July 20, 2001

COLUMBUS, OH — The only heckling that Greg Long will hear this weekend will be from himself.

Then again, this is the second of three meetings with Tom McCauley, where the Ohioan gets nothing but enthusiastic support and delivers nothing but dismal performances when matched up against T..

At 29, his chances for winning his second golden jacket are fading, but this time Tom will be coming to town for a 36 hole match.  The Players Club will hardly be the best place for Tom?s fortunes to return.  Last month, Slick finished birdie, birdie, par to lose a 36 hole match by two strokes.

Adding to Slick?s misery is a 4-month stretch without seeing the Top 15, ended only recently with his 75 and 76 scores in the last few weeks to put him at 14th. ?OK, I?m home sleeping in my bed this weekend,? he said. ?I always give one hell of an effort when T. is playing.  My Spring and Summer Opens are pretty poor, but I?m excited about playing.

He admits the pressure is not as great as it usually is for this event because has one more golden jacket in his closet than T..

T. has other ideas.  ?My own expectations have always been the same,? he said. ?I would not leave home if I did not thing I could win. Because I have not performed outside Louisville doesn?t mean I can?t win.? So, does he expect to win?

?That?s a difficult question,? he said. ?Ask me that Saturday night. And hopefully, that?s not on the phone.?

Still, golfing careers are measured by golden jackets, and all T. has to show for are a few good chances.

?I don?t feel I am running out of time,? T. said. The Spackler Open has just started and I?m only 29 years young.  ?I?m a better golfer now that I was, and hopefully much more experienced. We?ll see.?

Rick Dosky will accompany Slick and T. on their journey this Saturday at the Player's Club.  The Players has always been the place where everyone plays their worst golf.  With Rick as a rookie to the Players and his average at 110, an OlaFowble-like 138 is not out of reach.  However, the Players Club water and woods are sure to eat up at least ball.