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Tiger Woods withdraws from 2011 U.S. Open because of injuries

Tiger Woods, who has been battling knee and Achilles injuries since April, withdrew today from next week’s U.S. Open.

Woods announced his decision via Twitter, as well as on his official website, www.tigerwoods.com. Woods indicated he hopes to return to PGA Tour competition at the AT&T National, June 30-July 3, but the timetable for his return is undetermined.

“I am extremely disappointed that I won’t be playing in the U.S. Open, but it’s time for me to listen to my doctors and focus on the future,” Woods said on his website. “I was hopeful that I could play, but if I did, I risk further damage to my left leg. My knee and Achilles tendon are not fully healed. I hope to be ready for AT&T National, the next two majors and the rest of the year.”

On Twitter, Woods characterized his decision as a case of “short-term frustration for long-term gain.”

After being diagnosed with a strained left Achilles tendon and a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament on his left knee in April, Woods withdrew from The Players Championship after nine holes when he reinjured his leg on his opening tee shot on May 12.

Woods, 35, has won 14 major championships. He won the 2008 U.S. Open while playing with a ruptured ACL and a double stress fracture of his left tibia. But he was told by doctors at the time that competing would not make those injuries worse. That apparently is not the case with his latest doctor’s diagnosis.

So he will miss the U.S. Open for the first time since his 1995 debut at the event as an amateur. Woods’ withdrawal means the Masters is the only major championship he has not missed because of injury during his professional career.

“It’s been a frustrating and difficult year, but I’m committed to my long-term health,” Woods said on his website. “I want to thank the fans for their encouragement and support. I am truly grateful and will be back playing when I can.”

Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch.

_ Jimmy Burch

Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760

Colonial to form search committee in efforts to find new tournament director

Officials at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial have scheduled a June 23 meeting to form a search committee and begin the process of finding a replacement for tournament director Peter Ripa, who accepted a similar post Monday with the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

Chuck Scherer, Colonial tournament chairman, said representatives from Fort Worth’s annual PGA Tour stop plan to begin interviewing candidates as soon as possible and already have fielded some inquiries about the vacancy.

“I’d love to have someone in place by the early fall,” Scherer said in a phone interview this morning. “There are some wonderful candidates out there and a couple of them already have been in contact.”

Ripa has spent the last five years as Colonial’s tournament director. Under his leadership, Colonial has won multiple awards from the PGA Tour for its marketing approach and set a tournament record for charitable giving with $6.6 million in 2008.

Ripa said today that he is “a little saddened to be leaving Fort Worth” but was enticed by the opportunity to succeed Tom Wilson as executive director of the Century Club, the charitable organization that oversees the San Diego event, following Wilson’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2012 tournament.

In addition, the venue for the San Diego event, Torrey Pines Golf Course, served as the site for the 2008 U.S. Open and is expected to be in the mix for future Opens. Ripa said that factor also entered into his decision.

Ripa’s last day at Colonial will be July 1, with a starting date of July 5 in his new post. Scherer said Ripa definitely will be missed.

“He has elevated our tournament and he will do the same thing in San Diego,” Scherer said. “He’s a dear friend and we’ll miss him. But our situation, as a tournament, will continue just fine.”

Colonial’s tournament dates for next year are May 21-27, 2012. Colonial has a signed agreement with its title sponsor, Crowne Plaza, that runs through the 2015 tournament.

Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch.

_ Jimmy Burch 

Tarrant golfers Jobe, Campbell earn berths in 2011 U.S. Open field

Westlake resident Brandt Jobe and Colleyville resident Chad Campbell were among the golfers who earned U.S. Open berths at sectional qualifiers that concluded late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Jobe fired an opening 62 and tied Chez Reavie for medalist honors with a 36-hole total of 132 at the qualifier in Columbus, Ohio. Campbell survived a seven-man playoff at a qualifier in Memphis, Tenn. to grab a spot in the field for the 2011 U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

One of the golfers Campbell eliminated in the playoff was Roanoke resident Tag Ridings, who emerged as the second alternate from the Memphis qualifier. Fort Worth resident J.J. Henry was the first alternate from the Columbus qualifier.

In addition, Sergio Garcia will extend his streak of 47 consecutive appearances in majors. Garcia joined Campbell in advancing from the seven-man playoff in Memphis. Garcia, who withdrew because of injury from a British Open qualifier in Plano last month, has played in every major championship since the 1999 U.S. Open.

In the Dallas sectional qualifier that concluded Monday, Westlake resident Todd Hamilton and Colleyville resident Greg Chalmers earned two of the four qualifying berths.

