Where in the world is Jim Justice?!?
U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson, the only top-ranked player in contention on Sunday, fizzled on the back nine at the Old White and shot 40. Simpson, who led by two going into the final round, bogeyed four of the last six holes to drop to 11-under and a tie for 7th. What the heck happened? My guess is the pressure of winning quickly after his first major victory got to him. Happens to the best of ‘em.
Nationwide Tour Web.com Tour grad Ted Potter Jr. beat Troy Kelly on the third playoff hole, making a four-footer for birdie on No. 18. Now I always root for the underdog, so it was cool to see two relative unknowns go to head-to-head, not to mention Kelly is a fellow Washington native (and when I was 13 in ’96, he was 17 and I remember thinking he was like Tiger Woods because, well, he was older and definitely one of the top players in WJGA).
*Update: I meant to touch on Potter’s interesting Cinderella story. In 2004 he played on what was until recently the Nationwide Tour and missed 24 of 24 cuts. He was wildly successful on the Hooters Tour and was named Player of the Year in 2006 and 2009. He won 7 times and his career earnings totaled $595,490 (add three zeros to that figure to get a sense of how good that is on the mini tours). Last season he started with no status on any major tour and earned a spot in the Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic via the Monday Quailifer, which he went on to win. That also secured him full status for the rest of the season.
Just a few months later, he won the Soboba Classic and finished the year second on the NWT money list to secure his PGA Tour card for 2012. I’d say it’s been a pretty darn good year for Mr. Potter. Well deserved. Reminder: never underestimate the Underdog.
For some reason, I don’t think the weekend was what The Chairman of The Greenbrier Classic and savior of the Resort and the town, envisioned for The Jim Justice Show. As reported by CBSSports.com’s Steve Elling, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were rumored to have each received seven figures to just show up. Both missed the cut. We’ll talk more about the whole situation later because I’ll be up all night writing a nonsensical, rambling post in my delirious state. Oh wait…
Anyway, I started my journey back to NYC this evening and just had a nice, relaxing 5-hour drive to Maryland, where I’m staying overnight. No, I decided not to sleep in my car at a truck stop this time. While I enjoyed my maiden trip to West Virginia (well, I was actually staying in Virginia and commuting an hour for several reasons), it’s kind of nice to be back in civilization, where there’s running water, A/C and power! — woot! Just kidding.
I was lucky to have all those luxuries last week, unlike most of the residents in the area, including those just down the road from The Greenbrier, which, of course, had everything up and running ASAP for the tournament. But don’t forget: Jim Justice spent millions — I mean, MILLIONS — helping the community and donating water and shelter to the locals. You want proof? Well, there were always TV cameras, so there you go.
I don’t know the the current status at Oakhurst Links, which is four miles from the resort, but on Friday, they still didn’t have power or running water. It could be worse, though. Like I’ve been tweeting the last 9 days or so, such #firstworldproblems. What’s this Oakhurst Links I speak of? Well, it’s slogan and claim to fame is “the first organized golf club in America, established 1884.” It’s a nine-hole course that is maintained as close as possible to its original condition.
Basically, you feel like you travel back to the late 1800s/early 1900s, and it’s one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. I went there initially on a tip to perhaps do a sidebar or something. I ended up spending the five best hours of my week there with owner Lewis Keller, who is definitely one of my new favorite people. We had a great chat where he told me about the history of the property on the porch and then he gave me a tour of the “museum.”
Okay, I’m getting carried away here, but basically, at Oakhurst, you play with hickory clubs, replica gutta percha balls, and use sand tees. How do you make a sand tee? Let’s take it over to Mr. Keller’s demo.
There’s your teaser. I’m embargoing most of the material for the piece I’m working on for Golf.com, but there’s plenty to show and lots of cool stuff to share. By the way, playing with hickory clubs was the most fun I’d had in a long time, not to mention I was by myself in the 100-degree heat at the hottest time of the day with merely one bottle of water. It was like a survival test! Just kidding. It was real golf — the way it was played in the hickory era. It was bare bones and rustic. As it should be.
Stay tuned for more on Oakhurst, the Cascades Course at The Homestead, Jim Justice, The Greenbrier and more. (Though I’m a little worried that if I write the truth and my actual opinions, I’ll never be heard from again…) I’ll be driving for most of the day tomorrow (again), but I’ll do my best to post it all sooner rather than later. I’m getting antsy because there’s so much I want to share and I haven’t had time to write!
