Author: David Shama

The 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club attracted about twice the TV audience locally on the final day of the championship as compared with the last day in 2007.  Among the numbers were a 7.5 rating and 20 share in 2008 versus 3.6 and 10 in 2007.

Major League baseball is partially through an announcement process of the Hall of Famers who will be honored during a special pre-game on-field ceremony prior to the 79th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15from Yankee Stadium in New York.  It’s being billed as the largest gathering of baseball stars in history and the list includes former Twins Harmon Killebrew and Dave Winfield.

The Twins finished 2008 Interleague competition with a record of 14-4 after winning two of three games from Milwaukee over the weekend.  The Twins are 120-90 all-time in Interleague play.  Since the beginning of 2006, they are 41-13 while winning 15 of the 18 series.  The Twins have been winners of five straight series and have won five of their last seven series versus Milwaukee.

The Twins, who defeated Detroit last night, have won 14 of their last 17 games. Their starting pitchers are 11-2, with a 3.00 ERA in those 17 games.

Twins’ first baseman Justin Morneau has hit safely in 19 of his last 22 games since June 8. During that period he has hit .368 (32-for-87) with nine multi-hit games and the Twins are 14-7.

Canterbury Park’s Extreme Race Day is Sunday, July 20 and includes exhibitions of camel and ostrich racing.  The public can’t wager on the races.

Larry Fitzgerald, who covers local sports in print, radio and TV, recently did a one-on-one interview with David Stern, the NBA’s commissioner since 1984.  In an e-mail to Sports Headliners Fitzgerald described Stern as a “man very much in control of the NBA and proud of the league’s growth under his leadership.”

Former Vikings head coach Jerry Burns: “I am sorry to say my golf game is deteriorating on a daily basis.  I am one step from picking up a fishing pole to see if my luck is better there.”

Burns, who was an assistant coach at Iowa in the 1950’s and head coach from 1961-65, will attend a Hawkeye reunion this fall for the 1958 Iowa Rose Bowl team.  After living in the Minneapolis area for 40 years, and developing friends with Gopher ties, Burns said he’s more partial to the Gophers now than Iowa.

Gopher football recruit Sam Maresh underwent successful heart valve replacement surgery at Mayo Clinic last week and the Maresh family will post updates about Sam’s treatment and recovery on https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sammaresh.

The Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game, won by the Metro over the Outstate 22-17 last Saturday, will be televised beginning at 7 p.m. tonight  (Wednesday) on FSN North, according to Vikings.com.  The Vikings and FSN are “partnering” to make the telecast possible.

Gopher football coach Tim Brewster attended the annual Bruce Smith Golf Classic recently at Faribault Golf Club.  The event raises money for the Faribault community and is named after Faribault native Bruce Smith, the only Gopher ever to win the Heisman Trophy and to inspire a Hollywood movie, “Smith of Minnesota.”  Event chair Bruce Krinke reported via e-mail that he expects with this year’s revenues the 19 year total for the event will be over $150,000.

Thunder general manager Djorn Buchholz told Sports Headliners recently that work is ahead of schedule in preparing the National Sports Center Stadium for a home game against Carolina on July 11. The track at the NSC stadium field is being removed so the playing surface will be 80 feet closer to the grandstand.

“I think they’re thrilled.”  That was Dave Mona’s reply as to how he thought USGA officials viewed the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open experience at Interlachen Country Club.

Mona, a local co-chair for the event, said yesterday that a final total wasn’t available, but he expected gross ticket revenues to set an all-time record for a women’s Open. The total attendance for the seven days is expected to be between 120,000 to 130,000, one of the highest totals in Open history.  Mona didn’t have a dollar figure but he also said merchandise sales set a record.

He also told Sports Headliners that USGA officials believe the economic benefit from the championship to this area will be $20 million.  For hosting the championship, Interlachen is expected to receive over $1 million after taxes.

“They love the course,” Mona said of USGA officials.  “Most of them love the old tree-lined courses (like Interlachen).”

The players approved of the course, too, according to Mona, describing it as demanding, yet fair.  They could get a “true read” on their putts, despite the difficult greens.

Mona and others began helping with Open planning more than three years ago.  “The two things you worry about are weather and transportation,” he said.

Rain and threatening weather held down the attendance some but for the Thursday-Sunday rounds crowds exceeded 20,000 each day.  As for transportation, a friend told Mona his bus ride from the Southdale parking lot to the course was 12 minutes.  Shuttles for spectators, volunteers and media eliminated traffic problems.

Mona said the Open had the support of 3,200 volunteers who provided extraordinary service and judgment.  Problems?  “Nothing,” he said.  “It’s been just amazing. …”

The spectators drew praise, too, for not only their turnout but manners.  They applauded a field of players that included past champions Cristie Kerr and Annika Sorenstam, and 2008 winner Inbee Park, the 19-year-old from South Korea.  Plus, Minnesotans showed their commitment to the environment.  Mona said litter was minimal and he heard that on Thursday there was more recycling poundage than garbage.

What’s next for Interlachen, a course that has hosted a men’s U.S. Open and Solheim Cup?  Mona said it’s probably time to just catch a “breath.”  Savor the success.

Playing host to the Open only adds to Interlachen’s reputation as being the most in-demand club to join in the area.  Sources say there is a multi-year wait to join and the initial membership cost is six figures.  Mona said disruption to the course was minimal and that members will be able to play it tomorrow or Wednesday.