2019 Volunteers of America Classic Oct 03 - 06

[Argonne69]

**Race to the CME Globe:** 500 Points

 

**Format:** 72 holes

 

**Purse:** $1,300,000

 

**Location:** Old American Golf Club, The Colony, TX

 

**Par:** 71

 

**Yardage:** 6,475

 

**History:** This is the 7th year for the event. In 2018, Sung Hyun Park showed off the dazzling exhibition of golf that fans became accustomed to watching in 2017 on Sunday. She defeated Lindy Duncan by one stroke in the rain-shortened event.

 

**Coverage:**

 

Oct 03: The Golf Channel 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (ET)

Oct 04: The Golf Channel 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (ET)

Oct 05: The Golf Channel 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm (ET)

Oct 06: The Golf Channel 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm (ET)

 

 


 

 

[Stooch]

This event when early in the season always had weather problems, hopefully the later date lets have 4 rounds. I'm gonna pick Lucky6 as this weeks winner. She flew half way around the world to be here so she really must want it lol.

[Argonne69]

Fairly weak field with only 9 players in the Top 20 teeing it up (Sung Hyun, 6ix, Brooke, Inbee, Ariya, Sei Young, Hyo Joo, Lizette, and Hannah). TV coverage is as to be expected with a low purse event.

 

It looks like it's going to be a hot one with highs in the low 90's. There's a chance for a T-storm on Thursday afternoon, but otherwise it looks like we'll get a full four round event this year.

 

My pick this week is Brittany Altomare. She's the highest ranked player in the field without a win. She's due for a win. Yu Liu should also contend. She finished 3rd last year in the rain shortened event. I don't think one can rule out Sung Hyun, unless the winds pick up. She's got to be itching to make up for the missed cut at Indy.

 

[fredogolfer]

I plan on being there most of Friday and all day Saturday. Weather seems like it will be sunny and in the high 80s/low 90s. Highs this time of year should be high 70s/low 80s so unseasonable warm. They changed the course routing from last year. Last year # 1 was #10 and #18 was# 9, #10 was # 1. This year it seems there is an agreement with Tribute golf course which is different from Old American to use their clubhouse for the players. You'd never know there were 2 separate clubs just by looking at images from google maps.

Media coverage in the area has been minimal which of course always worries me for the future of the event. Their media day was also kind of strange. They had Gerina Piller and her husband talk about how they met and how they compete against each other, they had a beneficiary of some of the programs Volunteers of America runs speak, and the director of

Volunteers of America gave an awkward speech about a housing project VOA is working on in Texas. Very little was said about the event itself and there was little media present. This is the closest LPGA event to me, beating out Arkansas by about 30 extra minutes on the road so I want it to stay around.

Later this month, the event is hosting an event honoring the events' Korean winners and the local Korean business community. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many Koreans out last year when the event took place. It only makes sense to reach out to the communities who support this event.

I don't mind looking in on some players for you all but I definitely plan on trying to follow In Gee, Brooke, Sung Hyun, Ariya, Moriya, Inbee, Georgia, Charley, Gaby Lopez, Maria Fassi, In-Kyung Kim, Lucky 6, Sarah Kemp, and Aditi Ashok. By the way, there is also a large Indian community in the DFW area. I would say the highest concentration is in Irving but Plano, just east of The Colony, where the even takes place is a close second. If I get a chance, I may try to watch Paula for a few holes. Last year was also the first time I got to witness the Flying Dumbos and the Golf Attack Girls in person.

 

[Argonne69]

This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

 

Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

 

Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

 

[Stooch]

> @Argonne69 said:

> This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

>

> Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

>

> Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

>

 

Won't Pernilla's major win give her exempt status? If memory serves you get 3 or 5 years status for a major win.

[Argonne69]

> @Stooch said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

> >

> > Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

> >

> > Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

> >

>

> Won't Pernilla's major win give her exempt status? If memory serves you get 3 or 5 years status for a major win.

 

Yeah, I believe you're right. I really need another vacation. These senior moments are starting to come more frequently.

 

 

[Argonne69]

The Tribute is a cool course. I played Old American and The Tribute on the same day a few years ago. Quite different. The Tribute is a Scottish links style course. It has a replica of St Andrew's 17th (Road Hole) and 18th.

 

[https://google.com/maps/place/The+Colony,+TX/@33.0956248,-96.93647,399m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x864c3abcf8ce55d7:0x269ee19ee5d57124!8m2!3d33.0806083!4d-96.8928309?hl=en](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Colony,+TX/@33.0956248,-96.93647,399m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x864c3abcf8ce55d7:0x269ee19ee5d57124!8m2!3d33.0806083!4d-96.8928309?hl=en "https://google.com/maps/place/The+Colony,+TX/@33.0956248,-96.93647,399m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x864c3abcf8ce55d7:0x269ee19ee5d57124!8m2!3d33.0806083!4d-96.8928309?hl=en")

[North Texas]

In the Monday qualifier yesterday, a girl shot something like 114. I've got a call into my buddy whose wife caddied for a girl that played in the same group but haven't heard back.

