Zach Johnson makes "big charge" at John Deere Classic, now off to British Open

The Gazetteonline article titled Zach Johnson makes big charge at John Deere Classic highlights the final 36 holes finished on July 12, 2009 at the TPC at Deere Run. Zach Johnson finished tied for 2Nd at this year's event.

The Open Championship will be held at Turnberry July 16-19, 2009.

The LPGA crowned its 2009 Women's US Open Champion this weekend.

For the PGA's take on Turnberry and for TV coverage for the 2009 Open Championship.

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Three rounds down, final round to go for 2008 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament

It's not the PGA or a top notch Pro-Am golf event, but the 2008 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament will wrap up in Cedar Rapids on Friday. A great youth golf opportunity held annually here in Cedar Rapids.

• Round One, Monday at Gardner GC
• Round Two, Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Country Club
• Round Three, Wednesday at Hunters Ridge GC
• Round Four, Friday at Elmcrest Country Club

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The City of Cedar Rapids needs some Management

What is the City Council of the City of Cedar Rapids thinking these days?

Today's Gazette front page headline reads "Golf Slice". The online version reads "Council to discuss selling Twin Pines Golf Course" or at least part of the 155 acre golf course.

Clearly, the article points out mismangement in the City's current golf department operations. It appears the City Manager is now testing the City's stewardship responsibilities as he nears his first year in our community.

As one council member stated, it is appropriate to review City assets and determine how to best use them. Further, how best to provide services is another important factor.

So, what is with the trail balloons coming out from the City Manager and one of council members prior to the review?

I am concerned when the City appears to be putting the cart before the horse. Why stir up the emotions within the community with trial balloons prior to going through a thoughtful review process. Let's review our City assets. Let's determine how to best use them.

We have an outstanding community. Quality of life is a very important and does impact economic development and jobs. Recreation services are important for our community. If you survey golfers in the community (ie: taxpayers and citizens), you likely will find many wanting the City to outsource management of the golf courses to professional contractors.

You don't have to go outside Linn County to get good feedback. The article pointed out when they asked Marion Mayor John Nieland, "saying he'd keep the course and turn it over to private management before selling it for some other purpose.He noted he can play more cheaply before 10 a.m. at Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion and St. Andrew's Golf Club in Cedar Rapids, both private courses, than at Twin Pines."

The City Council needs to get there ducks in a row. Outsourcing management is likely going to be discussed here in the future, as the City Manager floated during the completion of the City's management restructuring. The Golf Courses lend themselves to a good option for a new management structure. Efficiency and better management should be seeked first, before selling City assets.

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Golf fans and Fans of Zach Johnson may want to pick up the next issue of Golf Magazine

Cedar Rapids' very own, Zach Johnson, will be on the cover of the upcoming issue of Golf Magazine. The July 2007 issue will feature insight from Zach and more. Check it out at newsstands soon.

The Masters Champion exclusive will talk about how to "Make More Birdies" in an article for Golf Magazine.

Highlights include:

• How to control your wedge
• Make the putts that count
• Stiff your full irons

Further, the magazine will have a British Open Preview.

Both Zach Johnson and NFL pro QB Kurt Warner are graduates of the former Regis High School in Cedar Rapids. Regis is no longer a high school, but former high school has two famous athletes (Johnson and Warner) and one infamous celebrity of late (A-Rod's girlfriend).

The new Catholic high school in Cedar Rapids, Xavier, will celebrate it's 10th anniversary this fall. Former Catholic high schools, Regis and LaSalle, are now used as Catholic middle schools in Cedar Rapids.

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