This And That From Day One, 2017 U.S. Amateur

The world's best amateurs gathered in Los Angeles for day one of the U.S. Amateur under glorious mid-70s conditions interspersed with an abundance of agents and club manufacturers hawking their wares.

Of course, Riviera is the annual host to the Los Angeles Open, currently the Genesis Open until further notice, where the PGA Tour pros are "wusses" compared to the players who go the distance this week. From Tom Hoffarth's story for the Daily News and OC Register.

Michael Yamaki, the corporate officer or Riviera and general chairman of the U.S. Amateur Championship, said what sets this event apart from any other golf championship should be obvious, starting with the shorter window of opportunity for an amateur to play in this should he be good enough to turn professional. And, if Yamaki can be blunt, he said “the professionals are wusses … they’re only playing four days. We have to play seven straight days, plus 36 (holes) on the last day. … when you look at the Amateur, it’s really old school.”

So old school that there were almost no volunteer marshals or spotters available for the tees and fairways, leading to numerous lost balls and slow play. Woohoo old school!

At Riviera, Western Amateur champion Norman Xiong fired a brilliant 64 on day one of medal play, matched by two others as Pete Kowalski writes here for USAmateur.com. He will try to wrap up low-medalist at Bel-Air Country Club on Tuesday.

Amateurgolf.com's Kevin Cassidy has a variety of notes and points out the strong play from one of the marquee groups.

Cameras and the occasional IPhone streaming to Facebook could also be found at the 8:34 tee time with Doug Ghim, Cameron Champ, and Norman Xiong. This featured group was chirping for the cameras all day with 15 birdies between them. Champ finished up at even par (70), Ghim three-under (67) and Xiong is tied for the lead at six-under (64).

Players have been saying Riviera is playing at least three shots harder and they will be looking at more birdie opportunities at Bel-Air Country Club.

Former Angel and Mariner Shigetoshi Hasegawa qualified at age 49, and while he struggled to an 81, the retired pitcher appeared to enjoy his first USGA event. I filed this for Golfweek.

Things weren't dull over at Bel Air according to a well-known member and now part-time scribbling great...

Never heard of this b4.. At the #USAmateur today at Bel Air Wilson Furr's caddy left the bag by the lake on 8. It rolled in. ENTIRE bag.

— Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick) August 14, 2017

The player in question whose probably got his entire set of clubs drying out tonight: Wilson Furr.

Todd Mitchell opened with a 67 but did not sign his card and was disqualified.  

543 343 334 32
444 434 453 35 =DQ#SignYourScorecardKids#ItsOnMe #Unforgettable

— Todd Mitchell (@upndown24) August 14, 2017

USGA photos from day one. 

All day one scores here.

Comments

[digsouth]

I welcome dissent and support.

First a sentence of background. In every ( 2 different cities, multiple years ) city championship I have ever played in, that is, 2 different cities, you had to be from a defined area- In Austin -3 county surroundings, in Victoria, Victoria County.

So with this i submit that The US Am be available only to US, and possibly Canada and Mexico,citizens -our neighbors.

Pure and simple.

dig

[Play It Forward]

Oh dig, where did you go so far off the tracks?

[digsouth]

PIF--

I present a simple logic, and rather than tackle me in my distress, why don't you offer reasons behind this being a a poor way to go. Mind you, Play, every country could do same.

I have thought this for 20 years. It has nothing to do with anything other than order in the universe.

BTW, implication that i was ever *ON* the tracks could be quite a reveal to my wife, the lovely Kathy. 'Preciate it.

still~dig~*~ after most of these years.

[midtown East]

If we're going to count US Am. as Jack's or Tiger's majors, then it has to be open to all

[MatthewM]

Limiting entry to one of the biggest amateur events in the world, on the basis of nationality? I don't understand dig. Does the British Amateur then only become available to golfers of the UK and Commonwealth nations?

[Bill Shamleffer]

While it is common for many state and city ams to be restricted to that state or city (in some manner), the national ams of almost every significant golfing country are always open to ams from all nations. Add to the US Am, also the Western Am, the North & South Am, and the Trans-Miss Am, are all also open to all ams.

[PG]

https://www.facebook.com/USGA/videos/10155866030629369/

[digsouth]

So as I said I welcome comment. This is not my ''we gotta do it this way'' statement; it is simply a position, and not one i am compelled to support completely.

I has merit, but it is not cast in the bowels of my feeling about the subject.


''Does the British Amateur then only become available to golfers of the UK and Commonwealth nations?'' Yes IF they chose to limit entry to those nations.

Let me add another thought- and keep in mind, i am only trying to induce mental labor on this-- no one needs an epidural- just a bit of brain tease at play.


What if 2 (two, too, to, tu, tournaments were offered- a general ''Open'', and a entry specific event. The idea is simple...to see how a player is relative to the peers he plays in a ''locale'''. Do state opens allow out of state players? College let anyone play? Clear reasons for eligibiity specifics.

No need to get excited- The boredom of convelescence is a think in abstracts?

Sidenote- Typng this I was/am so tired 3 times I have drifted off with one letter or number 'typed'' and a full page of ''T'' or c!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 dam I did it again...

dig

[mark]

What course are the players liking better, Bel Air or the Riv? Have heard great things about Bel Air. Did they let the men were shorts there.

[mark]

I would think that the club members would want to help out, I guessed wrong. What was the pace today, would like to see the usga to what is best for the game and make them play faster, even if it ment a little simpler course set up.

[OWGR Fan]

Is the alternate green set off to the right on #10 @ Riviera ever used in a competition?

[PG]

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2017/u-s--amateur/articles/bel-air-about-to-get-back-to-basics.html