Local Kentwood Golfer Plays at 2009 Buick Open

We all love a success story.  This one is about a local Kentwood

graduate, Matthew Harmon, who was Michigan’s Mr Golf 2002-3,

went on to play golf for Michigan State University

and is now on the Nationwide and NGA Hooters Golf Tours trying

to make  it to the PGA Tour.  He got a big break this week.

  Let us tell you his story:

He was 2 under par playing his final qualifying round for the Buick

Open when his caddy (and brother-in-law) Nick, stepped into a

bunker and then raked his tracks.  Matt was in the other end of

the bunker hitting out and didn’t see what Nick did until it was

too late.  He thought it was a 2 stroke penalty.  He consulted the

officials. They didn’t know for sure either, but to be on the safe side,

assessed  the 2 stroke penalty, which put Matt at 4 under and

1 stroke over qualifying for the final  Buick Open.

 

Oh, well, another day of golf, and on to Houston, Texas  to play in

another tournament.  He was at the Minneapolis airport when he

got the call from the officials at the Buick Open.  They had received

a play cancellation and because of the penalty Matt assessed himself

(which is still in contention), they offered him a spot in the Open. 

Now all he had to do was get back to Grand Blanc and get his

clubs and equipment there – which were on their way to Houston

by this time.  He got a ticket back to Grand Rapids and drove to

Grand Blanc, and his clubs and gear arrived in time, somehow. 

 

He is performing like a champion at this tournament.  He was 4 under

yesterday and had the daily record for the longest drives.  He is 2 under

today, tied for 18th place.  This could be his very first major tournament

to place in the money.  Our local TV channel had an interview that aired

on the 11:00 pm newscast last night.  We are watching closely, this

could be his big break into the PGA events.

A few pictures I took yesterday of Matt and that other guy,  Tiger Woods

playing at Warwick Hills, The final Buick Open.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnGaCBLoiEc&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]

 

 

Did I mention I used to play with Matt and his Dad when he first started

to play golf?  He must have been 10-11 years old.  He could hit the ball

a long way even back then.  I never dreamed he would one day play on

the PGA Tour and I would be in the crowd cheering him on!

 

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Photos by Terry Westbrook

Mark Wilson, Watermark Golf Pro to "Rule" at Ryder Cup

If you are a golf addict like me, you will be watching the Ryder Cup this

weekend.

My friend and Watermark Golf Pro, Mark Wilson, will be the Chief Referee –

 The Big CheeseThe Ultimate Decider – concerning the rules of the game

of golf.  Mark, along with team captains, Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo, have

formed the “captain’s agreement,” a document that covers several

contingencies:  the sealed envelopes with the lineups, the pace of play,

 and local rules on the host course, among other things.  Mark has

officiated at the Ryder Cup before, but not as Chief Referee.

The Ryder Cup is one of the golf world’s most prestigious tournaments.

 It pits an European team and an United States team against each other. 

Europe & The United States each put together their “dream team”  to win

 the Ryder Cup.

Europe won in 2006, the United States last won in 1999, so are anxious to

reclaim the Cup.  “It elevates the game and makes each player more intense

because they are playing for the team, not themselves” says Chief Rules

Official Mark Wilson. 

                                                         

Mark Wilson, Chief PGA Rules Official Ryder Cup 2008

Mark Wilson, Chief PGA Rules Official Ryder Cup 2008

 Mark has officiated at other major tournaments, such as

The Masters, The British Open, and other PGA Tournaments since 1990.

The Ryder Cup Tournament takes place at Valhalla Golf Club,

Louisville, Kentucky this weekend.  Hurricane Ike has dumped a

storm on the Louisville area on Sunday and they are scrambling to

clear the course of debris before the first ball is teed up.  Power was

still out in the area last nite as the Ryder Cup teams flew into the airport

to prepare for the big event.  Let’s hope they have power restored in

time to put this event on the air.  Opening ceremonies at at 4 pm

Thursday EST will be broadcast on the Golf Channel. 

All of us here at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids Michigan

will be watching and keeping an eye out for our Pro, Mark Wilson,

to make a rules decision.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate   Copyright 2008 All rights reserved

Mark Wilson photo courtesy of Watermark Country Club website