Word has it that Jason Gore will be among the Americans who will be made most welcome at The Hills.

The bad news is, according to the Otago Daily Times; “The Government has indicated it will not be boosting its funding for the Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open. The third and final open in the current arrangement with New Zealand Golf will be played at The Hills exclusive golf course in Arrowtown at the end of the month.”

Jason Gore, you may recall, was well in the hunt in the US Open eventually won by Michael Campbell. Alas his last round, 84 left him way back in the pack.

Jason is an example of just how tough it is to keep your card on the PGA Tour.
Last year he made the equivalent of $NZ562,000 and missed (and by a lot) coming 154th. OK so it's only Kiwi dollars but that's still a lot of money.

And while on the matter of money. Don’t believe all you read about how the Aussies appear to have avoided the fallout from the financial crisis.

This from Mark Russell and Peter Hawkins at the SMH, “Falling membership has golf clubs in the rough” Adding that ''A lot of high-quality clubs in Sydney don't have joining fees any more.''
Could be it’s a good time to visit Aussie and get some bargain green fee rates.

It’s probably only me who’s interested in the following bit of news.
I’ve mentioned that I still play with some, (6 iron to sand wedge) ancient Pings and was (financially) interested to read about how American pros are buying Ping Eye 2 off eBay.

As reported in the Golf Digest, “John Daly used a set of wedges Thursday at the Sony Open that have square grooves, even though a new USGA regulation this year requires more of a V-shaped groove…And those wedges are considered legal.”

For the record, and should you have one, and wish to try your luck selling it on eBay.
Here’s the nitty gritty if you want to give it a go.
The Ping wedges (and irons, but trust me there’s nobody prepared to pay big bucks for anything but the wedges) must have been manufactured before April 1, 1990.

On the more serious matter of changes being made to the Old Course in preparation for The Open. John Huggan of The Scotsman is interviewing  R&A chief Peter Dawson.

This is kind of (controversial) old news in the sense that the changes to the 17th, the famous Road Hole have been discussed and done to death by the wannabe golf course architects.

What's news is that it’s Scotland’s best golf correspondent who’s asking the questions.
And have to say that unlike the previous coverage, Peter Dawson’s thinking is shown in a better light.
It’s a good read for those interested in golf course architecture and the finer points of hole design.

Thought for the day: For those who don’t believe in the lengthening of the Road Hole.

As Peter Dawson reminded “Huggie”. In 1984 Tom Watson had to use a 2-iron to the 17th green-Not so nowadays.
But with the change it will once again bring the road behind the green more into play. Increasing its value as a risk/reward hole.
 

Slainte

Stan

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