Ohio Golf Assn: Trying A Competition Ball

Thanks to reader George for the heads on Jim Achenbach reporting in the new Golfweek that the Ohio Golf Association will provide a designated golf ball to competitors in this summer’s Ohio Champions Tournament.

A new event on the OGA schedule, "it will be an event unlike any other."

That's for sure. From the online entry form: 

The Board of Trustees of the Ohio Golf Association has decided to take a stand against the eroding playability of our old courses due to the length of the modern golf ball. The Champions Tournament will be unique in the fact that the committee will identify a golf ball for use by all contestants.

The ball to be used will be a modern ball, with specifications as similar as possible to most popular balls, the only exception will be a lower compression. The ball to be used will be on the USGA’s approved ball list.

Like a tour event, the Champions Tournament will have several stations where ball flight, distance and swing speeds will be measured and documented for the entire field. The purpose is to extrapolate information that will prove useful in the ultimate goal of identifying a tournament golf ball.

If you wish to be part of this exciting experiment, contact the OGA at: tournaments@ohiogolf.org and you may be included in what will be the most revolutionary change in tournament golf since Softspikes.

According to OGA director Jim Popa, the 36-hole event will be played August 22-23 at Windy Knoll Golf Club in Springfield, Ohio, where the Ohio State Mid-Am was played last year. The field will be comprised of Ohio club champions, city champions and local golf association champions, many of whom played the previous year's state amateur.

Alan Fadel, a one-time PGA Tour player and top amateur golfer is chairman of the OGA ball committee and says this is the culmination of several years of research and contemplation by the association.

Though no ball has been selected, both Fadel and Popa revealed that the group is close to selecting one that likely will not significantly favor clubhead speeds over 105 m.p.h. as today's balls tend to do. It will be a 3-piece ball, with a compression of around 70 with a soft cover.

Fadel says they will likely share the name of the ball maker at some point, but both confirmed that the ball to be used is on the USGA's Conforming Ball List.

In phone calls today, both Fadel and Popa emphasized that the impetus behind this project is to create a starting point for dialogue and to amass some information, but ultimately, to find a way to restore relevancy to many of Ohio's classic courses and also to deal with pace of play issues brought on by today's driving distances.

"Here in Ohio we have 800 golf courses and 25-30 just fantastic, world class older courses," said Popa. "And we can't use them anymore."

And he added, "it's time to get this game back where its supposed to be, a game of skill."

The OGA has a history of bold moves that may not exactly be popular in Far Hills (perhaps explaining why so few Ohio residents have served on the Executive Committee). 

The OGA was the first golf association in the country to endorse the use of SoftSpikes.

Could they be influencing another potentially significant trend?

Let's hope so.

Comments

[Dan D'Arrigo]

I think the OGA is taking a proactive approach to protecting the integrity of the game. In my thirty years of playing golf I have seen the game change dramically and I am convinced that some of the changes have not been for the best long term interest of the game.

[Scott S]

One thing that sprang to mind: why Ohio?
A few names popped into my head: Nicklaus, Dye, Ross (Scioto, namely)

I don't think Jack's company is making balls, but we'll hope that if they do they won't be used to avoid conflict of interest rantings.

This could spread into something of a phenomenon if, and only if, other state associations with older courses that are being left behind take notice. Michigan is not going to be one of them. Too many new courses as it is. I can't see New York going that road either, or Florida or California.

Oregon maybe, depending on how desperate they are to get a big even at Cour d'Alene.

[wp]

CD'A is in Idaho, so I don't think Oregon is THAT desperate.

[Brett]

Ohio has figured it out. Why pay millions apon millions of dollars to stretch out existing golf courses, to then find your drive has ended up in the same fairway location as it did 8 years ago, and you still have the same club into that green as before? Instead of spending boo-kooos of dollars, their going to go back to a golf ball that makes total sense from a dollar and "sense" point of view. Way to go, BIG O!

[Sean Murphy]

This is complete foolish, uncensored, opinionated "BIAS". Where's the "BALANCE"???
Maybe the OHIO GOLF ASSOCIATION arrived at their "BIASED" opinion after that 5 year study that they concluded. I believe they know exactly what is going on with todays golf balls, and are steping in for the USGA in assuring that the "Games" "Integrity" is upheld. But then again this is just my own "BIASED" opinion.

[Scott S]

Idaho, sorry. Yeah, that's me, crawling back into my midwest hole...

Sean: we understand. Calm down. We know your pains on tour are far more excutiating than the ones we have watching the nonsense that goes on via TV, but remember, we're on the same page. Don't worry.

Any hopes for this ball making an appearance at the Memorial? Maybe? No?

[Smolmania]

All I want to know is, where do I sign up?? And did you see the greens fees? $45 including a cart on weekends in season.

[JPB]

"Idaho, sorry. Yeah, that's me, crawling back into my midwest hole..."


It's OK Scott S. Usually people don't know the difference between Idaho and Iowa - seriously. So in this case your "midwestern hole" got you in the right part of the country at least. ;-)


I think it is great a state association is doing this.