SPORTS
Facts & Figures
Dates: June 12-15. Site: Oakmont Country Club, suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Length: 7,349 yards 70 PAGE 7 SECTION E THURSDAY, JUNE 12,Par: 2025 Cut: Top 60 and ties. Playoff (if necessary): Two-hole aggregate immediately after 72 holes are completed. Field: 156 players. Purse: TBA. Last year: $21.5 million. Defending champion: Bryson DeChambeau. Last year: Bryson DeChambeau got McIlroy Scottie Scheffler Phil Mickelson up-and-down from 55 yards away in a bunker, making a 4-foot putt for a 1-over 71 and a one-shot victory over Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst No. 2. McIlroy had By BRENT STUBBS the lead late in the round but bogeyed Chief Sports Editor three of his last four holes. That included bstubbs@tribunemedia.net missing a 30-inch par putt on the 16th hey still haven’t feet on hole and a par puttBy justBRENT inside 4STUBBS found out where Chief Sports Editor the last hole. DeChambeau captured his and when they bstubbs@tribunemedia.net second U.S. Open. will play their American N Zone Four Tie, but the36 holes of qualifying, just for a shot at Oakscoring record at Winged Foot (274) and AFTER about a 19-year Last time at Oakmont: Dustin Johnson Bahamas men’s Davis Cupmont. won by six in the 2020 U.S. Open. Now he is hiatus, the Bahamas closed with a 1-under 69 to rally from aCycling team is making sure they Xander Schauffele has only finished out of the defending champion and ready to match Federation returned to atwill Rory McIlroy is be ready when the time four-shot deficit and won his first major in Exuma to host its National muscles with Oakmont. Only five players the top 10 once in his eight U.S. Opens. He comes. ters champion and the Cycling Championships the 2016 U.S. Open. He won by three shots in the last 100 years have won the U.S. Open of Denalihas yet to see Oakmont, but its reputation is over the weekend. n 25The yearsquartet to join the after getting a two-shot penalty after the Nottage, Michael Major Jr,enough for him to realize what to expect. back-to-back. And, according to secusive list of players with Donte Armbrister and Kofi “It’s just a battle. It really is,” Schauffele said. final round for his ball moving on the fifth retary general Barron OrBowe that Scottie Schefcontinue to work green. “Turbo” Musgrove - the THE FIELD Scheffler made his U.S. Open debut as a outastogether at the John self the best player event organiser they had The U.S. Open boasts the most democratic The money line (BetMGM Sportsbook): McEnroe Tennis Center at19-year-old sophomore at the University the greatest participation of Baha Mar in anticipationof Texas. He shot 69 in the first round, then field of all the majors, with roughly 45 percent Scottie Scheffler, +300; McIlroy, in action juniorRory competitors asofeveryone’s attention missed the cut. Now he is a three-time major the tie. ever, not just from of players going through 36 holes of qualify+700; Bryson DeChambeau, +800; JonExuma, At yesterday’s session, mont. but New Providence and champion, fresh off his five-shot victory in ing. That includes Mason Howell, a 17-yearRahm, +1100; Xander Schauffele, they built were isall upbeat Grand Bahama.+1600. ownes tough as as old high school junior who had rounds of they went through a vigor-the PGA Championship and facing the stern“We had the NationGrand slammed: This is Phil Mickelson’s ways been.session, The lastalbeitest test yet. ous has training 63-63 without a bogey to qualify. It also feaals in Exuma some 18-19 final year of eligibility for the U.S. Open. 0 at a U.S. Open wasor by capwithout a coach years ago and so, as the tures Harrison Ott at No. 2,651 in the world tain as the Bahamas Lawn keeping him fromits theredeIt is the only majorfederation kmont in 1927. The starts SCHEFFLER SOARING rankings. And then there’s the Indianapolis Tennis Association has yet velopment programme career Grand Slam and he has not finished close since then? Also dentist, Matt Vogt, a former Oakmont caddie. The freak injury Scheffler suffered when to name one. The Bahamas, better than a tie forthroughout 28th in his 10 previous For each player, it’s justhe tried cutting ravioli with a wine glass and The last player to win the U.S. Open after havwe are going to host the a matter of making sure ave to do much to attempts at gettingNationals the last leg. in various islands ing to qualify was Lucas Glover in 2009. punctured his right hand might have set that they stick together where it is possible them The toughest test in Noteworthy: Oakmont is hosting thefor U.S. and practice together ashim back at the start of his season. He is in to accommodate us,” MusREADY TO RUMBLE: