narrominded
Jake Narro, PGA professional, head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and
Backspin publisher
Now that the holiday season is over, it’s time
to buckle down and get back to what we do.
For me, that means getting ready for the spring
semester and our golf season. Of course we
play in the fall and the events count towards
our rankings just like the spring, but the spring
is considered our “championship season.”
The reason it is considered the championship
season is the postseason is played in late April
and early May. Conference championship is
late April, then the regionals the first week of
May, followed by the National Championship.
I cannot wait to get going.
It’s also the time of year for resolutions
and predictions. I’m not gonna divulge my
resolutions as my history of fulfilling New Year
resolutions is shaky at best. However, I will give
you some of my predictions for golf this year
and a few others outside of the game we love.
Let’s start with the PGA tour.
Ricky Fowler wins The Masters. I must admit
I’ve never really been a huge fan of Ricky. When
he first came around, I thought he was a little
more style than substance, but he has won me
over the past couple of years. He seems to be a
great kid who really “gets it” despite the flashy
appearance. His putting is incredible which
of course it has to be at Augusta more than
anywhere else, and he drives it great as well.
Perhaps most important is that he is fearless,
and we all know scared can’t get through Amen
Corner.
Next on the list will be the U.S. Open at
Shinnecock Hills. Thankfully, this classic venue
will produce a true U.S. Open unlike what we
witnessed last year at Erin Hills. Taking nothing
away from the deserving champion Brooks
Koepka, but 16-under par with wide fairways
just doesn’t seem right to me for our national
championship. I’m thinking this year short and
straight just might do just like Corey Pavin in
1995. I also hope for even par to be the winning
score.
Sergio Garcia wins the Open Championship
at Carnoustie. After getting the major
championship monkey off his back at last year’s
Masters, Sergio’s main focus for the remainder
of his career will be holding the Claret Jug. If
you remember, he lipped out a 10-footer for par
to win at Carnoustie in 2007 and then lost to
Padraig Harrington in a four-hole playoff. Back
then, he thought the golf gods were against
him, but now a more mature Sergio is capable
of controlling his own fate.
Jordan Speith wins the PGA Championship
to complete the career grand slam. I really
had to think about this one as Dustin Johnson
is made to win on this track. However, I think
Jordan will have one of his out-of-body putting
weeks and edge the long hitting Johnson by a
shot to win.
The USA retains the Ryder Cup at Le Golf
National in France. The momentum has swung
the Americans’ way with the young, talented
core of Fowler, Speith and Justin Thomas.
Tiger Woods plays 15 events with no real pain
in 2018. He wins twice and battles the young
guns in the Masters and PGA championship.
Lexi Thompson wins Ana Inspiration and
The Evian Championship and becomes the
first American world number one since Stacy
Lewis in 2014. She certainly deserves it as her
2017 both on and off the course was not easy.
Lydia Ko wins the British Open, Inbee Park
gets the U.S. Open and Brooke Henderson wins
the PGA.
David Toms will win the U.S. Senior Open,
The Charles Schwab Cup and will replace
Bernhard Langer as the best senior golfer.
The Southeastern Lions win the Southland
Conference Championship and make a lot
of noise in the regionals. Sorry for that self
promotion.
The Saints squeak past Carolina for the third
time, then beat the Eagles when Nick Fowles
struggles, then go to Minnesota and win the
NFC Championship game. Brady and Brees
put on a show in the Super Bowl with the Saints
kicking a 50 yard field goal to win a all-time
classic Super Bowl. You gotta believe.
Revolution in North Korea leads to the
overthrow of Kim Jong-un’s rule. Facebook
and other social media will start to decline in
popularity. The US economy will continue to
strengthen. No hurricanes.
I hope all of you have a great 2018 and
stick to those resolutions, I feel golf is gonna
continue to work it’s way back into our lives.
I know we’re all very busy, but be sure to find
some time for golf. Hey, that sounds like a good
resolution.
Jake
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