Turnovers … by Alan B. Gibson

Posted July 18, 2018 at 1:30 pm

Local sports news is still ‘summer thin’ but golf fans have a special opportunity this weekend

Local sports activities are still pretty thin as far as reporting activities goes, as we are still into the dog days of summer and for the most part, teams and individuals headed into the fall sports lineups are honing their skills when weather permits.

As I’ve mentioned, the “first up” for CCHS athletics this fall will be the Golf Dawgs and Lady Golf Dawgs when they hit the links for the start of the 2018 season in just few weeks.

So, while we’re on the subject of golf, fans of the game should note that we have a double whammy opportunity this weekend to enjoy watching – either on TV, or for just a short drive up the road, in real life.

While most of the golf fans’ eyes will be on coverage of the British Open at Carnoustie in Scotland, the second most watched PGA event this weekend will put eyes right here in Kentucky, just up the road in Nicholasville.

The Barbasol Championship is currently underway on Champions at Keene Trace in Nicholasville.

While the superstars on the PGA tour will be in Scotland, the Barbasol will have some big name players in the field, namely Davis Love III, Billy Horschel and Hunter Mahan.

Not including the PGA Championship which is periodically held on Louisville’s Valhalla, this will be the first time a regular scheduled PGA tournament will be played in Kentucky in nearly 60 years.

This weekend’s stop in Nicholasville will be the first of a four-year deal for the event to play at Trace.

Of course there is another novelty touch to this weekend’s Barbasol tournament just up the road. Brittany Lincicome, one of the strongest and longest hitting players on the LPGA tour, will be playing alongside the men in this week’s PGA event.

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption certificate, Lincicome should be able to hold her own with the guys. She’s known to be one of the longest players off the tee in the LPGA and combine that with the course being one of the shortest on the PGA tour, she should be able to play up with the competition with little problem.

Her spot in the PGA field will be the first time a LPGA player has gone up against the men since Michelle Wie gave it a shot a decade ago in 2008.

Tickets are still available for the entire week ($100) or for daily access as well ($30), and can be purchased online by visiting the website: barbasolchampionshipky.com

If you are a fan of the game and have never been to a PGA tournament event, here’s your chance to enjoy your favorite sport with a bird’s eye view.

In the meantime – let’s take it outside for a few months!