_ Jimmy Burch 

Colonial tournament director Ripa leaving for similar post in San Diego

Peter Ripa, tournament director at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial for the past five years, has accepted a similar post with the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, tournament officials announced today.

Ripa will serve as tournament director for the San Diego-based event in 2012 and will succeed Tom Wilson as executive director of the Century Club, the charitable organization that oversees the event, following Wilson’s retirement at the conclusion of the 2012 tournament.

Under Ripa’s leadership, Colonial has won multiple awards from the PGA Tour for its marketing approach and set a record for charitable giving with $6.6 million in 2008. A search for Ripa’s successor is expected to begin immediately.

Tom Morrison, 2012 president and general chairman of the Century Club called Ripa “a great fit” for his organization. In a statement, Ripa said his is “pleased to be joining the Century Club team and becoming an active part of the San Diego community.”

Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch.

_ Jimmy Burch

Final scores from U.S. Open qualifier in Dallas

A look at the final scores of all competitors in today's 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier in Dallas:

U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying Event - Dallas Athletic

          Club

            Hosted by: Dallas Athletic Club - Blue Course

            Dallas Athletic Club - Blue Course 

Q-Qualified, A1-1^st Alternate, A2-2^nd Alternate

                Michael Smith, Lafayette, La. - 69-64—133 Q

                Todd Hamilton, Cleveland, Ohio - 67-68—135 Q

                Harrison Frazar, Dallas, Texas - 72-64—136 Q

                Greg Chalmers, Colleyville, Texas - 66-70—136 Q

                Michael Whitehead, Sugar Land, Texas - 68-68—136 A1

                Justin Leonard, Dallas, Texas - 70-68—138 A2

                Mark Walker, Hurst, Texas - 69-69--138

                James Byrne, Banchory - 66-72—138

                Morgan Hoffmann, Wyckoff, N.J. - 68-71--139

                Jordan Spieth, Dallas, Texas - 71-68--139

                John Peterson, Fort Worth, Texas - 68-72--140

                Jordan Russell, College Station, Texas - 71-69--140

                Bill Allcorn, Abilene, Texas - 69-71--140

                Anthony Broussard, Addison, Texas - 66-74--140

                Martin Maritz, Broken Arrow, Okla. - 69-71--140

                Fergal Rafferty, Tomball, Texas - 73-67--140

                Casey Clendenon, Houston, Texas - 70-70--140

                Hudson Johnson, Longview, Texas - 66-75--141

                Lance Lopez, Missouri City, Texas - 69-72--141

                Scott Petersen, Parker, Colo. - 71-70--141

                Drew Lethem, Kansas City, Kan. - 68-73--141

                Clark Collier, Edmond, Okla. - 69-73--142

                Christopher Ward, McKinney, Texas - 71-71--142

                Tim Madigan, Rio Rancho, N.M. - 72-70--142

                Drew Stoltz, Scottsdale, Ariz. - 73-69--142

                Cory Whitsett, Houston, Texas - 74-68--142

                Jose Toledo, Humble, Texas - 70-73--143

                Andrew Loupe, Baton Rouge, La. - 70-73--143

                Franklin Corpening, Fort Worth, Texas - 71-72--143

                Tim Fleming, Oklahoma City, Okla. - 71-72--143

                Jordan Krantz, Glendale, Ariz. - 72-71--143

                Payne Gniewek, Trenton, Mich. - 71-72--143

                Tyler Weworski, Carlsbad, Calif. - 69-75--144

                Michael Boyd, Tulsa, Okla. - 72-73--145

                Madalitso Muthiya, Albuquerque, N.M. - 73-72--145

                Alex Kang, San Diego, Calif. - 66-79--145

                Tom Kite, Austin, Texas - 75-70--145

                Eric Moore, San Antonio, Texas - 67-78--145

                Bob May, Las Vegas, Nev. - 70-75--145

                Tyrone Mordt, Senderwood - 70-75--145

                Lee Rhind, Midland, Texas - 71-74--145

                Grant Norton, Rancho Murieta, Calif. - 73-73--146

                Brad Ott, Frisco, Texas - 73-73--146

                Stephen Carney, Tulsa, Okla. - 68-78--146

                Harris Graham, Denton, Texas - 72-74--146

                Brad Gehl, Carmel, Ind. - 72-74--146

                Robby Ormand, Austin, Texas - 71-76--147

 

