Jax Golf News
This year's Gate Invitational was not without controversy.
This year's Gate Invitational was not without controversy.
The winner was Dan Olsen, a former Touring pro, but his
eligibility was questioned by some of the competitors.
The rules say that entrants must be employed PGA pros, but
some feel that Olsen's stated”employment” of teaching at local clubs and
schools doesn't count if the owner doesn't consider him an employee.
Don't fault the Gate. There was a Chapter event the previous
week and Olsen was allowed to enter.
• There's a lot of sentiment to change the rules governing
dropping the ball. No more drops, say the non-purists. Let's all place the
ball, thus saving time and making things equal for all. Apparently, there's
enough support in the USGA to move it along, but the R&A has doubts. Pro
shops will be serviced either by soft goods salespeople, or they'll have to do
it on the internet.
• Hard to imagine, but Nike has dumped its hard goods reps.
• Reynolds Plantation has been taken over by MetLife but
folks there say it's anything but a finance-related takeover.
The insurance
company has made improvements and has pulled together the various pieces — for
instance, the golf shop and the hotel were almost totally separate operations.
There's also discussion of a zoo on the property.
• Nice member amenity: you can take your dry cleaning to
Charlotte Country Club and they'll get it done. Three-day service.