Luring the Open Doctor

Len Ziehm quotes Frank Jemsek on the bizarre mating rituals being played out between Jemsek at Cog Hill, the USGA and architect Rees Jones.

"[Rees is] already so busy doing jobs that pay him $1 million, what motivation would he have for a job that he might not want or where he might not get the work?" Jemsek said. "But he seems to be the most complimented [architect] by the USGA and the players. We'll keep on trying."

So the recruitment of Jones continues -- even though it's not a given that his hiring would bring the Open to Lemont.

"I've not been told by the USGA that [Jones needed to be hired] to get the Open,'' Jemsek said. "And if we did get him, I haven't been guaranteed that we'd get one.''

However, two friends close to the USGA and living in different parts of the country have advised Jemsek to hire Jones.

"They're people I trust, and they said that's what they've heard," Jemsek said. "I don't know if they were telling me [to get Jones] or if the USGA was telling me."

Well we know the USGA would never advocate changes to a course or recommend certain architects. Ziehm also looks at slow play on the Tour with a rundown of Tour policy. Interesting bit: Sabbatini played with Ben Crane the first three days at the Booz Allen as well. No wonder he flipped!