[Stooch]

> @"North Texas" said:

> In the Monday qualifier yesterday, a girl shot something like 114. I've got a call into my buddy whose wife caddied for a girl that played in the same group but haven't heard back.

 

41 over par, tough day. Is there a handicap criteria for entering Monday Q?

[Titleist_PT23]

> @Stooch said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

> >

> > Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

> >

> > Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

> >

>

> Won't Pernilla's major win give her exempt status? If memory serves you get 3 or 5 years status for a major win.

It's Bucket #3 / 5 years. Pernilla and Angela Stanford can use this one for a while (Lang is currently in this bucket).

[18majors]

> @agolf1 said:

> > @Stooch said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

> > >

> > > Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

> > >

> > > Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

> > >

> >

> > Won't Pernilla's major win give her exempt status? If memory serves you get 3 or 5 years status for a major win.

> It's Bucket #3 / 5 years. Pernilla and Angela Stanford can use this one for a while (Lang is currently in this bucket).

 

@agolf1

 

We all learn; you're now quoting LPGA Priority List with ease.

Won't be long, may be LPGA commissioner next?

[ChronicSlicer]

> @Argonne69 said:

 

> Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

>

 

Well considering she has had 1 top ten in her last 43 events since that Major win, yeah, I could see how Q School could be calling. It's a shame she gets exemptions honestly. I won't tell you how I really feel,lol.

[North Texas]

> @Stooch said:

> > @"North Texas" said:

> > In the Monday qualifier yesterday, a girl shot something like 114. I've got a call into my buddy whose wife caddied for a girl that played in the same group but haven't heard back.

>

> 41 over par, tough day. Is there a handicap criteria for entering Monday Q?

 

Just got off the phone with my buddy. Said the girl wasn't having a bad day. She was just that bad. Said an official came up to the girl on the 6th hole that his wife was caddying for and told her that their group was 30 minutes behind the group in front of them. She told the official that this girl was on pace to shoot around 120 and that he needed to go talk to her. Said the official was incredulous and really didn't know what to do but did talk to her. They never did catch up.

[ChronicSlicer]

Flying completely under the radar with my pick of Jenny Shin. I look for Celine, Yu Liu and Kristen Gillman to top the board as well. Jane Park as my sleeper. Good luck Ladies, and drink plenty of Shiner to stay cool and maybe a few waters in between. B)

[Titleist_PT23]

> @18majors said:

> > @agolf1 said:

> > > @Stooch said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > This is an important tournament for the players near the Asian Swing "bubble", including In Gee, Xiyu, Georgia, Pornanong, Amy Olson, Jaye Marie, Sakura, Gerina, and Jodi.

> > > >

> > > > Also, the players near the 100th spot on the money list are looking to avoid Q-series: Angela, Peiyun, Dana, Hee Young, and Pernilla.

> > > >

> > > > Pernilla is an odd case. I don't recall a major winner having to go to Q school the year after their major victory.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Won't Pernilla's major win give her exempt status? If memory serves you get 3 or 5 years status for a major win.

> > It's Bucket #3 / 5 years. Pernilla and Angela Stanford can use this one for a while (Lang is currently in this bucket).

>

> @agolf1

>

> We all learn; you're now quoting LPGA Priority List with ease.

> Won't be long, may be LPGA commissioner next?

Considering I didn't know the CME and Asian swing qualifying the other day, I think I have a ways to go! Also, the tour is doing great these days, they don't need someone like me to drive it into the ground!

[Raving Shanker]

This could be one for the "best player not to have won on the LPGA", whoever that is. Angel Yin might be that player, but she's not in the field (I think). But the world's greatest golfing librarian, she of the high seas, Brittany Altomare, is! Then there is Ally McDonald, Yu Liu and Amy Olsen who all might be due. On the other hand, Lee6 is back after a break, and I feel she might be keen to reassert her superstar status. And what about MJ? Hur of the two victories in four starts. Can she go close again? Plenty of interest in this one for me. I just hope my fickle sports streaming provider decides to show it.

[AWinfortheAges]

Ariya Jutanugarn for the win.

[Argonne69]

> @AWinfortheAges said:

> Ariya Jutanugarn for the win.

 

Rough season. She's as due for a win as anyone.

 

[NCLancer]

I'll go with Canada's Sweetheart Brooke Henderson to win this week.

[Mellow]

Got high hopes and positive thoughts! Good things will happen.

