Cardinal Golf Classic Recap and Here we Go!!!

The Cardinal Golf Classic for 2008 is in the books. We had a great day on the Farm last Friday afternoon and were able to make some very valuable dollars that help our team along the way. Thanks to everyone who participated and for all of your support. A special congratulations to the team of Jack and Rhodine Gifford, Daryl Donovan, and Rick Disney for their scorching hot round of 41 net. That was good enough to be crowned our champions for 2008 and win the crystal. Tremendous golf!

One person that we should take some time out to remember when we talk about the Cardinal Golf Classic is Kent winton who was one of the original founders of the Watson Tournament years ago (now named the Cardinal Golf Classic). Kent passed away earlier in the year and I have to admit the event on Friday felt like we were missing something. The only thing I can think of was Kent's presence. Kent loved the Watson, fighting for 1st place, and all of the fun to be had on our great day. He will be missed.

I also failed to thank Dr. Doug Yarris for his generous donation of all the wine we enjoyed for dinner and tee prizes. "Hope and Grace" is the label you need to look for! We really appreciate the gesture Doc!

The team is off tomorrow to the Chicago area for our first event of the new season at Olympia Fields, site of the 2003 US Open. Come back and visit for results. We are all hoping for good things. Also, one of our freshmen David Chung will be posting a few paragraphs when we get home about his experiences during his first collegiate event so please keep a look out for that.

Until then... here is to birdies and a Cardinal win. Fairways and Greens!

Let The Games Begin!

It is hard to believe the summer is winding down and the new season is upon us. The guys check back in Monday the 8th and will will dive into the season. I am really eager to see the guys, the level of their improvement over the summer, and who ultimately qualifies for the first trip to Olympia Fields in the Chicago area in a few weeks. If you look at the summer that most of the team had, I think there is a lot to look forward to. Sihwan Kim finished in strong fashion with a great showing at the US Amateur to go along with three other qualifying to play as well. Jordan Cox, Steve Ziegler, and incoming freshman David Chung all competed and it was great to have such a strong Stanford contingent at Pinehurst. Well done boys! Also, Joseph Bramlett is back playing and healthy so we are really looking forward to his contributions and presence in the line-up.

Speaking of USGA events, good luck to golf alums Sandy McCall, Denny Alexander, and Van Salmans as they have all qualified to play in the US Senior Amateur. Well done boys! Make us old guys proud! On the alumni front as well, if you have not heard, we recently lost one of our most devoted Stanford golfers, Art Shroeder. We all send our best to his loved ones and family. Please take a minute to read the great tribute to Art that Bob Stevens has written on our site.

Besides the team goings-on and alumni news we are all looking forward to a great day Friday the 12th during our third annual Cardinal Golf Classic. We have 24 groups signed up and still have room for a few more but the day promises to be an awesome day celebrating the program. If you have not signed up please do!

The Siebel Varisty Golf Training Complex has been a huge hit on all fronts. Recruiting is going well and I think the verbal commitments we have gotten for the fall of 2009 will not disappoint. I look forward to sharing these names with you when the NCAA allows. The complex was a huge factor n their decisions. This month we will be over-seeding the 30 acre space so it will look great throughout the winter and spring.

Best of luck to all of you as the summer golf season winds down and please look us up if you back on the Farm this fall. More updates coming soon!

Go Cardinal!