May 26, 2004

DUBLIN, OH — You would not think golf even mattered if you spent enough time with rookie Matt Pritchard.  So unimportant that all you might see is style, etiquette, and nicely ironed shorts.  At least that is his goal.

"A player is judged on the first tee", said Pritchard from a local course in Columbus area.  "I have seen players shoot scratch and all people remember is the tee-shirt and wrinkled pants.  When your young, very accurate, and only hitting it 175 yards with the driver, you really need to get distractions in place."  

Matt has been struggling with driver and vows to solve the problem immediately.  The problem is reportedly putting 4-iron in his hands instead of the higher percentage 9-iron on approach shots.  "I figure spending my money on style is guaranteed and lessons are not.  I hope these guys get distracted with my wonderful appearance and near perfect etiquette.  God knows that my driving distance is embarrassing."  

Matt shot 47/45 last Sunday at Bent Tree Golf Club and is averaging 30 points in his only two rounds this season.  A concerned Pritchard continued, "I actually have conversations all the time where players think I am good.  They must be distracted by something or just being nice.  Sometimes players congratulate me on hitting it down the middle, but I also think they tell dumb blondes that they are pretty."

In two weeks, Matt travels to Winston-Salem as he enters his first major championship in 34 years.  But Spackler galleries are notorious for its raucous, beer-drinking galleries and might not be as easy to persuade.  One thing is for sure...  He will be looking his best.