US Open Contest at 16,000 plus
As the U.S. Open Contest passes 16,000 applicants, the essays take on certain themes.
One is, what I'd shoot and how I'd break 100. Our readers have lots of formulas. My favorite is "Bogey, bogey, double bogey; smile & repeat." That will result, as Dan from Portland, Oregon, put it, in "A Gretzky. A solid 99."
The second theme is loved ones nominating loved ones. Two of the latest and best:
I am nominating my husband, Dan, for this honor of a lifetime. He is an avid golfer, hits a very long drive, and has won a community golf challenge. He lives and breathes golf. We will be married for 40 years in June, and he has never missed a golf tournament on TV. He practices, plays, and practices more! Dan would be challenged. He'd play his heart out, and it would fulfill a lifelong dream to be in the midst of golf professionals. He has what it takes!
That's from Dan's wife in Algonquin, Illinois, who, as far as I can tell, is suggesting that they spend their 40th anniversary at Torrey Pines. And here is Sharon Lasnier of Falmouth, Mass.:
My husband John has been a golf fanatic his whole life. John was self-taught, and played competitive golf in high school and college. His passion for golf took second seat to raising our 4 children. Now that most of our children have grown, he?s been able to take up where he left off (yes, he?s in heaven!). He now plays as often as he can with our youngest son. This tournament would be a lifelong dream come true for a fabulous husband and father.
Theme three is the Rocky theme: triumph against all odds. Or, in the case of Ariel Manduley of Miami, the Rudy theme:
?You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin' and you have barely a speck of athletic ability... In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself." (Charles Dutton from Rudy) Known as Ariel ?BOOM-BOOM? Manduley, I can break 100 given my distance and short-game. My Golf Digest ?final-exam? would read ?Amateur shoots 92, Tiger speechless?. I would represent the Golf Digest and celebrities with respect. I too want to be carried of the golf course with everyone chanting ?BOOM-BOOM?.
Good luck to all.
--Bob Carney
12.29.07
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