The LIV Tour keeps bringing in big-name people.

David Feherty has left NBC to become a commentator for LIV events. He is a master golf storyteller who can make humorous remarks about almost anything. The LIV Tour obviously offered him far more than he made with NBC, which a few years back gave Fenerty a hefty raise to leave CBS.

Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist

There is a report that sportscaster Gary McCord is prepared to join the LIV Tour broadcast team.

Then there is the 48-man field for the July 29-31 LIV event, currently being played in New Jersey at Bedminster on that facility’s 36-hole Donald Trump course. This writer has played there, and it is a magnificent track.

Making their LIV Tour debuts there are Jason Kokrak and Henrik Stenson. In order to do this, Stenson had to step down as captain of the European Ryder Cup team, which had to be a huge decision. Paul Casey is another veteran golfer who has agreed to play on the LIV Tour.

The Stenson move, in particular, shows that in golf, big money talks.

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Financial backing for all of this comes from Saudi Arabia, which has a Public Investment Fund.

An examination of the LIV Tour roster revealed that there are a lot of relatively unknown players who have signed to play. Probably half of that list includes players you never have heard of. But there are some pretty well-known names among the 48 who are playing at Bedminster, and not all of them are past their prime.

Along with a signing bonus (Phil Mickelson received a reported $200 million), every golfer has a chance to win a $4 million championship prize. Once again, this proves that money talks to professional golfers, just like it does to everyday folks.

*****

Ruby Haylock of Turner Highlands (70-72-77—219) captured the Maine Women’s Amateur championship July 19-21 at Portland, to the surprise of no one.

Four other Turner Highlands members were among the 46 players who made the Women’s Amateur cut. Heidi Haylock (85-82-80—247) finished ninth, while Morgan Dutil (82-87-83—252) was 17th. Jade Haylock (94-88-84—266) tied for 31st, and Alex McCormick (91-87-90–268) tied for 33rd. Congratulations to Turner Highlands, which has become a prominent women’s golf course.

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Additional area players who made the cut were: Carol Burnham of Martindale (89-83-92—264), who was 28th, Micki Meggison of Spring Meadows (90-88-90—268) tied for 33rd and Danielle Rock of Martindale (94-86-89—269), who tied for 37th.

*****

Turner Highlands continued its in-state dominance of female golf at Dutch Elm on July 26-27 during the Maine Junior Championship.

Ruby Haylock (77-77—154) ran away with the 16-18 girls crown, while her sister, Jade Haylock (87-80—157), took the 14-15 title with her Turner Highlands “teammate” Alexis McCormick (85-85—170) finishing second.

*****

The Maine State Golf Association is conducting its Mixed Championship on Sunday at Fairlawn.

The Match Play Invitational is Aug. 1-3 at Falmouth.

Men’s Play Days are Aug. 1 at Martindale, and Aug. 5-6 at Lakewood. Women’s Play Days are Aug. 2 at Fogg Resort and Norway.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 10th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.


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