Inaugural Preparation

by Farfel Miller III

June 10, 2011

Stanford, California - I had just gotten into town for the Inaugural, and was down at the driving range for some work on my golf game, when I ran into Chris Archibald, who was undergoing his own preparation for the next AGA Major of the season. He graciously agreed to take a few minutes to chat with me about the IBC and the upcoming weekend. Here is the transcript of our conversation.

Farfel Miller III (FM3) : Great to see you, Chris. How are your preparations coming?

Chris Archibald (CA): They are coming along nicely. I am not sure if anyone ever feels completely ready for a major, but I am pleased with where I am.

FM3: I won't name any names, but some commentators have recently been making a lot of how long it has been since you last won a major. Some even wonder if you will ever win a major again. What is your reaction to these comments?

CA: Well, first of all, I don't spend too much time watching what the commentators say. I am plenty busy with getting myself ready for this tournament. But, I would be lying to say that I haven't had similar thoughts myself. I think a lot of it has been due to my busy schedule. I haven't been able to play in all of the majors that I have wanted to the last several years, and that has hurt my chances, since it is hard to win when you aren't even in the tournament [chuckle]. I am confident that I still have major championships in me, I just need to prepare and put myself in positions to be successful.

FM3: What are your thoughts about Jim Archibald making his first trip out to compete in the Inaugural?

CA: I think it is great for the event. Ticket sales have already been outpacing previous years, and the tournament is attracting attention like never before. I have heard estimates that over 30,000 people will be coming into the area for the tournament weekend. Some are here more for the pageantry and carnival-like atmosphere surrounding the tournament than for the tournament itself, but we welcome all fans, even bandwagon ones. It can only be good for the AGA.

FM3: Besides the effect on fans, what about his presence from the perspective of a fellow competitor?

CA: It makes it tough, certainly. He has been on his game in recent AGA events and really comes in as the favorite, in my opinion. But, I love having all the best players in a tournament, playing their best. It makes a victory that much more meaningful.

FM3: One last topic, before I let you get back to your practice. What are your thoughts on the new course that has been added this year, Half Moon Bay?

CA: I think it is a great course. I know the tournament organizers have been reaching out to local courses for quite some time, looking for good venues that will allow the players to showcase their talents and be able to accommodate the large AGA crowds. The LPGA plays at Half Moon Bay, so that gives us confidence that they are capable of dealing with an event of this magnitude. I really like how the Inaugural organizers spread the tournament around to different courses, and showcase the wealth of good golf courses that the area provides.

FM3: Thanks so much for your time, Chris, it has been nice catching up with you.

CA: My pleasure, Farfel.

FM3: See you at the tournament.

CA: See you then.

Preparations Underway for 2011 Inaugural

by Quetzel Miller III

With the 2011 AGA Tour Season nearly halfway through, all thoughts and efforts have been turned to what could amount to be the most important major of the year: the 2011 Inaugural Bay-Area Championship. Historically held in the California Bay-Area, the tournament has long been criticized for its lack of depth in the field. With a field 50% larger than any previous holding of the Inaugural, this year's tournament committee has been able to silence those critics, if only for a short time.

There have been rumors surfacing that this year's IBC may be "The Final Inaugural", though no one on the tournament committee has responded to questions concerning the matter. One can't help but wonder if the grandeur of the situation has materialized because it may be the last chance at this crown ... "Glory's last shot," as it were. Even so, players seem as focused as ever approaching the event.

Plans have been made to hold the tournament in two rounds, with the first on Saturday, June 11, and the tournament concluding on Monday the 13th. The venues for each round have yet to be determined, as many top courses throughout California have incessantly been vying for the honor to host the event since the initial announcement was made about a month ago, and will likely not be known until days before the start. Fans can expect to be given a full dosage of great golf, though, and are expected to be packed into the gallery areas, since tickets were sold out within a week of the announcement.

Players from across the country are beginning their preparations for this greatly anticipated event in various ways. Chris Archibald, the 2007 Inaugural Champion, has been preparing by completing his graduate education, and making sure he can focus solely on golf the week prior. "I have been planning for this event for many years, and to be done with my schooling in this area is great. There would be no better feeling for me than to win it in a few weeks, " Chris said in a news conference after a recent practice session. "My game is almost there. It'll be exciting to see all the competition come together."

