{image1}The greatest golfers in the world are teeing it up in Wisconsin this weekend, but Herb Kohler, who built the course they are playing on, might be the biggest star for state golf fans.
Kohler, 65, who is from a family that made its fortune in toilets, decided to bring his company into the golf world about 20 years ago. The results have been four courses -- including two, Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits, which are among Golf Digest's Top 100.
Blackwolf hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1998. The Straits is hosting the PGA Championship Thursday through Sunday. Both events have helped put Wisconsin on the world's golf radar screen.
Kohler is a true lover of the game. An 18-handicap player, he wouldn't compete with the pros who are tackling the Straits, but he once told Golf Magazine, "I can't imagine what life was like before golf."
His description of golf as a game that "feeds your spirit and draws you close to the land" is not only poetic, but also is one that any true lover of the game can identify with.
About a 15-handicap golfer myself, I have been fortunate to play both Blackwolf and Whistling Straits. (I shall keep my scores a secret.) Both courses reflect Kohler's statement. They are designed to blend into the natural beauty of the land. You can sit on the tee on a beautiful summer, or fall, morning and truly feel your spirits climb -- at least until you drive your tee shot into Lake Michigan.
Kohler also appreciates the history of golf. The Straits really reflects this in its links layout with natural bunkers and other hazards. Sheep even roam the fairways, although they likely have been put into another pasture during the PGA.
While Kohler appreciates golf's past, he also contributes to its future with significant donations to the First Tee youth program.
Every golfer, and golf fan, in Wisconsin should thank Kohler for sharing his love of the game and using his ample resources to build such great courses and promote the game in the state.
None of you will attend, or watch the PGA on television, to see Herb Kohler, however. So, here are just a few of the star players and their tee times. Local native Skip Kendall has the honor of being in the first group that teed it up at 7 a.m. Thursday, likely before most of you are reading this column.
The marquee group of the first two days might be the threesome of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and John Daly. They tee off at 8:20 a.m. on Thursday and 1:35 p.m. Friday.
Phil Mickelson is paired with this year's British Open champ Todd Hamilton at 1:35 p.m. Thursday and 8:20 a.m. Friday. Ernie Els was scheduled at 7:50 a.m. Thursday and 1:05 p.m. Friday. Although Greg Norman no longer is among the elite on the tour, the Shark still attracts fans. He tees off at 1:55 p.m. Thursday and 8:40 a.m. Friday.
You can find all the golfers' tee times for the first two days at pga.com. For television times, see the Hot Tix section of this column.
Athens Olympics
Some of the "Olympic associated" events in Athens started Wednesday and the Opening Ceremony is Friday night. Thanks in part to readers' input, we have more Wisconsin Olympians, or former state residents, who are competing.
They include: cyclists Chris Witty of West Allis, Erin Veenstra-Mirabella, Racine, and Deidre Demet-Barry, Milwaukee native; beach volleyball, Jeff Nygaard, formerly of Madison, who is competing in his third Olympics; Greco-Roman wrestling, Garrett Lowney, who won a bronze medal in 2000; wrestling, Dennis Hall; canoe/kayak, Rebecca Giddons.
Suzy Favor-Hamilton, who was trying to qualify for her fourth Olympics, reportedly has not made the team.
A complete listing of Wisconsin athletes can be found at usolympicteam.com. If you know of anybody we have not listed, add the names to the end of this column.
The lead section of next week's Weekend Sports Buzz will be devoted to updating you on how these athletes have done.
Hot Tix
Television times for the PGA Championship are: Thursday and Friday, 1-7 p.m. on TNT, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on TNT and 1-6 p.m. on CBS.
The Brewers return to Miller Park Friday for a weekend series against the Florida Marlins. Game times are 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday. A Jim Gantner bobblehead will be given away on Saturday night. The Cubs come to town again for a three-game series, starting next Tuesday.
In their last couple games, the Brewers have played better. They hope to make a run that will get them at or better than .500 by the end of the season.
If you want to see some of the future Brewers, you can take in the Beloit Snappers (A) against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Miller Park.
Wave United hosts Vancouver at 7:35 p.m. Thursday at Uihlein Soccer Park. WU then goes on the road for the weekend.
The Packers play their first pre-season game Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Remember you can follow the Packers after every regular season game in On the Pack, right here on OMC.
Looking long range, the American Hockey League champion Admirals announced their schedule this week. They will open against the Chicago Wolves on Oct.15. Maybe the franchise will have new ownership in place by that time.
