Well, the boys of summer are back at it, unfortunately without the roar of the crowds. For those of us couch potatoes who view golf from the comfort of our homes during the pandemic’s ‘stay-at-home’ orders, it reduces the madness of being confined to a short leash. eSouthernGOLF is also back in full swing providing our subscribers and readers the latest news on everything golf.

Since restarting the PGA schedule, there has been some great golf played. A Florida boy resurrected his game at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Daniel Berger won the inaugural restart at Colonial C.C. in Fort Worth, Texas, defeating Collin Morikawa in a playoff. Webb Simpson followed suit at Harbor Town Golf Links to capture the postponed RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C, while Dustin Johnson extended his winning ways for thirteen consecutive years by taking home the Traveler’s Championship money. Congratulations DJ!

In July Bryson(the hulk) DeChambeau finally figured out how to control his extra length acquired during the layoff to Rocket to first at the Detroit Golf Club. Collin Morikawa garnered his second PGA Tour victory at the Workday Charity Open at Muirfield defeating Justin Thomas in a playoff and Spaniard Jon Rahm took the Gray Jacket at the Memorial also at Muirfield to leap to #1 in the world. One would have thought that the PGA TOUR would have chosen another venue from the many canceled locations that will miss out on the funds a tournament even without fans brings to their community. A slight I am afraid some will not forget.

The biggest surprise of the shortened season thus far came at the 3M Open at TPC-Twin Cities in Minnesota when veteran Michael Thompson won for the second time on the PGA TOUR with a two-stroke lead. It was heartwarming to see the Birmingham, Alabama resident take the winning trophy considering his last win was at the Honda in 2013.

If you don’t know by now, golf is an acceptable sport to play during the pandemic because all of the courses that stayed open have taken the social distancing to heart and made sure the course is doing all it can to provide players with a safe environment. At my club, Stonegate at Solivita in Poinciana, Florida where we have two championship courses, the management has closed the semi-private club to outside play and only allows members and residents to play. Residents who had been going to other courses before covid-19 and are now staying at home and playing here regularly, enjoying some fun opportunities and golf games provided by Director of Golf Claude Eastwood. For someone who travels to courses for stories and now staying around the house, it has been fun for me to play with my fellow residents these past 5 months.

I hope you are safe and well. Go Play!