“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.

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Wild assistant general manager Tommy Thompson told Sports Headliners earlier this month that the franchise doesn’t “intend” to lose forward Marian Gaborik who becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season.  Expectations are that the Wild will try to sign Gaborik to a long term contract this year.

That will be good news for a franchise that seems stalled out in contract negotiations with another valuable player, soon to be (July 1) unrestricted free agent forward Brian Rolston.  If Rolston, 35, who was second  on the team in goals (31 versus Gaborik at 42) doesn’t come back, that’s bad news.  Losing Gaborik, 26, who is coming off his best season in goals, assists and points, would be double bad news, the kind of headline that leads the local 10 p.m. newscasts.

“Well, we don’t intend to lose him,” Thompson said.  “Having said that, any hockey player, you have to be prepared to lose him.  Not necessarily through free agency.  It’s a dangerous game.  Guys can tear up their knee. …Hurt their back and they can’t play any more.  So you have to be able to survive the loss of anybody. …We don’t intend to have that happen with him.”

No one has to explain Gaborik’s importance to Thompson.  “I think Marian has been a very valuable person to us,” he said. “He’s scored big goals.  He’s made big plays.  He’s opened up the entire ice which makes it easier for other people to play, and he’s excited the fans. So he’s been a very valuable guy for us.”

Thompson said there’s as much or more parity in the NHL now than ever.  That means retaining a rare talent like Gaborik is vital to the Wild’s competitiveness in future seasons.

No team has repeated as Stanley Cup champions since Detroit, 1997 and 1998.  “I think it will be difficult to do that,” Thompson said.  “It’s just such a grind at 82 (regular) season games.  And to be honest…there’s more teams that do a real good job in the coaching, and the managing, and the scouting then there used to be.  It’s harder (to repeat).  Sure it is.”

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From the Saturday Memphis Commercial Appeal Web site talking about the eight player trade between the Wolves and Memphis: “The Grizzlies obtained (O.J.) Mayo and riffraff from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love, Mike Miller and riffraff.”

Former Timberwolves guard Marko Jaric, traded last week to Memphis, is now engaged to Victoria’s Secret supermodel Adriana Lima, according to various media reports.

The Big Ten Conference had only three players chosen during the two rounds of last week’s NBA draft, Eric Gordon and D.J. White from Indiana, and Kosta Koufos of Ohio State.  The Pac 10 Conference had seven players chosen in the first round, five in the second.  Twelve of the 60 players drafted were from the Pac 10. 

The Twins’ Kevin Slowey made his sixth career Interleague start and improved his record to 4-1, with a 2.35 ERA after he pitched a nine inning, three hit shutout of Milwaukee yesterday.  Slowey’s season record is 5-6.

Deolis Guerra, the 18-year-old pitcher the Twins acquired in the Johan Santana trade, leads the Class AA Ft. Myers Miracle in wins with a 7-4 record.  His ERA is 4.84 and he has struck out 42 in 74.1 innings.  Relief pitcher Anthony Slama, 24, has a 0.43 ERA and has struck out 73 batters in 42.2 innings.

President Doug Risebrough wrote on the Wild Web site that his daughter Allison works for the Ottawa police force.

The Minnesota Thunder lost two games against the Islanders over the weekend in Puerto Rico.  Next up is a game in Atlanta on Thursday night.  The Thunder, 4-6-4, then plays 10 of its last 15 games at home.

The Thunder are in sixth place in the USL.  “After these road trips we have a chance to make a move in the standings,” Thunder general manager Djorn Buchholz told Sports Headliners last week.

He thinks the Thunder can be one of seven teams in the 11-team USL to make the playoffs. That would be a franchise first since 2004.

The Thunder is averaging less than a goal a game.  “We have to get better in the offensive third of the field,” Buchholz said.

St. Thomas junior Katie Theisen and Bethel senior Nikki Umhoefer have been named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America Second Team for women’s cross country and track and field, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

 

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