WILSON GOLF GM TIM CLARKE-The Wilson Cortex Driver. Visit Wilsongolf.com _____________________________________________________________________
The Gog Blog by Rory Spears-Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook or Linkedin and Instagram. At Erin hills in 2017.
GARY WOODLAND is the 2019 U.S. Open Champion at Pebble Beach.
For Woodland it’s his first major championship, and it’s one you had to feel was coming. Considering the way he played at Bellerive, during the PGA Championship last year. Woodland’s 13 under par winning score, was one shot better than Tiger Woods winning score, at Pebble Beach in 2000.
I must tip the cap or golf visor to Woodland, on this historic win, on one of the great iconic golf courses in the world.
For Tim Clarke, the Genral Manager of Wilson Golf, congratualtions. This type of win, can help move the momentum forward of a brand name, like Chicago based Wilson Golf. Clarke might have made the GM signing of the year, when this past winter he signed Woodland to an equipment deal with Wilson Golf.
Gary Woodland poses with the trophy following his three-stroke victory to win the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. on Sunday, June 16, 2019. (Copyright USGA/JD Cuban) Special thanks to the USGA for providing the above photo to Golfers on Golf.
Wilson Golf has been on the upswing, in the golf equipment world for the last couple of years. Because Wilson sells outstanding products, that are well priced for the average amateur golfer. And that has made a big difference.
The exposure Wilson Golf has had, from the Driver vs Driver, and Driver vs Driver 2 reality shows on The Golf Channel haven’t hurt. The current model winner “The Cortex” by Evan Hoffman is a solid product. But the exposure with Woodland strolling down the fairways with the Wilson Golf visor is visibility and exposure, that even Clarke can’t buy.
For everything Wilson Golf, I recommend visiting Wilsongolf.com. But somewhere along line, Clarke had a visit with Woodland that has really paid off. If there was any questions that Wilson Golf products can compete, with the big boys of the golf equipment industry, they have been answered.
For now Woodland is playing Wilson Irons, and they delivered down the stretch. Off the tee, in the fairway, and everywhere Woodland needed them to come through. Because of the success this week, maybe Woodland add’s more Wilson clubs in his bag, moving forward.
THE PUTT that Woodland holed on the 18th green to win the championship, was the best putt to close out a U.S. Open championship since 20 years ago, when Payne Stewart won at Pinehurst in 1999. The putt was longer than Stewarts, on a tougher putting surface. That I can attest to, having played the 18th green at both courses.
Now the question is, how big is the bonus Clarke has to pay Woodland for winning a major championship ? Whatever the number is, I’m sure it’s worth it.
BROOKS KOEPKA again showed the world, his is not only a class act, but is the hottest player in the game right now. Second-First-Second in the first three majors of 2019, makes him player of the year. Right here-Right now. Koepka gave it all he had, in trying to match Willie Anderson, for three straight U.S. Open wins.
When Koepka went four under par through the first five holes, the golf viewing audience locked in for a historic battle to the finish. Justin Rose was in that battle for a while, until too many up and downs didn’t happen from various bunkers, so ended his chances.
AFTER SHOOTING the same score for three rounds. Charlie Danielson (Illinois), and Luke Donald (Northwestern), were paired together Sunday. Illinois gets the win, because Danielson carded a 1 under par 70. While Donald closed out with, a 2-over par 73.
THREE FORMER ILLINI missed the 36-hole cut. Nick Hardy 1 by shot at +3, and Luke Guthrie and Thomas Pieters by several shots more. Evans Scholars Invitational winner Scottie Sheffler, missed the cut by 2 shots.
SO IF YOU ARE READY FOR MORE U.S.OPEN ACTION, you can visit USOPEN2020.com and apply for tickets at the Winged Foot Country Club.
Golfers on Golf will work with Wilson Golf for a strong presence on our radio show next weekend. Stay tuned.
BIG 3 PARTNER Len Ziehm has posted another travel destination story, on his Lenziehmongolf.com website. This weeks feature is on Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
THE WAS SOME GOOD give and take between Tiger Woods and his old Coach Hank Haney. Haney gave his honest opinion about the Korean influence on the LPGA Tour, and the recent Korean dominance at the U.S. Open Women’s Open. Woods came out taking a shot at Haney, some called Haney a racist. Haney apologized for speaking the truth, and then was suspended from his XM radio program. Haney responded by asking, should Woods be looked upon as an expert on women’s issues.
THIS WEEK is Junior Golf Championship Week for both the Women’s Western Golf Association in Carmel Indiana. While the WGA Boys Junior Championship is closer to home, at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. owner Jerry Rich invites everyone out for FREE, to see all the golf, played by some future stars in professional golf.
IT HIT HOME HARD when I learned of the passing of Duncan Finigan, the marketing director of OOFOS footwear. Finigan lost her 4 1/2 year battle with breast cancer on May 26th. Because of her great sales approach to me in the press room at the PGA Merchandise Show in 2017, I went and visited the OOFOS booth. What I found was the best and comfortable pairs of footwear, I had ever felt on my feet. If your feet hurt after golf, or you are a caddie on your feet all day, slip-on a pair of OOFOS. Because the name speaks to the comfort level you will feel.
THE 58TH ANNUAL RADIX CUP MATCHES, scheduled for last Wednesday June 12th at Oak Park Country Club, were halted by threatening weather. Because the clubs lightning detector went off, every time it appeared play could start. The CDGA amateur team is looking for a third straight win, in the series over the Illinois PGA professionals. So both sides are looking for a make-up date.
THE GOG BLOG returns all this week. Stay tuned. RS