guess the biggest question is – did he make Wendy any money this year ? :-D
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
Don't know if Wendy backs horses...
but she could back herself on the course…she gets enough shots :)
What? What!
Gross scores, if you please. Think it will still be matchplay in the New Year given that we haven’t actually been on the course since mid -November.
I'm doing 9 in the morning.
This time, York has escaped the snow.The ground is hard, but I have to get out there. Temps or not.
He damn well didn't
I can’t even remember my Grand National bet this year, but it wasn’t Tony McCoy ’cos he was the favourite to win (hence not an interesting bet). Have I mentioned more than 100 times my bet on Stewart Cink to win The Open in 2009. 150:1 in case you missed it.
Naa, not really...she's been kind of snarky
every once in a while this year, whilst you on the other hand m have been your old loveable self……hahahaha….STUB
What is it with you and the Germans, Wendy ? :-)
It is a historic point – and an interesting one…to me at least….though I could’ve done without that editorializing at the end of her point….but that ’s personal opinion.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
Blimey, Court - took me ages to work one that out
Could you be a little more specific about the editorializing – otherwise I have images of Ernie & Retief with their dukes up in what is not normally a contact sport? .
weren’t we talking about the point of dropping one hole from the final two rounds today ? Her editorial comment on “having their priorities straight” was either a not-funny joke, or a snide comment that didn’t need to be made.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
I agree too
I made a comment on another blog about her reference to one of our tabloids…and her using it as a source..she will have to do better than that.
Darned right – we have standards in here. Where does she think she is ? Boston ? :-D (JUST kidding Emily !)
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
It's Wayne Wazza Rooney, Wendy!
Rooney not only excelled on the pitch for Manchester United, he also was the British Champion for bedding the expensive cheap-looking tarts that most men only know of by their centerfold pictures. So when Wayne wasn’t balls into the goal, he was, uh, putting balls into the goal. Not only was he able to pull that off he kept his wife, AND he got a huge rise and new contracted from his football club too.
Rooney is certainly a man for all seasons, and is EASILY the UK Sportsman of the Year.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 19, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
Grrrrr!
But it was Sports Personality – and Rooney has none – he’s going for a fall with his representation anyway. Go My Gunners & Balls to United.
Your Gunners Enjoyed Their Trip to Old Trafford Last Week, Eh?
by Charles Boyer on Dec 19, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions
Not our finest hour, I admit
but we still have a chance to head the league. Anyway – ANYONE but Man.U!
Looks like you will be disappointed this year at the rate things are going. SAF has the Reds still undefeated in League play and they are just now coming into form. Sure, MUFC has lost one game this season, but it’s clear that SAF doesn’t give a carp’s head about the Carling Cup, if he did he would have played his first line players rather than the B and C guys.
Who knows, maybe the 2003 Gunner’s team who were never blemished will have some company in having a perfect year. It’s unlikely, sure, but betting against Manchester United in any fixture is a risky endeavor indeed.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 20, 2010 12:09 PM EST up reply actions
Charles, you clearly delight
in making us non Man Utd fans sqirm. At least you kept Rooney’s ugly mug off the pics.
LOL
I’m not that mean, Easing. I love picking on Wendy, because I know that she has passion for it, and is football any fun without fans ribbing each other?
My best friend is a Gunners fan and he dearly loved my texting him videos from the game as it was happening…the goal, and the final 10-20 seconds of the fixture, etc. I think the kicker was me singing this little ditty to him and texting THAT:
Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
Glory, glory, Man United,
And the reds go marching on, on, on…
by Charles Boyer on Dec 20, 2010 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Lol..I do understand.
I’m a Liverpool fan…and you know what that means to Man U. And I always want Liverpool to do well. But so many players cheat now, I can’t take the game serious any longer. They have to sort it out.
Oh, I know all about Liverpool
And I know the hidden meaning when you call MUFC “Man U” — LOL.
I know the history, the glory, and that The Reds are on top of the Table of Tables in England. I want to see and feel Anfield in all of it’s glory before the team builds that new stadium, as it is one of the true cathedrals of sport. Sometimes you don’t have to be a fan of a team to appreciate that their grounds are something special, and besides, being so far away it is easier for me to have some perspective and not have the intensity that you have in Britain. You might feel the same about, say, the Boston Red Sox, and not quite feel the same venom towards the Yankees that a Bostonian would. Same thing.
I also remember Heysel from when it happened, and even though I am not a Liverpool supporter I wept with all of you, and the Juventis fans too. Sport, no matter how much we love our boys and loathe our rivals is still simply sport and what happened there was tragedy in every sense of the word.
