News Grab-Bag: 3/21/14

- One of my favorite golfers of all time, Grace Park, has been appointed the Athlete Role Model for golf at the Youth Olympic Games. Golf will make its first appearance in the games, and they could not have appointed a better ambassador for kids to look up to. The Youth Olympic Games will take place in China between August 16th and August 28th.

- Bubba Watson has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational after one round, citing allergy problems. Bubba opened with an 83 before withdrawing. I wonder if this puts Bubba's chances of playing the Players Championship in jeopardy. Other players have, in the past, skipped the prestigious event, citing allergies.

- A recent report suggests that Tiger Woods has a bulging disk in his back. If this is the case, his status for the Masters is seriously in doubt.

- No matter what her results are, Cristie Kerr will walk out Phoenix feeling like a champion this week. This is because the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation announced that they will match Kerr's winnings this season in a donation for the Semper Fi Fund, which helps injured and critically ill military service members and their family. Last season, Kerr earned over $700,000. Kerr also announced the expansion of her wine label, Curvature Wine. Not even getting nailed with a golf ball by Stacy Lewis in a practice round can put a damper on her week.

- USGA President Mike Davis was on hand for a players meeting at the Founders Cup, and one player was outspoken with their issues. Ryann O'Toole voiced her concern with holding the US Women's Open the week following the men's tournament at the same golf course, citing that it feels like they are being given the "leftovers" and that the course would not be ready for the ladies to play.

- Today is a sad day in the golf world as we morn the loss of former US Open Champion Jack Fleck who won the 1955 US Open Championship by beating the legend Ben Hogan. Fleck was only on the PGA Tour six months when he walked away with what what then the most prestigious title in golf, rallying late to catch Hogan and then beating him in a playoff to stop Hogan from winning his 5th title. His nine shot deficit after the first round is the largest rally in US Open history still to this day. When Hogan putted out on the 18th hole, the commentators declared him the winner and NBC went off the air, but Fleck never wavered and ended up forcing the playoff, which he won by one stroke. It was, and may still be, considered the biggest upset in golf history. Fleck would go on to win two more times on the PGA Tour, but his victory over Hogan remains iconic. He was 92, and the oldest US Open champion at the time of his passing. A great era of golf is sadly passing with him.