Jim Archibald has been undergoing his typical preparations for an AGA major tournament, and has even had to play through the rough Utah spring weather to prep his game. "You never know what the weather will bring, so I consider it an advantage that I've used every piece of rain gear I own in the last few weeks," Jim remarked after yet another rain-soaked round last week. Many of the AGA experts have already picked Jim to win this year, even though he's making his first appearance at the event. The IBC is the only major not on Jim's resume, after winning this year's IDES Championship in March. He has the opportunity to join Thom as the only players to have won the "AGA Slam" since the formation of the association.

Thom Archibald, the 2009 Inaugural Champion has been preparing by practicing in the South Texas heat and humidity. He played an early 18 holes at a small course in San Antonio on Saturday, attempting to stay under the radar. After the round, he remarked that he "had a great day with the irons. The putter still has some work before I can believe in a major victory, but the rest of my game is there." Thom definitely had the long game necessary for a major victory during the round, leaving himself 9 birdie putts within 15 feet - though he only made 3 of them. His family is expected to make the trip to California with him for the event, and to be cheering him on the whole way.

Up and coming AGA players have even been preparing for the event in their own way. Jackson Archibald, though not a competitor in this year's tournament, purchased his first set of clubs this week, and has found that the living room space is not adequate for his long drives. Alec Archibald, also a striving amateur, has been testing the limits of his neighborhood courtyard with yells of "Kah-pow-ee", while offering private lessons to his younger brother, Charlie. Austin and Mady Salmon have been observing golfers "hit it long ways", nearly passing through their own backyard.

Two-time Major Champion Edward Archibald will be missed at this year's event, as he continues his mission service in Mexico. Eddie's absence will be quite noticeable, as many of the young "lady fans" of the association refused to purchase tickets to the event when it was revealed that he wouldn't return for another year.

However you look at it, this year's Inaugural has miles of potential for a great tournament, "Final Inaugural" or not. I know where I'll be that weekend.

AGA Star Goes Low in Weekly Event

by Quetzel Miller III

Provo, Utah - The East Bay Men's Association of Provo, UT, is full of fierce competitors, from former professionals to numerous past state amateur winners. Every Wednesday during the summer months, they battle the late evening swarms of mosquitos, and each other, for a large purse of golf shop credit through different entertaining formats. Frequently, the winners of the weekly nine-hole event are from the same group of 5 to 10 people, and the occasional no-name will win a skin or two. This week, however, was different.

Thom Archibald, current AGA standout player, shot a career low score on Wednesday night, winning the gross division of this week's Gross/Net format by an unheard of 3 shots.

"It was a different day out there today. I haven't been playing much lately, but things just really went as good as they could, and I left nothing out there. Plus, it helps that I got a few good bumps on the greens to roll many putts in" said Thom.

The evening round began with Jim Archibald and Thom paired together on the par-5 16th. After Thom curled in a 15-footer for birdie on 16, he followed with a par on 17, and another birdie on 18. After narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie attempt on number 10, Thom saved par from 12 feet on 11. A lengthy eagle putt was made at 12, after which a much shorter one was narrowly missed at 13, leaving a tap-in birdie to get to 5 under for the day. Finishing up on 14 and 15, Thom played conservatively enough to get 2-putt pars on each, and left the back nine that day with a solid 5-under 31. His score secured him first place gross, as well as a skin for his eagle on number 12.

Thom has been away from the AGA TOUR scene as of late, missing the 2009 ILCRICC in July, at which he would have been able to vie for Back-to-Back-to-Back victories, something never before done in any AGA TOUR Major. He has had recent success in practice rounds, though, scoring under par at Riverside Golf Course's front nine in San Antonio, followed by 2 consecutive 69's in late August at East Bay prior to starting back to school at BYU the next week. He also competed in an informal gathering of AGA players in Logan, Utah to compete in the 2009 "Back to yer Roots" Invitational, which he won by one shot over Jim Archibald. The tournament is expected to pick up visibility in the coming years as members of the TOUR return to the place where, nearly 30 years ago, the Archibald Golf Association was founded.

