‘Drive it in the fairway; stay below the hole’ offers Salem’s genial PGA pro Kevin Wood

By BILL BROTHERTON

Salem Country Club’s Head Golf Professional Kevin Wood discusses the upcoming U.S. Senior Open. | Photo: Spenser Hasak

No male golfer has ever finished under par during a USGA championship at Salem Country Club. Bruce Fleisher, the 2001 Senior Open champion, shot a 2-under 68 in the final round to finish at even par. Dale Morey, who captured the 1977 Senior Men’s Amateur at the Donald Ross-designed gem 4 and 3 over Lewis Oehmig, was medalist at 143, 3-over par.

Do proposed USGA changes go too far?

By BOB GREEN

A few months ago, the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient, golf’s governing bodies in this country and the rest of the world respectively, announced a series of proposed changes to the current Rules of Golf.

Attention junior golfers! North Shore Golf magazine and Reedy Meadow Golf Course are teaming up to
revive the Junior Golf Invitational, last held in 2014. It will take place July 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the 195 Summer St. nine-hole course.

Donnie Lyons, general manager and director of golf for the town of Lynnfield, said this is a non-competitive event for area youngsters.

“We’re looking for kids who want to have a fun day outside. Every boy or girl will get something and there will be a cookout after golf.”

Lyons said anyone age 8 to 14 can play and they don’t have to live in Lynnfield.

Kids age 8 to 11 will play nine holes; those 12 to 14 will play 18. The cost is $20 per junior.

For more information, email Lyons at del100PGA@aol.com.

1ST ROW: Merchandise on display at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show held in January at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando; A colorfully-dressed crew attending the show. (PHOTOS: Traci Edwards/PGA of America); 2ND ROW: Ed Toner of Swampscott gets ready to tee off on Middleton Golf Course’s 1st hole; Jen Dorney of Peabody and Susan O’Connor of Danvers at Middleton Golf Course. (PHOTOS: Spenser Hasak) Kevan Elliot on the green at Beverly Golf & Tennis Club. (PHOTO: Owen O’Rourke) 3RD ROW: The clubhouse at Olde Salem Greens; Dennis McFall plays the 18th at Gannon Colf Club in April. (PHOTOS: Spenser Hasak) 4TH ROW: Connor Hayes plays at Olde Salem in May (Photo: Spenser Hasak); Karen Miller, Sue Page, Lea Healey, Betty Lou Fecteau and Jane McDonald, all sporting fascinators, have Kentucky Derby Day fun at The Pub at Ould Newbury. (PHOTO: Mike Norris)

On Monday, May 22, Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead will be one of the qualifying sites for the Massachusetts Golf Association Open. The top 14 and ties will advance to the championship, to be held at Sacconnesset in East Falmouth June 12-14.

Eighty-four players will battle for two qualifying spots Wednesday, May 24 at the 18-hole sectional for the U.S. Senior Open at Kernwood Country Club in Salem. The two successful players will advance to the 38th U.S. Senior Open slated for June 29-July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody.

David Toms has filed his entry to compete in the 2017 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Salem Country Club.

The United States Golf Association has announced that David Toms and Steve Stricker, who turned 50 this year and thus eligible to compete for the first time, were among the 2,680 individuals to file an entry into the 38th U.S. Senior Open Championship, scheduled for June 29-July 2 at Salem Country Club in Peabody, Mass.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

John Daly tees off from the 17th tee during the third round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament on Sunday, May 7, in The Woodlands, Texas.

By BILL BROTHERTON

The chances of John Daly competing in the U.S. Senior Open at Salem Country Club in Peabody June 26-July 2 increased mightily yesterday, as the fan favorite won his first PGA Tour Champions title, a one-stroke victory in the Insperity Invitational in Texas.

Officials from the 38th U.S. Senior Open Championship, conducted by the United States Golf Association, recently announced that Tom Watson, an eight-time major professional champion, and defending champion Gene Sauers have filed entries as exempt players. Hale Irwin, Bernhard Langer, Olin Browne, Roger Chapman, Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Maggert, Colin Montgomerie and Kenny Perry are also fully exempt as U.S. Senior Open champions and have entered this year’s championship.

Bill Leone about to use the putting green at Gannon.

Tuesday’s sunny skies and warm (80 degrees) temperatures brought out a large group of golfers at Gannon Golf Club in Lynn. Here are a few shots of those having fun, courtesy of photographer Owen O’Rourke.