April 28, 2005

COLUMBUS, OH — This beat reporter initially was working on an article about Captains Club member Greg Long and his bottom feeding at the rear of the On Tour Championship leader board.  I discovered something more salacious during my investigative reporting "accusations of sandbagging by Long"

Captains Club member Jason Dilks stated "There has never been a more obvious attempt at sandbagging. The highest score Greg shot for nine holes at last year's tournament was a 40. "Jeremy Myers echoed Dilks sentiment saying, "His [Greg's] performance is unexpected. It is hard for me to believe that Greg so desires the accolades of the Golden Jacket that he has stooped to such levels."  

Can any excuses be made on Long's part? Myers heatedly pointed out that "Greg will likely defend himself with excuses of, I have to watch my son. I've been very busy organizing the tournament." They are all poor excuses for a lack of integrity. "What can be done to resolve the situation? Myers offered "to have a very brief and pointed conversation with Mr. Long, he will improve afterwards."

One much respected member was anonymously quoted as saying, "Greg is totally famous for sandbagging his game, and then getting loud and obnoxious on the golf course by letting everyone know how well he is doing. Last year he even drove his ball into groups ahead of him with total disregard of others. The newly formed double secret probation Etiquette Committee of The Carl Spackler Open Championship is investigating "Greg's first round 'collapses' every year, but his shockingly good recovery on the second day to avoid and an Al Cervix sighting."  Something must be done about this sandbagging that places him in the middle of the pack."

Captains Club member Greg Long, the man in the middle of this firestorm, offered the following. "My volume of scorecards and last place position demonstrates the accuracy of the NOOG point system.  I am clearly playing the worst golf in probably 10 years.  My "last 10" average just went over 90 (bogey golf) two weeks ago.  That type of hacking puts me in a class with Bateson, McCauley, Fustich, Dilks, and Boland.  Rest assured, rock bottom has been achieved and scorecards cannot get worse." "Now, I clearly understand how bad someone must play (against the handicap) to have the last place position in a tournament of 23. Could my horrible numbers hold up with a field of 68 golfers? One thing is for sure. Over 3 days in June, one individual will experience a "club throwing" degree of frustration.  Something the likes never before seen in the history of tournament golf.

As for sandbagging, I am well aware that our handicapped tournament cannot be won by the originator of the NOOG point system." Touché!

Sandbagging or not sandbagging? Like Barry Bonds? steroid allegations?this is a heavy burden that Greg Long will have to bear for the rest of the season. A heavy burden indeed!