Mark’s Kaddy Korner

A weekend off was kind of what I needed, it had been awhile since I worked five straight weeks. “Mighty” Misun Cho, all 5’ 2’’ and 110 pounds wanted me to meet her Monday morning before the pro-am for a little practice. I skirted the tornadoes and nasty weather driving from Chicago to Toledo Sunday evening and checked into the lovely Knight’s Inn about 20 minutes from Highland Meadows in Sylvania.

Jamie Farr has been hosting the LPGA for thirty years in the Toledo area but the tournament has seen its better days. The crowds still turn out but the players don’t, it’s one of the weakest fields of the year even though contested on a fantastic old track, tight narrow fairways crisscrossing a stream and lined with a variety of pines, oaks, and maples. I’m not sure who the architect was but he studied Donald Ross for sure. When you left a green the tee box was close by.

Misun and her mother were waiting for me under the shade tree by the putting green. Both were smiling and ready to get going, thank god there was no Korean father to deal with. Misun spent her teenage years in Australia and her English was excellent, she even knew a few choice words and politely asked if it was okay if she swore once in awhile. We hit it off right away, spent the morning practicing and played a junior pro-am scramble with four high school girls that afternoon. It was a long day for a Monday but quite enjoyable.

Highland Meadows is surrounded by a middle class community, the lawn parties are everywhere, spectators parking their cars on local lawns for $5-$10, and the streets are packed with folks heading for the tournament. Across from the main entrance Tracy fills his yard with about 100 cars a day and hosts the caddies, volunteers, security guards and anyone who wonders in off the street. He’s always has his grill going, beverages iced down, and a raucous smile. For a small donation you can get a breakfast sandwich before the round and a cheeseburger later in the day. A couple of caddies shacked up in his basement and it was pretty much “caddy central” for the week. The local folks really support the event, make a few bucks on the side, and donate a bit to charity, it’s nice to see.

Misun’s a tour rookie qualifying off the Duramed Futures Tour last year finishing third and she’s been working with Phil Ritson from Orlando. Her game is real strong until she gets to within three feet of the hole. She’s not very long off the tee but accurate, precise with her irons, however the four to five inches between her ears cause problems with the three foot putts. We worked extensively all week using a chalk line and I introduced her to Ron Stockton, a short game guru working with Morgan Pressel. His dad, Dave, is probably one of the top five putters of all time and works with Phil Mickelson among others.

The introduction was pure fate. As I was talking with Misun about putting asking her if she worked with anyone, Ron walked onto the practice green. We’ve been friends for awhile and he was glad to help. The 15-20 minute session was very productive, hopefully it will lead to something special for both of them, she could sure use the help and Ron loves developing young players.

We missed a four-footer for birdie on the first hole but managed a birdie a few holes later. The kid’s a battler, every time we made bogey she came back with a quick birdie and we shot two under. She birdied every par five even though way behind her playing partners off the tee. Friday she struggled but birdied the last hole. The cut was even par and her three under left her tied for 32^nd but even better in a Saturday play-off for a British Open spot.

I decided not to tell her about the play-off and after we shot -1 one I broke the news. At first she was noticeably upset I hadn’t told her but soon figured it was better, the pressure may have been too much. I called her while she was having lunch in the clubhouse, she let out a shriek, and came running on to the putting green five minutes later giving me a big hug.

Sunday’s round was anticlimactic; we struggled a bit while our playing partner I Y Park shot a smooth 64. Misun birdied the last hole finishing -5 and a decent week. We discussed the British Open after the round. If the money’s right and the flight isn’t too expensive it looks like I’m heading to Royal Birkdale later this month. Maybe I’ll squeeze in the Senior British the week before. Things sure can change quickly out here; this all came about from a haphazard conversation last week at the player-caddy bowling tournament.