Thanks for your patience, and again, congrats to Ted Potter Jr. Oh, one last thing — I swear, Golf Channel’s Jerry Foltz is like the web.com Tour grad whisperer. Before the 2011 season he predicted the following five players would either win or have success on the PGA Tour: Jamie Lovemark, Keegan Bradley, Jhonattan Vegas, Kevin Chappell and Chris Kirk. Three of them won and another tied for Low American at the U.S. Open at Congressional. He couldn’t have foreseen Lovemark’s season-ending injury. So, before this season started, I asked Foltzy for his prognostication for the class of 2011 (or would it be 2012?). Ted Potter Jr. was one of the four or five names he gave me.
*Update: Forgot to link to the latest edition of PGA Tour Confidential.
(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Yes another 1st time winner on the PGA tour. This trend just keeps on happening in the last 18 months or so.
My tip for the 2012 British Open is another 1st time major winner.
Great week for Troy Kelly (Go Dawgs!) You’re next Richard H. Lee. Also it was amusing going back in time with the WJGA link and seeing how our favorite blogger tore up the local junior circuit in 1999 & 2000. A break here and some luck there and that could have been Steph hoisting the trophy today in Kohler,
I have a suggestion. If you dislike “The Jim Justice Show” so much, cover something else next year. Seriously, would you not expect him to do whatever it takes to make the golf tournament work? I seriously doubt they would be able to play the tournament without power or running water. This tournament is important to the resort, the several thousand people employed there, and the local community. If you can’t understand how that positively impacts the local economy, I suggest you go back to your Ivy league school and take a few economics classes.
I thInk his fellow west Virginia residents are prob not as keen to trade off power at the resort for power at their homes as you are
How would they have felt if the tournament had been cancelled? You are faulting him from doing everything in his power to keep the tournament going, but would any other tournament head do it any differently? Should he have just said “Sorry folks, tournament is canceled, all you thousands of volunteers, vendors, support personnel, tv networks, players, caddies, officials, etc. just go on home, never mind the millions of dollars that I have invested” ?? Justice has not done anything differently that anyone else that puts on a tournament does. But because his politics or something disagree with Mrs. Wei’s sensibilities, she has devoted much of her space “covering” this tournament to express her dislike for him. I just think that if Mrs. Wei’s dislike for the tournament head is so strong, she should cover a different event. This post has two sentences about the actual golf tournament final round and ensuing winner.
Most of the locals can’t AFFORD to go to the tournament…
The caddies would be happy to go home. In fact, one of them did because he was so upset with the accommodations and treatment of the caddies at this particular tournament.
Lots of media went home, too. Some folks from Tuscon couldn’t find a place to stay b/c their hotel didn’t have running water, so they turned around and flew back.
I don’t know what his politics are, so it’s definitely not that. My problem is with his ethics and using his influence and power in a way that hurts more people than it helps…other than Jim Justice himself and his cronies.
What was different here than what happened the week before at Congo ? Other than the fact that was the actual week of the storm ? They made great efforts to see the event though to its conclusion, just as they did in WV.
Congo was played at least part of the weekend without power. While the tournament expended a lot of it’s own resources, it did not pull county resources off of relief efforts.
Many in WV in the surrounding areas still didn’t have power this past weekend.
That wasn’t the point…Nothing wrong with course…it was perfect and they did a great job cleaning it up. The difference is Potomac, Maryland, a wealthy suburb of DC, and White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, a rural mountainous region in the middle of nowhere. In other words, it’s hillbilly country (as they called it themselves). The storm hit West Virginia way harder. It slowed down a bit by the time it reached Maryland. Like I said, people were without power and water and you’re in the mountains in the middle of nowhere. There are much less resources in West Virginia, and unlike Potomac, WSS isn’t one of the five wealthiest communities/counties in the country. It leans on the opposite side of that spectrum…
I was super impressed with the clean-up. I mentioned in one of these comments that my commute involved driving through back rounds in the mountains….where there were obviously lots and lots of trees. I can’t imagine what they had to do to clear those roads! It must have been a disaster.
Um, I’m not saying it doesn’t impact the local community well, but it’s also interesting to hear what the locals have to say about Mr. Justice. I spent a lot of time talking with them, including host families, employees etc, and well, let’s just say not everyone is a big fan. Read the local newspapers. No doubt he’s revived the community but he’s also screwed over a lot of local businesses and laid off a lot of longtime loyal employees who gave their life to the resort. More to come.
I am quite certain the same sob story could be written at every tour stop.
Actually it’s the oppisote at a lot of tour stops. For instance the ATT National is very popular in the local community, but the country club membership at Congressional no longer really wants to host it (and hasn’t for several yrs).