Strong Field Shows at 2007 Central Utah Amateur

by Quetzel Miller III

Provo, UT - Coming off a win last week at the ILCRICC, Thom Archibald seems to have found something in his game that wasn't there before. He and other members of the AGA competed this weekend at the 2007 Barber Brothers Central Utah Amateur, each given goods odds at walking away with a win. Thom played with his father, Jim, and each had their share of goods and bads. Thom seemed to be able to keep his to a minimum, though, while Jim let a few more slip away. Together with the 15 year old Garrett Moss that they played with, the threesome was 7 under on the day. Garrett accounted for five of those, shooting a 5 under par 67 after starting 2 over through 4. Thom was right with him most of the way, until making a few mental mistakes down the stretch, and finishing with a three under par 69. Jim was close behind until he drove in the water on the par 5 16th, and bogeyed the 18th from the front of the green for a one over par 73.

In any normal amateur field, Thom's 69 would be good enough for a top-5 finish, but with the strong field this weekend, he ended up in a tie for tenth, walking away with around $130 in clubhouse winnings from his performance. "I played really well out there today. I just hit greens, and made a few putts I shouldn't have made, but I didn't miss much" Thom mentioned after the round. "I just wish I wouldn't have bogeyed 12 and 16 (both par 5's), cause then I could have been right near the top of the board there."

The winning score was a 63 shot by Dan Horner, one better than Steve Borget's 64. Others were clustered from 65 to 68. Thom's performance was good enough for his first top-10 at the event, and is hopeful of the future in such events. It was also noted that his older brother and top challenger, Chris, was not able to be there despite a history of decent performances in the event. There's always next year...

[Thom's stats:
putts: 27
greens: 12/18
fairways: 5/13
par 5's: -1
par 4's: +1
par 3's: -3]

The 2007 "...Open" (Championship)

By Quetzel Miller III
30 May 2007

Provo, Utah — The return of defending champion Brett Wayment and the appearance of Hall of Famer Billy Casper are only a few of the highlights for the Provo Open this week at East Bay Golf Course. The biggest media pull has been the return of past contender, and near favorite local, Thom Archibald.

Wayment, the 2006 champion, returns to defend his title when the 54-hole championship begins on Thursday, while Archibald returns from a two year religious sabbatical in which his golf career was put on hold. They will each be challenged by two-time winner Tommy Johnson and defending Utah Open champion Pete Stone. Former BYU star Jake Ellison, who turned pro after the Cougar season ended at the NCAAs last week, is also a key hopeful. While Archibald's return has gotten the media more heavily involved than any previous year, the show-stopper has been the absence of last year's favorite, Thom's brother Chris. The father of the two will also not be making an appearance this week, at least not as a player - He has verbally agreed to caddy for Thom through Friday, though it is unclear if the two have signed any contracts together.

Thom, now the only Archibald with a hope at the 2007 Crystal "Claret" Jug, feels the weight on his shoulders. "I always looked forward to the day Chris and I could play in the final day, the last pairing together. We have acted that situation out countless times before during our F.A.T.M.A.N. matches, so we each know just how it goes... he wins every fifth one.* With him gone, I feel like the responsibility is on me - two-fold" Thom said after his practice round Wednesday, in which he mentioned he made sure he "saw all of the course."

Casper, Provo Open champion in the 1980s, also a two time US Open Champion and Masters champion, made his legendary appearance Tuesday during the Sponsors tournament.

"We believe this year will hold an exciting week of golf with some outstanding competition," said tournament director Randy Dodson. "Having Billy Casper in town Tuesday gave us a chance to thank him and give him much deserved recognition for a legendary golf career, as well as turning our focus to the up and coming careers of the youngsters", speaking of Archibald.

This tournament is also a great preparation for many who are still trying to climb up the 2007 AGA points standings to recieve an invitation to July's ILCRICC event in Southern Utah, where only the elitest of golfers play.

I hope everyone will have as good of a time as this reporter watching this week's Open, whether catching the Live CBS coverage, lead by Jim Nantz, or in person. After all, admission is still free...