 

fredogolfer, that sounds like a great and ambitious roll call to follow! Keep cool out there. I always feel bad for the gals at the high temp ones.

[Argonne69]

Any word on a delay? The first groups off should have teed off 50 minutes ago, and there's no update on the leaderboard.

 

[Stooch]

> @Argonne69 said:

> Any word on a delay? The first groups off should have teed off 50 minutes ago, and there's no update on the leaderboard.

>

 

I follow LPGA on twitter and they haven't said anything about it yet.

[Argonne69]

> @Stooch said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Any word on a delay? The first groups off should have teed off 50 minutes ago, and there's no update on the leaderboard.

> >

>

> I follow LPGA on twitter and they haven't said anything about it yet.

 

 

'Probably just (another) glitch in the website. The weather looks perfect, 79 degrees and sunny.

 

[Argonne69]

Looks like birdies are out there. Aditi leads at -5 after 12 holes. Amy Olson and Gaby trail by one shot. Charley and Sherman having a rough start, though, at +4 and +6.

 

[Argonne69]

Brittany within shouting distance of the lead. Nice to see In Gee at -4.

[mkuether]

I took my wife and two kids to the tournament today. It’s my first trip to this tournament on a Thursday so I can’t say if the crowds were lighter or heavier than normal, but it felt to me like a decent number of people were there given that It was a Thursday morning. As with last year we had a great time, but had to leave in the early afternoon as the conditions were brutal; there is little shade on the course and the sun felt particularly intense today even though I’m used to the Texas heat.

 

The course looked to be in great condition (the greens seemed to be rolling very pure) and having played it a few times I can say that’s one of the better tracks in the DFW area. Since we had kids we typically camped out in a location for a while before moving on to somewhere new so we got to see a lot of players. Every year I go I’m impressed with the quality of the play the LPGA, so many beautiful swings. I was really impressed seeing Brooke Henderson’s swing up close and personal, so much power in that swing that I had to take a nice slo-mo video of it for future reference. As always, the girls were a class act and were super nice interacting with my kids (my daughter got a ball from Ariya, definitely the highlight of her day).

 

On the flip side to that, I also saw easily the worst shot I have ever seen a professional golfer hit. Anne van Dam hit a straight up shank on #3 (176 yard par 3) that only traveled about 100ish yards total and ended up in an adjacent fairway (she was fortunate to have a clear shot after that). Made me realize that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself if even Solheim Cup players hit those from time to time.

 

I definitely hope this tournament continues in DFW as it’s great to have a home game that I can take my daughter to and grow her interest in golf. I’ve always had a great time there, even if it doesn’t attract a huge number of top players.

[Argonne69]

The course looked to be in great shape. A little dry in spots, but that's not unexpected. I hope the wind picks up a bit, as it's a major part of the course's defenses.

 

Some really good rounds today, and a few rotten ones as well. Quite surprised to see Stephanie at the top of the leaderboard. Her season has been just about as bad as it could be up to this point.

[musclefront]

> @mkuether said:

> I took my wife and two kids to the tournament today. It’s my first trip to this tournament on a Thursday so I can’t say if the crowds were lighter or heavier than normal, but it felt to me like a decent number of people were there given that It was a Thursday morning. As with last year we had a great time, but had to leave in the early afternoon as the conditions were brutal; there is little shade on the course and the sun felt particularly intense today even though I’m used to the Texas heat.

>

> The course looked to be in great condition (the greens seemed to be rolling very pure) and having played it a few times I can say that’s one of the better tracks in the DFW area. Since we had kids we typically camped out in a location for a while before moving on to somewhere new so we got to see a lot of players. Every year I go I’m impressed with the quality of the play the LPGA, so many beautiful swings. I was really impressed seeing Brooke Henderson’s swing up close and personal, so much power in that swing that I had to take a nice slo-mo video of it for future reference. As always, the girls were a class act and were super nice interacting with my kids (my daughter got a ball from Ariya, definitely the highlight of her day).

>

> On the flip side to that, I also saw easily the worst shot I have ever seen a professional golfer hit. Anne van Dam hit a straight up shank on #3 (176 yard par 3) that only traveled about 100ish yards total and ended up in an adjacent fairway (she was fortunate to have a clear shot after that). Made me realize that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself if even Solheim Cup players hit those from time to time.

>

> I definitely hope this tournament continues in DFW as it’s great to have a home game that I can take my daughter to and grow her interest in golf. I’ve always had a great time there, even if it doesn’t attract a huge number of top players.

 

Wow I thought she had the best swing on earth!? We are all human :)

[Argonne69]

Scoring this morning seems higher than yesterday. Winds are light, so I'm guessing the greens are starting to firm up.