RORY SPEARS
(18TH TEE BOX ERIN HILLS)
 PHOTO BY AUSTIN ROESCH

 IT'S MONDAY AND TIME FOR RANTS, RAVES AND MORE.

STARTING OUT TODAY...I am thrilled that 2011 Team USA Walker Cup
Captain Jim Holtgrieve, will join us on the Golfers on Golf Radio show
Tonight at  6 PM (Jim's on at 6:30) WJJG-AM 1530 www.wjjgam1530.com
on line.

 I had a great time talking with Jim on Saturday at the Western Amateur
at Northshore, he's a true gentleman and the perfect choice to lead
Team USA for the Walker Cup. Our players will come away from this
competition better players and people as well.

CBS AND JIM NANTZ WHAT GIVES...with these endless Tigers back
promos for last weekend..your killing us and your audience too. CBS
apparently has not learned that golf does not resolve around one guy
anymore. You have to cover everyone, because there is a lot of talent
out there. Golf hasn't been this exciting in years, everyone is in the hunt
now. What hurt the sport was all that focus on one player, little by little
these days, that fades and the game is better for it.

APPARENTLY THE FOLKS AT ESPN STILL DON'T GET IT, they still
want to make a big deal out of one person. Boy it's a good thing
they don't do a lot of golf coverage. I hear that someone at CBS
Sportsline wrote a column yesterday ripping Stevie Williams for
his well timed comments. That's poor on Sportsline part, trying
to save face since they are broadcasting this weeks PGA, and
will probably try to kill it's audience again by promoting one guy.

WORLD #30 AND SINKING LIKE A ROCK...when World #30 was
was #1, can you name who was world #30 then. I didn't think so,
because nobody talked about that person. The same rules should
apply now.

I'VE WRITTEN BEFORE..that I haven't always been a big fan of
Steve Williams. Little by little he gains respect. Good for him
to say what he did on Sunday. If that's the way he feels he
should say it. Here's hoping you and Adam Scott your new boss
when another big tournament soon. In case anyone missed
it, Williams said post victory on Sunday at Bridgestone. "This
was the best week of my life and my biggest win, " speaks
volumes doesn't it. Scott and Williams beat World #30 by
18 shots, in case you missed that too.

THIS WEEKS PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HAS SO MANY..story lines
it could be one of the best in years, and I covered last years
thriller at Whistling Straits.
1. Can an American player win a major this year.
2. Can Swartzel, McIlroy or Clarke win a second one.
3. Can NU's Luke Donald or Illini guy Steve Stricker win a major.
4.What about Donald, Westwood or other top players winning
   that first major.
5. How about Dustin Johnson, can he win this years PGA.
6. What about Adam Scott and his new caddy, is it Scotts turn
   for a first major.
7. David Toms, can he compete at the AAC again, where he won
    in 2001.
8. Can Phil "lefty" Mickelson find his game, after showing flashes
     at the British Open.
9. Can 2010 PGA champion Martin Kaymer repeat.
10. What about the other "near miss" guys from last years PGA,
     Nick Whatney, Bubba Watson.
11. What if Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III has a big tournament
      and continues to be a candidate to make his own Ryder Cup
     Team at Medinah next year.

Plenty of great things to look for. Tune in and enjoy, hopefully CBS
won't butcher the broadcast by talking about #30 too much.

TIP OF THE CAP OR GOLF VISOR TO..Cantigny Golf, Wilson
Golf and Kevin Streelman who returned to Cantigny last Friday
to meet, greet and play some golf with kids from the Illinois Junior
Golf Association. It's days like this that build the game for the future.

TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO SHOWED UP FOR THE WESTERN
AMATEUR, last week at Northshore. Two parking lots were full
at times, and the crowd for the championship match was bigger
than one year ago. Free golf, admission and parking are a good
thing.

I HOPE..many will do the same at the US Amateur at Erin Hills
in two weeks. August 22-28.

TO ALL THE CONTESTANTS..at this weeks State Amateur at
Glen Oak CC in Glen Ellyn, good luck and good playing. Glen
Oak a great layout and Tom Bendelow design should be a fun
course to play.

SPEAKING OF WHICH...GO PLAY..IT'S NOT RAINING...The above
comments are those of Rory Spears, and not always my partners
from Golfers on Golf Radio, even though at times they could be.