*Quetzel Miller III is unsure of the validity of this statistic, and cannot be held responsible if it is incorrect

2005 Provo Open Shocker

by Farfel Miller III

Provo, Utah -The course was empty, the sun setting, and the scoreboard was covered by its plastic covering, causing the few onlookers to peer intently through it to ascertain what names lie beneath it. The Provo Open was over. It was a grueling 2-day event, with the greens as fast as ever, and the Tournament Committee doing its best imitation of a torture genius with their pin placements.
The first day ended with no large surprises, except for the tepid start of early favorite Chris Archibald. He played solid all day, and was 2 under with three to play, but shifting winds and a poor choice of clubs proved costly on the last three holes, as he finished at even par, 5 shots back of the leader, Steve Schneiter, a pro. But even with Archibald back in a tie for tenth, the leaders could not be too careful. "With Chris' mad game, you can never count him out, " quipped a nervous Clay Bingham after seeing the final posting of scores. " I will be watching my back tomorrow you can believe me!" And believe him we did. The crowds were anticipatory, and the scorekeepers readied their red pens, sure that Archibald was to mount his inevitable saturday charge. But somewhere along the line, Chris Archibald forgot how to play golf. Sure, he played solid for 15 holes, playing them in even. Sure he made a dozen 10 feet+ putts, that were scary enough to give even seasoned veterans reason to cry for their mommies. But on
numbers 4 and 5, Chris Archibald forgot how to swing his golf club. It was tragic to watch, much like Jean Van DeVelde at the British Open. These holes, which he had birdied the day before, now became his worst nightmare. Coming off of a birdie on number 3, he promptly topped a drive OB, then hooked a drive OB, and then finally found the fairway, but not before the damage was done. When the dust had cleared and the ball finally dropped into the cup, the result was a 9. "I just didn't have enough good swings today," said the sad Chris when asked about this misfortune. "It was like living in my own worst nightmare." Then on number 5, trying to overcome the demons that inevitably possess poor golfers, when they have such troubles, he topped a 3-wood into the water. Then he hit one into the bunker, and sank a 25 foot putt for double bogey. Then he hoped that he was done, and he was . . . until number 18. Once again, coming off a birdie on 17, he hooked a drive into the water and had to get up and down for a double bogey. "The last hole just about brought me to tears," said Chris. "To try so hard all day, and then fall apart on the last hole was just about more than I could bear." The crowd was stunned, especially when insult was added to injury and Chris missed the money by one stroke. Oh, by the way, Steve Schneiter won the tournament, but I write what the public wants to hear. Until next year, keep swinging.

Sports Predictions 2005

by Farfel Miller III (writing for the Deseret News)

SLC, Utah -With spring fast approaching, the collective sports mind along the wasatch front turns to the local golf scene. Ok, so maybe not everyone cares, but among the local golf community, little else matters. Already this winter, Provo natives Randy Hicken and Pat Murphy have placed themselves in the 1 and 2 spots atop the UGA rankings. What lies ahead of us this year?

In the next few weeks, Deseret Morning Sports will take a look at each of the upcoming UGA events, and what to expect from each one. For this first article, we will look at the granddaddy of them all, the tournament with the biggest purse in the state, The Provo Open.

If this year is anything like the years before, we can expect low scores and plenty of them from the field. Boyd Summerhays and Tommy Johnson always thrill, and the quality of local pros is put to the test. Despite the big names that are sure to contend, the greatest loss of the tournament already happened. Last season's favorite, Thom Archibald, recently left on a mission to the Virginia, Richmond Mission for the LDS church. Said Thom before he left: "I am
really sad to miss the Provo Open this year. It should be wide open without me there."

Thom didn't want to give any incentive to his brother Chris, who failed to make the cut last year, after being favored to be in the final group with Thom. "I feel like it is my tournament to lose, with Thom out of the picture, " said a thoughtful Chris, when we caught him on the range, "Thom always played hard, and now with him gone, I need to step up and take the title." The bookies have been quick to agree and have place Chris as the early 2-1 favorite to keep the title in Provo. "I am used to playing with all the pressure, from all of the F.A.T.M.A.N titles that I have won, but this is a new experience for me. I will have to see how it goes." Well, Chris might have to see how it goes, but this reporter is hopping on the early bandwagon and declaring that this is indeed, Chris' tournament to lose. The excitement will really begin when Thom returns and the two brothers can clash again. It is sure to be a "Clash of the Titans."