From left to right, Davis Cuppers Denali Nottage, Kofi Bowe, Michael Major Jr and Donte Armbrister. PHIL FAREWELL? a team, despite all of thefull stride going into the U.S. Open. SchefOpen for the 10th time, most of any grovethe said. the U.S. Open for the uncertainties. and the past few weeks, Bowe,made considered the debut And Majorcourse. Jr, who also flergetting has wonbetter three of hisbetter last fourover tournaments Phil Mickelson his U.S. Open “We hosted the Nation“The practices have been day by day,” said Nottage, they have been putting in rookie member of the secured his spot on the 5, and there’s a reason als for the past two years in combined 17 shots. That includes the in 1990, one year after McIlroy was born. going great. We’re justby awho Television (all times EDT): Thursday, sits right now as the the work together. Davis Cup team, said he’s team in December, said Grand Bahama and so now re more than any other PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. A vicOnly one of them has the career Grand Slam. top seeded player on the “We’ve been practicing, just thrilled to be making they have been putting in 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (USA Network), 5 p.m. over the next four years, we toryteam at Oakmont send him to the Britis 0-for-33 in the U.S.a Open, by virtuewould of winning working on our Mickelson chemis- his debut with such tal- aand lot of solid to work on (Peacock); and will be looking attothe vari8 p.m. Friday, 6:30 a.m. aces in our game BLTA’s annual Giorgio so career when we gothis off,might we be ented group of at players, off the court to ensure they ish the Open next month for a shot try, at the ous Family Islands to host it his last chance age 54. His 1 p.m. (Peacock), 1and p.m.we to started 7 p.m. (NBC), Baldacci Tennis Tournawill be able to represent whom he’s been around are ready. “We’re trying to in Exuma.” e first tee and you look Grand Slam. five-year exemption from winning the 2021 ment in December. the country to the best of since he started playing train as hard 7as we can,” p.m. to 8 p.m. (Peacock); Saturday, 10 With more than 40 junior , and it’s just meant to PGA Championship runs out this year. he Hesaid. “We’ve been testAlthough it’s not known our abilities,” said Armtennis. competitors, Musgrove a.m. to noon (USA Network), noon to 8 said BACKbrister, who just graduated kmont is that place. It already accepted special from exactly howBRYSON they willISplay “It’s one been goodexemption since ing our bodies and testing the competition was keenly Sunday,contested 9 a.m. to in noon p.m. during Nottage, this toughyear from Hampton this has beenhea won yearthe since so(NBC); that we en,” said John BodenThe(USA Forest in For all thethe talktie, about Oakmont’s the USGA right before PGA,our endurances who plays on the pro cirUniversity. I played in college,” said can be in the best possible Network), noon to 7 p.m. (NBC). Mount Thompson. pionships officer for the ness, Winged Foot in New York is another and that counts. Seve Ballesteros is the only cuit, said they have decided There are some light- Bowe, who graduated last shape when we go.” According to Musgrove, brute a U.S.on Open test.douThat’s where to have more C than one speto ofwork their heartedBryson momentsplayer during yearreceived from Johnson Smith Home for the summer gravel and mountain bikes e best in the world, and DeChambeau off the and but cial blasted away without“In having U.S. Howard University bles strategies during the thetee practices, theyexemption are University. the won pastthefrom were used to enhance CONTENT BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS the practices. alsoHeintense, college DESIGN BY ADAMS PUBLISHING GROUP/PAGINATIONsimilar CENTER competition, to wedges out of the rough. set the according rs willing to go through powered Open.to couple of months I’ve had where he’s playing
Davis Cup team is ‘better day by day’
Teeing It Off T
CYCLING NATIONALS HOSTED IN EXUMA AFTER 19-YEAR HIATUS
YEAR’S U.S. OPEN IS ON TOUGHEST COURSE IN GOLF
VLASOV FLIES HIGH IN NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER – PAGE 5
“We’re training every day, but we’re just hoping that we don’t end up playing on clay because that could throw us off a bit,” said Nottage as they currently train on hard courts. For Armbrister, who earned his spot during the recent tournament this year at the NTC as well to complete the team, said
Armbrister, which makes each session that much tougher. “Every practice, we’re here giving it our all,” he said. “For this level, we will probably play in the summer, so we have some time. We just need to make sure that we are ready as a team.”
