Golf is back for the Tokyo 2020(2021) Olympic Games! Did you know that is the second time that golf has appeared back-to-back in Olympic games? The first time was in 1900 & 1904, the first two times golf was ever in the Olympics. The first time golf was put into the Olympic event schedule was in the Paris 1900 games, the second time it appeared in St. Louis in 1904, after those two Olympic years, golf was not seen in the Olympics until Rio 2016.
USA Women’s Golf Team
USA Men’s Golf Team
So why care about golf in the Olympics? Well, the USA has a very good chance for medals in both the men’s individual and women’s individual competitions. Let’s take a look at Team USA: In the men’s competition the team is comprised of: Justin Thomas (Highest Ranking Player for Team USA -3rd in the world), Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffle and Patrick Reed (Patrick replaced Bryson DeChambeau after testing positive for Covid prior to travel). In the women’s competition for team USA we have: Nellie Korda (Ranke#1 in the world), Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and Jessica Korda. Nellie Korda and Jessica Korda are actually sisters competing together in these games. Also, this is Lexi Thompson’s second time appearing on the golf team for USA, she and Patrick Reed are the only returning players from Rio 2016.
Rio Medalists:
Looking back to the Rio Games in 2016, a medal was actually won for the United States by Matt Kuchar. Matt won the bronze medal in the men’s competition by shooting a 63 in the final round. There are some returning players from the podium in Rio that are competing again in Tokyo, which may make it more difficult for the United States to medal in these events. In the women’s competition both the reigning gold (Inbee Park) & silver (Lydia Ko) medalists are returning to compete in Tokyo. No one from the Rio men’s golf podium returned to the games this year; Justin Rose (Gold), Henrik Stenson(Silver) or the bronze medalist Matt Kuchar. Someone to look for in these games is Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters Champion. Hideki will be competing in his home country of Japan in a year that he has already won big.
Covid has already affected these games in a multitude of ways, but a major one is that there are major players that will be missing the games due to positive covid tests. As per covid protocol, the players must be tested prior to leaving for the games. Bryson DeChambeau had to drop out of the competition because he tested positive for covid right before travelling to Tokyo. Jon Rahm, the #1 ranked world player, also had a similar situation happen to him as Dechambeau, where he was forced to drop out due to a positive covid test, prior to leaving for the games. So far the women’s US team has not had any substitutions due to covid, let’s all hope to keep it that way.
Kasumigaski Country Club, Saitama, Japan
Players will travel an hour north west from the olympic village to Kasumigaseki CC, a private 36 hole country club just outside of Tokyo city. Round 1 of the men’s competition starts July 28th at 6:30pm EST at Kasumigaseki Country Club and the women’s competition begins on August 3rd at 6:30pm EST. Keep your eyes on Team USA for two great competitions and let’s see if we can bring home the gold!
Go Team USA!
-Britt Morrison
Events Happening in July
What’s new & fun for July? See below!
4th of July BBQ – July 3rd, 4th & 5th [9am – 5pm]
Flop Shot Challenge – July 9th [3pm-6pm]
) There will be giveaways, sweep entries and more fun to come at this event! AND of course there will be drink specials on Amstel Light! No registration required, come on out, play a round and have fun!
Wine Down Wednesdays – Every Wednesday [12pm-7pm]
Wine down on Wednesday! Every Wednesday we have wine flights available for just $8! 4 tastings of wine and the wine switches each week! Come out and try a flight!
What is fling golf? That is the most common question I hear working behind the counter at the American Classic Golf Club as golfers check in and notice the unique New Swarm Sports FlingSticks hanging near the counter. When asked that question, I enjoy explaining what fling golf is and encouraging people to give it a try. It is always great to see people interested and excited to give it a try sometime. I also get a laugh seeing just how shocked people are to find out you only use one club, the FlingStick, when playing and can avoid the full set of regular golf clubs.
FlingGolf, created by Alex Van Alen, is an innovative sport which combines aspects of lacrosse, baseball, and hockey with golf. The game can be played on any golf cours 
e, and to play FlingGolf all you need is a FlingStick and some golf balls. Your FlingStick will act as your driver, irons, woods, wedges, and putter, so there is no need to lug around a full set when playing this sport. To fling the golf ball, simply load the ball up into the channel at the end of the stick and throw the ball from the tee to the green. Around the greens, there are many chipping techniques and putting is done with the striker pad on the head of the stick. There are also many different styles that can be used to fling the ball, and you will find the shot that works best for you as you play more often.
Here at the American Classic, we offer FlingGolf and have rental FlingSticks in which you can rent out for your round. FlingSticks can also be purchased at flinggolf.com if you want your own stick. Since FlingGolf can be played alongside regular golfers, I feel that this is a great way for non-golfers to get out onto the course and have fun with their golfer friends. The fact that fling golfers will only use the FlingStick and not a full set of clubs allows for pace of play to be kept up with anybody.
I love regular golf and will always play as much as I can, but I also truly enjoy FlingGolf. FlingGolf is a nice way to get out onto the course and chuck some balls around, and I have fun trying to improve and increase my fling distances off the tee. Sometimes I like to bring a FlingStick out onto the course with me during my regular golf rounds to throw a few for fun (or when my regular golf game is lacking). Bringing out the FlingStick can be a great way to find a fairway and change things up on the course.
The last few summers here at the American Classic we have organized a laid back summer fling league on Friday evenings, and it was nice to see many new people out on the golf course for the first time who wanted to get out but struggled to pick up regular golf. We will be bringing the league back this year and I cannot wait to see everyone out flinging again! We are also very excited to announce that we will have fun food and drink specials, making the fling evenings even better!
Before the FlingGolf Fridays return, we will also be hosting a great FlingGolf fundraiser event to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on May 14that 6:00 PM. No FlingGolf experience is required, and $15 dollars will cover the cost of your round and rental stick. All greens fees purchased will go to LLS! Sign up HERE
Hope to see you all flinging this year!
– Sam Cresta, Assistant Golf Professional at American Classic Golf Club