For Lehigh Valley golf fans, this is the week to see senior golf pros at their best during the USGA’s U.S. Senior Open Golf Tournament being played at local Saucon Valley Country Club. The tournament runs June 23-26 at Saucon’s famed Old Course. 

Of the 77 fully exempt golfers who will play, the only fan favorite and big draw that won’t be there is Fred Couples. Couples has withdrawn from the tournament with the USGA not providing a reason for Couples’ withdrawal. 

I had the pleasure of bumping into Couples several years ago in British Columbia while I was there for a new car introduction. As I descended in the elevator of the hotel I was staying at, when the doors opened at the first floor, there stood Couples and his dog waiting to get into the elevator. Surprised to see him, all I could muster to say was “Hi Freddie” and he replied in his normally cool way of,  “Hey how’s it going.” I subsequently learned his was there to play the now defunct golf tournament hosted by Shell oil company. 

But there will still be familiar names playing in the field such as Fred Funk, Rocco Mediate, Jim Furyk, Davis Love III, David Duval, Vijay Singh, Mark Calcavecchia, Mark O’Meara, Tom Lehman and other notables that reigned on the PGA Tour. 

If you are attending, be aware that there will be no paper tickets offered so it’s best to apply online now. Tickets can be displayed on your smartphone via the AXS app that’s offered when purchasing tickets online. Tickets will be delivered to your AXS mobile app for iOS and Android phones. 

As there are four ticket packages available, Gallery tickets provide general admission to the Open and Saucon Valley Country Club’s grounds to walk the course and watch your favorite players. With this ticket, you’ll have access to the grandstands and opportunity to purchase food and beverages at concession stands around the course, according to the USGA. Gallery tickets also provide complimentary parking at an off-site location with shuttle service to and from SVCC. For more timely information contact the USGA Sr. Open Championship Office at 484-223-3295 ext. 2 with ticket questions or issues. Tickets can be ordered by visiting www.ussenioropen.com. 

LIL-LE-HI TROUT NURSERY 

According to Herb Gottschall, president of Lehigh Fish & Game Association, there was supposed to be two remaining trout stockings in selected streams from fish in the hatchery, but because of an infestation of Mudsnails on the trout, Pennsylvania Fish Commission biologists have put those stockings on hold as they don’t want to spread the contamination to existing trout in area streams. 
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One of the remaining stockings could have been used for the upcoming July 4 Free Fishing Day when a fishing license is not needed to fish commonwealth waters. It would have been a nice enticement to try the sport. 

​Tiger Woods has personally announced that he has switched to TaylorMade Golf for the upcoming season after his former sponsor and club maker decided to depart from the golf club making business. 
The following is a letter on TaylorMade stationary was sent out to make his official announcement. 

Dear Golfer, 

I first started playing TaylorMade equipment as far back as I can remember, so I'm no stranger to what this company has done over the years in pushing golf innovation forward. This brand has played a major role in my life and has contributed to many of my early successes, including U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur Championships. Today, I am proud to announce that I am officially joining the TaylorMade family.

Throughout my career, I've always been meticulous about my equipment. Over the past few months, I've had clubs from every brand sent to me to test. When it came to making a final decision, the choice was easy-it all came down to performance, which is why I chose TaylorMade. 

In 2017, my new bag will include the full M family of metalwoods - Driver and Fairways. In fact, the new M2 3-Wood is unlike anything I've ever hit. It has the perfect shape and I told the guys during our first meeting that this is the farthest I've ever hit a fairway wood. 

For irons and wedges, I'm going to work closely with the team at TaylorMade. For my irons, we will be developing a new custom set. Over the coming months, we will take you along the development journey, from the initial design concepts all the way through the process until they make it into my bag. Finally, the new MG Wedge is absolutely beautiful, and we're working to dial in the exact grind for me. There's no doubt it's fun to have some new weapons, and the confidence I have in my new TaylorMade equipment makes me excited for the season. 

As I've said before, my goal remains the same: to win. 

This is going to be fun.

Tiger Woods
staff professional | pga tour
taylormade golf company 5545 fermi court carlsbad, ca 92008 Text Ends

According to the Golf Channel, Milfred Jerome “Jerry” Palmer Jr., 72, passed away Nov. 19 in Pittsburgh. He passed not long  after his famed brother Arnold passed. 

Unlike his pro golfer brother, Jerry followed his father’s footsteps into the golf course superintendent profession. He served for a time at Latrobe Country Club where he and his older brother Arnold learned to play golf. 

Jerry was a 39-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents of America Association (GCSAA) and previously served on the Communications Committee and Par for the Course Resource Group. 
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