As for their future, John Henry is the best kind of owner: he puts the right people in place, gives them the means and the authority to do their job, and does not meddle until it is clear to him that he must take action. He will support the team, he will keep it healthy and he will position it to be at the top for long periods. He is not afraid of trades (our word for transfers) that will help, but he also believes in a vigorous and effective youth system. In other words, the glory will return to Anfield and so will the worry of your opponents when they consider a trip to play there. It will take a little time, because that’s how John Henry works: he believes in doing the job right and doing it methodically.
Wait and see. We’ve seen what he does here and we respect him for his work.
As for MUFC, it is truly my hope that the Glazer family sells that team. They are incompetent owners who rarely produce champion teams because their only interest is making money. Of course, all professional teams are in the business to make a profit, but the Glazers will do it at the expense of competitiveness in the long run. Their Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team is mostly an also-ran, but did win a single title in 2004. The next year they fell apart. Same story for their Tampa Bay Bucaneers NFL team, they won once and promptly went into suckage and have stayed there until this year, and this season they are only barely winners. Given time, they will ruin MUFC, and that’s why the Red Devil fans hate them…they know it.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 20, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
I'm glad Henry took over.
He seems all you have said too. I’m aware of what he did with the Red Sox. The trouble is with football, money talks. Even now, there are rumours Qatar are going to but Man U to give them credibility for their world cup coup of 2022. Henry can’t compete with that, or the owners of Chelsea and Man City.
Well, at least Charles didn't say
“The only way you’re going to head the league this year is …..
alphabetically!”
United supposedly offered Tevez a return to the Theatre of Dreams as soon as next month…I thought that hilarious, and who would who would Sir Alex transfer to make room for him? Would Berbatov be making a move, or perhaps, nooooo, it couldn’t be….Wazza himself?
Send Rooney to Real Madrid, they’ll buy any star with a 100 million quid fee, and why not give Ronaldo an old mate to cheer him on when he’s diving into the pitch?
Meanwhile, Sir Alex’s secret plan to transfer Lionel Messi from Barca and Guillermo Ochoa from Club America will come to fruition all paid for with the one billion pound annual budget the Qatar Royal Family will bestow on the team after they complete their purchase over the Christmas Holiday. SAF, always wary of January transfers, plans to spend the bulk of his budget in the summer transfer window. His plans include Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Daniel Alvez and possibly Sergio Ramos or Paolo Mandini.
(yes, that’s a flight of fancy, but is the Premiership not headed in that direction? Seems it will soon be too expensive for mere American billionaires. With Qatar royalty actively seeking a team, it won’t be long until the House of Saud joins the fray and picks up one of the Big Three, the most available of which is actually MUFC at the moment.)
by Charles Boyer on Dec 19, 2010 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Charles, you summed it all up well !
Football is in big trouble. Even Barcelona have a huge debt. There will come a time when the mega rich owners will dry up. Football has become Russian roulette.
Ochoa actually would not surprise me
Edwin Van De Saar is in his last year, and at 40, he’s had a good run at MUFC. The Reds are on the market for a new keeper, and even though I forget his name off of the top of my head, they’re seeking one from Serie A (or was it La Ligua) that is supposedly THE best emerging young player.
If they don’t transfer him in, then Ochoa might be interesting…if he is interested in playing in the always-cold Northwest in the middle of winter.
Speaking of, it is daft for the Premiership to not have a winter break. I expected it, but was pretty disappointed to not be able to watch the Chelsea-Manchester United battle, followed by a few hours of two other two fixtures that I was going to record on my DVR. Really, is it THAT big a surprise for the weather to be awful in England in December? I realize that these recent snows are not the usual bright and sunny weather the country is known for in December, but really…wouldn’t it be a tad better to take 3 weeks off around the holidays?
by Charles Boyer on Dec 20, 2010 8:29 AM EST up reply actions
It's tradition here
For fans to go to football over the holiday period. And Sky TV wouldn’t allow a break. Too much money in it, TV, pubs etc. Football at this time of the year is Huge in England..winters like this are usually rare.
I’ve been reading a few managers and club presidents who are clamoring for a break and even though it may be good marketing, all too often it makes for ugly football on torn up pitches. Not that I mind watching it, of course. It’s too early in the morning here in the US when the games are played to be out in the bars, but I do so love it when 10am rolls around on Saturdays and Sundays and the US Fox guys switch over to the Sky announcers on the ground at first kick.
by Charles Boyer on Dec 20, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
We should have a break.
but until football learns to play by it’s own rules, I couldn’t care less to be honest.
Congrats to Ernie
When he putts well, he wins.
Too bad he doesn’t putt well very often…
Can't spell "Colletti" without LOL.
I was out and about last night looking for Ernie Els. In a more than slightly desperate tone, I called out “Ernie Els, come home right now!” My neighbour called back – " He can’t come right now, he’s just eagled 14!"
Chip-n-P....If you had called
my name, I’d a come right in….and if you’d a scratched my tummy, I’d a even purrrrred !!!!…TUB
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