I don’t believe I was talking to you. And I wasn’t speaking about public support or lack thereof for the tournament. I was talking about the long time employees being laid off, local small businesses being upset, etc. That’s the way of the world, and not unique to this tournament. These special interest stories are only of interest to Stephanie because of her dislike of the tournament host.
The owner of a resort, also sponsoring the tournament is actually fairly unique to this tournament. And actually resorts as all dominating of the area like Greenbrier are also fairly unique.
Lay-offs aren’t unique, nor are large businesses forcing out smaller ones.
Did I say I disliked the tournament host? No, I don’t now him. I am merely relaying the sentiment that I picked up by talking with local residents and business owners, ranging from both sides of the spectrum from an economic standpoint. Yes, I formed an opinion and an unsavory one of the Chairman. I probably shouldn’t even be saying this publicly because it’s not good for business, so I hear.
Clearly you do dislike him, and clearly that clouded your reporting on this event. That’s all I’m saying. The great majority of what you have written about the tournament was thinly veiled, and not so thinly veiled, derogatory statements about Justice. So maybe next year, you should just skip that one. People like and read your blog for behind the scenes insight on players and tournaments, not TMZ style gossip.
Why were you not in Kohler? A national championship vs a run of the mill remote Tour stop?
Kohler has better weather, accommodations as good as any, you could have run over to Erin Hills to preview the Open, and driven 1 hour to a major airport.
Steph that was simply poor scheduling.
No, that was not poor scheduling. I have a limited budget. No one sent me to Kohler (i tried and pitched to pubs…everyone is goin thru cuts, esp with olympics around corner–womens golf not at top of list). I would have loved to cover the women’s open (duh). But from a budget standpoint, I couldn’t afford it. Meanwhile, I could drive from Nyc to AT&T national (Bethesda, Maryland) to Virginia/west Virginia and then drive home back to NYC. I almost didn’t cover a tournament this week but went out of my way to make it work and fit my budget.
Interested to hear your thoughts on the Greenbrier. I went last year and had a blast. If you have the money you can spend it on whatever you want.
You would think so. Except there’s a weird vibe the way things are run over there. As one vendor said, “I would think if you opened your wallet, your money is the same as mine and the next person, etc.”(I’m paraphrasing…it’s late and my notes are in the other room)
You should have been covering a women’s major ! Enough said
Eh, Webb did same thing at Quail earlier this year. Winning is hard, not the least of which is bc you rarely play 72 good holes, and esp you rarely putt well for 72 holes.
Very unfortunate for the organizer and Mr. Justice….
The week started out full of promises with Phil and Tiger in the field. After Friday, it went downhill from there in term of marquee value.
I find it tacky that the winner gets a green jacket.
Guys, Stephanie wasn’t at the US Women’s Open bc it would have cost a lot more. NY to DC to WV to NY is drivable, Wisc means adding an expensive flight.
Believe it or not, I don’t have infinite resources
Ok now give me a break on travel expenses she spends the firt two or three weeks of the year in Hawaii. She would rather just do a phone interview with Michelle Wie. I will admit women’s golf is not the most exciting but it also didn’t have all the free concerts and the traveling circus show.
That’s because I get an unbelievably good rate.
Do you know for a fact I attended any concerts? No, I didn’t. Because I stayed 45 minutes – an hour (at night) away from the event (because of my budget)…and even further away from where these free concerts were held. Greenbrier is not exactly the easiest place in the world to get to. So obviously I was driving through back roads in the mountains. In the interest of safety, I skipped out on these concerts I would have LOVED to attend. Anyway, I don’t feel like I need to defend myself and I’m not sure why I am.
Stephanie, I just wanted to say that I enjoy your blog and look forward to your articles and comments that appear elsewhere (Tour Confidential!).
Jim Justice didn’t get his money’s worth re: Phil and Tiger’s “incentives”. Had to laugh a little at the CBS crew trying to make the coverage exciting.
Tried to watch the women’s Open- just not excited to see anyone run away with a tourney. Choi did deserve to win, she played lights out.
Thanks again, Stephanie!
Thanks, Di. Appreciate the kind words.
NYC played awesome.
(Most of) the ladies in Wisconsin playing in the open wouldn’t flirt with or hit on Ms. Wei. She covers the mens events because she gets more attention from the men, and that’s the way she likes it.
Wow, you just absolutely NAILED it!!!!!
I’m there to do a job, like everyone else. I’m going to leave it at that.
Can anyone say “sexist” or “chauvinist pig”?
/blocking
Wow, nothing like a free content blog to bring out the nastiness in people some days
Justice doesnt pay his bills. I know firsthand, as do DOZENS of local vendors. That’s been the case since long before he sold his company and became a billionaire overnight.
