Pop Quiz

Test your knowledge of 2008's "other" stories

By Ryan Herrington November 28, 2008

1. Course setup man Mike Davis received credit for doing what at the U.S. Open?

A) Holding the championship on a public course
B) Being flexible with where he put the tees on several holes
C) Preventing morning fog from delaying tee times
D) Making the USGA actually appear cool for a change

2. What was the LPGA Tour's most controversial move in 2008?

A) Taking over ownership of the LPGA Championship
B) Changing the firm that conducts the tour's drug tests
C) Considering implementation of an English-proficiency policy
D) Giving Carolyn Bivens a contract extension

3. Fact or Fiction: A golf Hall of Fame was opened in Uganda to honor the country's top players.

4. What prompted officials at Bay Hill to replace the greens prior to the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational?

A) The hantavirus
B) Nematodes
C) A drought
D) Sneaking suspicion the old ones wouldn't survive a wild hat-throwing celebration from the winner

5. Boo Weekley was stopped by airport security going to the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii for carrying what in his luggage?

A) Chewing tobacco
B) Camouflage rain gear
C) Bullets
D) A copy of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales

6. What was Phil Mickelson's explanation for not using a driver during the first two rounds at Torrey Pines?

A) "I wanted to put less stress on my short game by keeping the ball in the fairway off the tee."
B) "They weren't actually going to play the course at 7,643 yards."
C) "I had enough local knowledge not to need the club."
D) "Did you see how far left I hit my drive on 18 at Winged Foot?"

7. Which two legends did Tiger Woods pass on the all-time career victory list in 2008?

A) Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead
B) Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan
C) Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer
D) Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden

8. Fact or Fiction: PGA Tour caddies were banned from practice greens because of overcrowding.

9. Former Duke golfer Andrew Giuliani sought what when he filed a lawsuit against the school?

A) To get his spot back on the Blue Devils' roster
B) To have his tuition reimbursed
C) To regain access to the school's new state-of-the-art practice facility
D) To acquire front-row seats at Cameron Indoor Stadium for life

10. What two ailments did Padraig Harrington overcome in 2008?

A) Shingles
B) Sore wrist
C) Appendicitis
D) Separated shoulder from lifting major championship trophies

11. High winds nearly caused the R&A to suspend play during the British Open at Royal Birkdale because officials were concerned that:

A) Golf balls wouldn't stay at rest on the greens
B) Players wouldn't be able to reach the fairway on certain holes
C) TV camera operators wouldn't be able to follow shots off the tees
D) Anthony Kim's belt buckle might blow off and injure a spectator

12. What part of Paul Azinger's strategy was considered most critical in winning back the Ryder Cup for the U.S.?

A) Splitting his players into "pods" based on similar personality traits
B) Encouraging fans to become a "13th man" for the Americans
C) Tagging his squad with the underdog label
D) Getting Nick Faldo selected as European captain

13. Fact or Fiction: The PGA Tour set up seating for spectators to watch players be interviewed in the media center at the BMW Championship.

14. What person's verbal gaffe might have the most future ramifications?

A) Kelly Tilghman's "lynch" comment at the Mercedes-Benz Championship
B) Johnny Miller's jibe that Rocco Mediate looks "like the guy who cleans Tiger's swimming pool" at the U.S. Open
C) Nick Faldo's denouncement of Nike golf balls at the WGC-Accenture Match Play
D) Retief Goosen's implying that Tiger might have been faking how injured he was at Torrey Pines

15. What happened after LPGA pro Stacy Prammanasudh signed an endorsement with a beer company?

A) Her stroke average dropped a shot
B) Lost her equipment deal with Ping
C) She made her first TV commercial
D) She was voted the tour's most popular player at dozens of fraternity houses around the country

16. The man indicted for trying to steal Justin Leonard's identity was caught when he tried to do what?

A) Obtain a copy of Leonard's birth certificate
B) Pick up mail at the post office using a fake Leonard driver license
C) Sell golf balls with a bogus Leonard signature
D) Spray champagne from the balcony at Valhalla during the Ryder Cup victory celebration

17. What streak did not end in 2008?

A) Buddy Marucci going winless in USGA championships
B) Fred Couples making the cut at the Masters
C) Duke winning the NCAA women's championship
D) Michelle Wie getting disqualified from an event for a rules violation