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Sports Thursday June 26, 2025 The Eatonton Messenger Loran Smith Columnist Bill Griffin The U. S. Open is not supposed to be something easy to win; inherent in its challenge are adversity and stress. If you want an easy track, stay away from Oakmont and ply your time at some muni course in some obscure, no-name town. Nowhere is there a greater test of golf than at Oakmont when the United States Golf Association narrows the fairways, and with cooperation from the weather, conditions the greens to where compet itors wonder if they are putting on glass. Rains softened the course last weekend but majestic Oakmont, nonetheless, kept red numbers off the scoreboard. That is why tight fair- ways with greens so fast that a Stimpmeter is in shock are expected to be the norm at the annual championship, making pars something sacred. When the USGA has the opportunity, it prefers to see a competitor who is a consummate craftsman in the winner’s circle rather than a bomber, although long knockers who are accurate off the tee do have an advantage in Open competition. It didn’t hurt that Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods coupled accuracy with distance to win their seven Open championships, Jack four and Tiger three. Ben Hogan was never referred to as a bomber, but he was long enough to compete with the best and on any golf course. What set him apart, however, was his remarkable accuracy. Hogan won four Opens and lost one in a playoff. He also won the Hale America Open. The USGA gave him a gold medal for that win as the U. S. Open champion. Counting that championship, he is a five-time winner of our national championship. Bob Ford, the long- time head professional at Oakmont, recalled earlier this week, the contro versy at the 1953 Open at Oakmont when the club’s furrowed bunkers caused tour players to threaten to boycott the Open. The issue was solved when offi cials agreed to only furrow bunkers around the green. Ford and Oakmont officials made a trip to Ft. Worth in 1991 regarding the upcoming women’s Open which was to be played at Oakmont. Hogan came to a cocktail party organized for the Oakmont visitors. Ford remembered someone asking Hogan about the furrowed bunkers and he said, “I don’t know, I was not in ‘em.” That is how you win an Open championship. Stay out of trouble and nobody has ever been better at that than Hogan. Any reference to Oakmont brings about a review of the contribution of Bill Griffin, who grew up in Rutledge, Georgia, and was a member of the chainsaw gang at Oakmont (there were nine principals). This group met and decided that the golf course was far from what founder Henry C. Fownes wanted it to be — essen tially, the hardest course in Gators' roster sees offseason turnover Matt Allen, Gatewood's all-time leading scorer, recently transferred to Newton High School in Covington, where he lives. FILE PHOTO Lance McCurley lance@msgrnews.com The Gatewood boys basket- ball team recently experienced some roster turnover in the offseason. The Gators lost Ames Johnson, JT Gregory, Jake Rich, and Kaiden Keiser to graduation in May. They’ve also lost rising senior Matt Allen, their top scorer for the past few years and the program’s all-time leading scorer. Allen, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound shooting guard, recently trans ferred to Newton High School, a successful GHSA Class 6A school. The Gatewood boys also lost another rising junior to Lake Oconee Academy, so the Gators won’t have many contributors returning next season, although coach Don Keiser embraces the challenge. “Losing Matt, that’s huge, but I also had four seniors who started,” Keiser said. “Matt was special. He scored 2,346 points in four years since he played for us in the eighth grade. Kaden also scored over 1,200 points.” Losing Allen and Kaden Keiser, the coach’s son, were massive blows. Allen averaged 35.1 points a game and shot 51 percent from the field. The younger Keiser also averaged the team’s second-best 12.2 points a game. Gregory was also productive in the scoring department, averaging 7.2 points per game behind Allen and Keiser. Keiser estimated that he lost FILE PHOTO Gatewood head coach Don Keiser believes his team can succeed next season, despite having a young and inexperienced roster. over 75% of his scoring heading into next season, but believes he still has a strong core returning. He’s excited to see Landon Moreno, Lake Ferman, and Brady Haley are coming back. Moreno was the team’s fourth-leading scorer last season, averaging 6.2 points per game. Ferman and Brady Haley also contributed valu able minutes for the Gators last season, but all three will need to step up if they want to succeed. “We’re going to be young, but the good news is I got them young,” Keiser stated. “They MORE GATORS » B2 CONTRIBUTED Putnam County Rec hosts youth pickleball camp More than a dozen young athletes took to the courts last week for a Youth Pickleball Camp, hosted by the Putnam County Recreation Department. Boys and girls aged 7-12 spent the week learning the funda mentals of pickleball, through drills, games, and friendly competitions. The campers quickly developed skills, sports manship, and — perhaps most importantly — a love for the game. “Our goal was to introduce kids to pickleball in a fun, encouraging environment, and they absolutely exceeded our expectations,” said Kelley Chitwood, one of the camp organizers and USA Pickle- ball ambassador for Putnam County. “Their energy, enthu siasm, and progress were incredible.” But the camp wasn’t just about the kids, as organizers hope to inspire more adults to get involved as well. “These kids are the future of our sport, but they’re also watching us,” Chitwood said. “When they see parents, grand parents, and neighbors out there playing, encouraging, and sharing the court, it makes a lasting impression. Pickle ball is a game for all ages, and it’s a perfect way to bring our community together.” With the success of this camp, future youth programming in Putnam County is already in the works. Local pickleball leaders are encouraging players of all skill levels and ages to come out, join a game, and help grow the sport. For more information on local pickleball events, clinics, and open play, follow“Putnam Pickleball Group” or “Lake Country Picklehall” on Face- book, or call Chitwood at 706-623-1928. — Contributed Six War Eagles earn All-Region honors FILE PHOTO Jackson Dodd earned All-Region first- team honors. Lance McCurley lance@msgrnews.com The Putnam County baseball team wrapped up its first season with new head coach Stephen Phillips in April. The War Eagles went 11-20 overall in Phillips’ first year, but made a trip to the state playoffs, where they lost to rival Washington County in the first round. After the season, six of their players earned All-Region honors. Phillips was proud of all his players who earned All-Region recognition. “This group of guys was a big part of our steps forward,” Phillips told The Eatonton Messenger. “It will be hard to replace Tanner [Lukens], but the rest will be back next year and will be crucial in us continuing to grow.” Junior third baseman Jackson Dodd and junior outfielder Ethan Whatley were named to the All-Region first team. MORE EAGLES > B2 FILE PHOTO Ethan Whatley earned All-Region first- team honors. MORE GRIFFIN » B2