I’ve heard the same from multiple locals. Now he has to seek vendors from outside the community because they won’t work for him since he doesn’t pay.
When I saw Justice on the coverage, I recognized his type from earlier incarnations of the character.
For any Australians reading WUP, translate to Clive Palmer or Russ Hinze.
This will mean nothing to the Yanks but rest assured that there are many Jim Justice’s in the world.
I think Justice got his (donated to charity it seems) worth in terms of payments to Tiger and Phil. They both played in the Pro-AM, were there for media day, and then played 2 full days of Tourney Golf. I would think that the Thursday-Friday tix are usually the tougher sells – in any event, I’m sure lots of people bought weekend tix in the hopes of seeing Tiger, and no refunds. But anyone that knows golf should know that if you are going to an event to see a particular player(s), make sure you go on Thurs/Friday, or you run the risk. Would it have made much more diff if Tiger made cut on the #, then dew swept it for 2 days ? As it was, they got way more coverage for missing the cut than if they both finished T-40- or some sort of mediocre finish like that.
WUP should have covered and attended the US Womens Open. I’m sorry I can’t give a free pass on this one. I’m not buying logistics and budget (Steph Wei your still awesome) ..it’s a poor excuse. Seems like a natural fit for this site to actually care about the LPGA. Just don’t see the commitment.
C’mon people this was the WORST Tournament of the Year. The Golf course is not that interesting. It’s a neat resort.. I’ll take PGA West or Myrtle Beach without all the ‘old timey’ stuff the Jim justice resort has
WUP does a great job. All the back seat journalists can go double bag the Haverkamps.
OK I’m taking Steph at her word. Every person and organization works under the constraints of a budget (except possibly the US Government).
This is one of the two best golf blogs being written today —- I certainly hope you can properly monetize the value you provide us readers.
Appreciate it.
Actually, it appears like Jim Justice doesn’t work under the constrains of a budget
Can’t say that I don’t agree that WUP should have covered women’s open. Please folks lets give Ted Potter Jr his due, he won! Would everyone be falling at Stricker or Simpson’ feet had they won. This is a true cinderella story that will be life changing to someone who is not a product of the “golf factory”
I like everything about this site but for a few obnoxious, mindless commenters. Or maybe it’s just a few who use various monikers.
enough with cuddly wuddlies.. most here love this blog and Stephanie. it’s a ridiculous notion that Journalist/New Media personalities will take some ‘heat’ or criticism from time to time for content, decisions, or opinions.
As Ms. Wei played Women’s Colle Golf and the US Women’s Open is the biggest Tourney of year..it’s fair game.
Steph was there to cover Tiger, not necessarily the tournament itself.
And because Tiger is bigger than LPGA all rolled into one, that’s why she is not at Kohler.
She is a journalist and she has to write what the editor wants.
Unfortunately, Tiger missed the cut.
Really? The U.S. Women’s Open is a much more important event than any second-rate PGA Tour stop, regardless of whether or not Tiger and Phil are playing. I’m a huge fan of Tiger, but I didn’t even bother to watch the tournament… it’s at a freaking resort in West Virginia
It is true that the Women US Open is ‘more important’ than a regular tour event.
However, when it comes to general interest, Tiger is still the biggest draw in golf.
As a free-lance journalist, should SW cover what is important or what would get the most interest? Do keep in mind that she is running a business, not a public service.
Idk, it seemed pretty clear to me that SW would have chosen to cover the Women’s Open had the circumstances allowed her to travel there… as you can tell she can still write about events without having physically been there, so (complications aside) it’s not as if there is such a stark tradeoff between covering one event over the other
Also, I agree with you that, generally speaking, Tiger is the biggest draw in golf; but there are certain weeks when watching Tiger can be foregone (This major is arguably the biggest tournament in all of women’s golf, especially this year in the context of SRP’s win in ’98)
Sorry to go on ha ha, but also….prior to the tournament (Greenbrier) the wonks in golf were saying that Tiger hadn’t won an event in his first start since 1999, I believe. So there was a good chance that his performance would be less than noteworthy, and there wouldn’t have been much of a story to cover at all (which was true…) Whereas the Women’s Open is more or less guaranteed to generate a lot of hype due to its status and the particular storyline that revolved around this one
BTW, Steph, this is the best golf blog I know. Keep up the good work.
Love the blog, it’s become appointment reading for me.
Why so many haters here? Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to Steph’s live, in person coverage of the Quad Cities this week.
Stef, did you ask the “locals” if they were union members?