some hard training with these guys. “And every day, it seems we’re getting stronger and stronger as a team. This is a good group of guys. We have been around since we were juniors and now we are getting a chance to play at the highest level for the country. So I’m proud to be on the team with them.”
tennis, Major Jr said they can only control the things they can control, so they can’t worry about when and where they will play. “We just have to put in as much work as we can so we will be ready when we get the call,” he said. “But the guys are looking solid. We can’t wait to get out there and play.”
what has been done by the New Providence Amateur Cycling Association in their events in New Providence. Musgrove said the competition was very good with Kevin Daley winning the 72-mile race overall in three hours, 43 minutes and six seconds.
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ELITE SKILL BASKETBALL Mark Lawrie meets CAMP TO WELCOME ‘A with stakeholders in the NEW WAVE OF ATHLETES’ Bahamas Golf Federation By Miguel Fernander
WITH summer around the corner, Denykco Bowles’ Elite Skill Basketball Camp is once again preparing to welcome a new wave of athletes offering far more than just shooting drills and layups. For youngsters between the ages of four and 18, this four-week programme running from June 23 to July 18 offers professional training, life skills development and a safe community-oriented setting.
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IN his bid to help improve the growth of the sport in the country, Mark Lawrie met with various stakeholders in the Bahamas Golf Federation yesterday. The meetings, which took place at the BGF’s Driving Range and NineHole Golf Course at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, were considered to be very productive. BGF’s first vice president Anthony Hinsey facilitated the meetings with members of the Flamingos Golf Club, the 242 Golf Academy, the University of the Bahamas and the Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy. Lawrie, the regional managing director of the Latin America & Caribbean of R&A, the governing body for the sport, said he was pleased with every meeting that took place. “I think there’s a genuine interest from all of the stakeholders in The Bahamas to move it a notch up,” Lawrie said. “There’s obviously one underlying factor they are
MARK LAWRIE, centre, met with various stakeholders in the Bahamas Golf Federation yesterday. Photo: Nikia Charlton all experiencing and that is Lawrie, who is in town “So I really enjoy what I gaining access to the local until the weekend, said heard from him. golf courses. We are aware he has been impressed “Fourteen Clubs intends of this and we are hoping from what he’s seen in The to work closely with the that we will be able to Bahamas and he’s looking BGF and we will discuss help. But we need to get forward to making the rec- bringing in more individupeople on the golf courses ommendation to bring one als for coaching so that we to be able to get hooked on or two of their major inter- can develop more coaches and become golfers.” national competitions here so that they can expand in Once the BGF can grow in the future. both the Family Islands its numbers to over 700 Ahmal Hen- and in our school system.” registered golfers, The field, representing University of the BahaBahamas has the potential Fourteen Clubs, said the mas’ golf head Fred to broaden its horizons. meeting with Lawrie was Taylor said the meeting Lawrie said R&A will be very informative. was very enlightening making a contribution for “We got some clarity for him, athletic director its improvement to allow and some good ideas on Kimberly Rolle and sports more local competitors to how we can develop the participate. sport here,” Henfield said. SEE PAGE E7
For only $99 a week, participants get first rate instruction from 9am to 2pm, covering everything from ball-handling and shooting strength training and conditioning. “We offer top service and training for our children,” said Bowles, who noted that he has a crew of talented instructors to assist him. “They’re not only learning basketball basics and complex skills, but also life lessons that assist them to
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THE SPORTS June CALENDAR NPSA SOFTBALL AFTER taking a break for the long holiday weekend, the New Providence Softball Association is scheduled to resume its regular season this weekend in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Thursday 7:30pm - Gremlins vs Titans - 9pm - Platinum Food Services vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats
Saturday 6pm - Bowe vs Reloaded Players 7:30pm - Renegades vs Chances Mighty Mitts 9pm - Sunshine Auto Wildcats vs Black Scorpions BASEBALL NPBA ACTION AFTER taking a break for the long holiday weekend, the New Providence Amateur
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