                Ben Lavergne, Mandeville, La. - 75-72--147

                Rodolfo Cazaubon, Denton, Texas - 68-79--147

                Trent Whitekiller, Sallisaw, Okla. - 73-75--148

                Zach Johnson, Farmington, Utah - 73-75--148

                Clinton Shepard, West  Monroe, La. - 72-76--148

                Brian Dwyer, Southlake, Texas - 72-76--148

                Brian Tankersley, Dickson, Tenn. - 76-72--148

                Jerrett Hamilton, Richardson, Texas - 69-79--148

                Jon Troutman, Spring Hill, Kan. - 77-72--149

                Andrew Connell, Denver, Colo. - 71-78--149

                Carlos Ortiz, Zapopan Jalisco - 79-70--149

                Coy Breen, San Antonio, Texas - 72-77--149

                David Lee, Houston, Texas - 69-80--149

                Blanton Tessin, Lake Park, Ga. - 74-77--151

                Troy Lewis, Fort Worth, Texas - 78-74--152

                Barry Milstead, Centennial, Colo. - 72-80--152

                Luke Symons, Aurora, Colo. - 73-82--155

                Cody Paladino, Kensington, Conn. - 78-77--155

                James Christianson, Edmond, Okla. - 81-79--160

                Andrew Steinhofer, Madison, Wis. - 80-82--162

                Isaac Idstein, San Antonio, Texas - 82-81--163

                Kirk Nelson, Kihei, Hawaii - 76-WD--WD

                David Studebaker, Hutto, Texas - 75-WD--WD

                Dustin Morris, Crosby, Texas - 70-WD--WD

 

_ Jimmy Burch

Tarrant golfers Hamilton, Chalmers earn berths in 2011 U.S. Open

DALLAS _ Neither golfer did it the easy way.

But Westlake resident Todd Hamilton and Colleyville resident Greg Chalmers emerged from today’s U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club with two of the four available berths in the 2011 U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

Hamilton, the 2004 British Open champ, carried his own clubs for all 36 holes.

“It’s one less guy to get in the way,” said Hamilton, adding that his caddie-free approach helped him pace himself while posting rounds of 67-68 to finish at 5-under par, two strokes behind medalist Michael Smith of Lafayette, La. (7-under).

Chalmers, also a PGA Tour competitor, needed a birdie on his final hole of regulation to join a three-man playoff for the final two available berths at the Open. Once there, he and fellow touring pro Harrison Frazar posted pars on the first playoff hole while Michael Whitehead took bogey.

“I birdied the last hole to make the playoff and now, I’m in the Open. So it worked out pretty good,” said Chalmers, who will be playing in his first major championship since the 2002 U.S. Open.

Whitehead earned the first alternate spot, with Dallas resident Justin Leonard, the 1997 British Open champ, landing the second alternate spot.

Hurst resident Mark Walker (2-under) finished two strokes out of the playoff. Dallas teen Jordan Spieth, a Texas signee who became a gallery favorite by emerging as a weekend contender at the last two HP Byron Nelson Championships (2010, 2011), finished at 1-under, three strokes out of the playoff.

LSU golfer John Peterson, the 2011 NCAA champ from Paschal High School in Fort Worth, posted rounds of 68-72 to finish at even-par.

Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch.

_ Jimmy Burch 

Updated results through first round of today's 36-hole US Open qualifier in Dallas

Below is a look at the results through the first round of today's 36-hole, U.S. Open sectional qualifier in Dallas. The top four finishers will earn berths in the field at the 2011 U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Congressional CC in Bethesda, Md.:

 

U.S. Open qualifier results
Dallas Athletic Club (Blue Course)

Results through first round:

Hudson Johnson=66-
Alex Kang=66-
Anthony Broussard=66-
James Byrne=66-
Greg Chalmers=66-
Eric Moore=67-
Todd Hamilton=67-
Stephen Carney=68-
Michael Whitehead=68-
Rodolfo Cazaubon=68-
Drew Lethern=68-
John Peterson=68-
Morgan Hoffman=68-
Clark Collier=69-
Lance Lopez=69-
Michael Smith=69-
Mark Walker=69-
Bill Allcorn=69-
Jerrett Hamilton=69-
David Lee=69-
Martin Maritz=69-
Tyler Weworski=69-
Justin Leonard=70-
Bob May=70-
Casey Clendenon=70-
Tyrone Mordt=70-
Dustin Morris=70-
Andrew Loupe=70-
Jose Toldeo=70-
Jordan Russell=71-
Andrew Connell=71-
Christopher Ward=71-
Franklin Corpening=71-
Tim Fleming=71-
Scott Petersen=71-
Payne Gniewek=71-
Jordan Spieth=71-
Robby Ormand=71-
Lee Rhind=71-
Brian Dwyer=72-
Barry Milstead=72-
Harris Graham=72-
Brad Gehl=72-
Tim Madigan=72-
Michael Boyd=72-
Clinton Shepard=72-
Jordan Krantz=72-
Harrison Frazar=72-
Coy Breen=72-
Trent Whitekiller=73-
Zach Johnson=73-
Madalitso Muthiya=73
Grant Norton=73-
Fergal Rafferty=73-
Drew Stoltz=73
Luke Symons=73-
Brad Ott=73-
Cory Whitsett=74-
Blanton Tessin=74-
David Studebaker=75-
Ben Lavergne=75-
Tom Kite=75-
Brian Tankersley=76-
Jon Troutman=77-
Troy Lewis=78-
Cody Paladino=78-
Carlos Ortiz=79-
Andrew Steinhofer=80-
James Christianson=81-
Isaac Idstein=82-
Kirk Nelson=76-WD

 

_ Jimmy Burch

Chalmers, Peterson among early frontrunners at US Open qualifier in Dallas

Greg Chalmers, a PGA Tour competitor from Colleyville, is one of five golfers who shares the lead late in the first round of today’s 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club.

Chalmers posted an opening 66 at the par-70 venue, joining Hudson Johnson, Alex King, Anthony Broussard and James Byrne atop the early leader board. Westlake resident Todd Hamilton, a fellow touring pro who won the 2004 British Open, fired an opening 67.

Four qualifiers from the Dallas site will advance to the U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

LSU golfer John Peterson, the 2011 NCAA champ from Paschal High School in Fort Worth, posted an opening 68 and is two strokes off the lead. Peterson will begin his second round shortly.

Other first-round scores from competitors with Tarrant County connections include: Hurst’s Mark Walker (69), Fort Worth’s Franklin Corpening (71), Southlake’s Brian Dwyer (72) and Fort Worth’s Troy Lewis (78). In addition, Dallas teen Jordan Spieth, a Texas signee who became a gallery favorite by becoming a weekend contender at the last two HP Byron Nelson Championships (2010, 2011), opened with a 71.

Dallas resident Justin Leonard, winner of the 1997 British Open, posted a 70 in his first round.

Two touring pros posted over-par scores in their opening rounds: Dallas resident Harrison Frazar (72) and Austin resident Tom Kite (75), the 1992 U.S. Open champ who competes primarily on the Champions Tour.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Texas Golf Hall of Fame seeks nominees from fans

Officials at the Texas Golf Hall of Fame are seeking nominees for the 2011 induction class, beginning today. Fans are eligible to nominate candidates online by going to the website www.texasgolfhof.org  and following the links to submit their suggestions.

Nominations can be made from today (June 6) through midnight on July 15.

Nominations must be made on the nomination form and strictly comply with the eligibility requirements set out for each of the six (6) categories found on the website.  

In late July, the Hall of Fame’s nominating committee will review the submitted nominations to assure eligibility and refer the nominations to the board of directors, a select group from the Texas Golf Writers’ Association and the existing inductees for final selection.  The 2011 class will be announced in mid-August and inducted in San Antonio on Oct. 10.

In 2010, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame inducted 10 individuals and the Brook Hollow Golf Club at a gala and dinner at the San Antonio Country Club. 

The Texas Golf Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) and a Texas non-profit.  It has honored the best in Texas golf since 1978 and has inducted 90 individuals and three historic golf courses.  For more information about the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, visit the website.

_ Jimmy Burch

Tarrant golfers to compete in Monday's US Open sectional qualifer in Dallas

A total of 71 golfers, including several PGA Tour competitors and notable amateurs with Tarrant County connections, will try and play their way into the field at the 2011 U.S. Open during Monday’s 36-hole sectional qualifier at Dallas Athletic Club.

The qualifiers will earn berths in the field for the U.S. Open, June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.

Among the entrants are touring pros Justin Leonard, Tom Kite, Todd Hamilton, Harrison Frazar and Greg Chalmers. The field also includes Franklin Corpening, a Fort Worth resident and former TCU golfer who competes on the 2011 Adams Golf Pro Tour Series.

LSU golfer John Peterson, a Fort Worth Paschal graduate who won the 2011 NCAA individual title Thursday in Stillwater, Okla. is one of several notable amateurs vying for an Open berth. The list includes Dallas teen Jordan Spieth, a Texas signee who has made the cut the past two years at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

_ Jimmy Burch