Valley View Golf Course

What a Hoot! Rice Owl Michael Whitehead is More Than Just Tiger's Replacement

He looks like any other kid - like we were, you and I, when we were playing for cokes and burgers at Valley View or Pine Hills, or Meatball Meadows - waking with the rooster's crow, racing to the course and playing till we couldn't see the ball.

He looks like any other young 20-something you know: lithe and wiry, the first fuzzy grizzle of beard on his chin, ball cap topping a short shock of straight blond hair, eyes shining with youthful exuberance and an aw-shucks view of the world.

And yet here he is, Michael Whitehead, the young kid from outside Houston, Texas, who took the spot in the U.S. Open that Tiger Woods vacated when he pulled up limp. Here he is living the dream, making his debut as a professional golfer practicing with PGA stars, warming up on the range at storied Congressional Country Club. And in doing so, Michael is proving himself much more than just Tiger's replacement this week; he's impressing everyone with his grace, work ethic, attitude and his stalwart friends, a fervent bunch of fellow Rice University grads dubbed the "Owls Nest," who support him all the way around. One of them, Trevor Randolph, is actually the club champion at Congressional. That's how good the Rice golf team was.

"Michael is just a super guy, both as a golfer and as a leader. He played in every single college match for four years, all 50 of them," said Randolph, who dutifully followed his man for four hours in the heat of the day in sweltering Bethesda. "Everyone is just so proud of him, and happy to see him get his chance to shine."

It was a close shave for Whitehead. He shot 68-68 in the qualifier, 4-under, and squeezed into a three-players-for-two-shots playoff. "I didn't play a scared hole," he recalled. "I wasn't timid, just kind of reckless."

He made an indifferent bogey and was left with just an alternate spot, while Harrison Frazer and Greg Chalmers celebrated with their families. But at 3:00 the next day Betsy Swain of the USGA called with some good news.

"She said if would like to play, I had a spot," he stated. "And so after a long deliberating thought, I said yes."

"How long a thought was that?" asked Beth Murrison, the USGA's crackerjack interview moderator. "Oh, I probably said yes before she asked. I'm glad he listened to his doctor this time," he quipped in reply.

Golf View Realty in Paradise Valley | Arizona Community Guide

Check Out this 4,360 Square Foot Home: Your Ideal Paradise Valley, Arizona Property is Priced at $799,000

What a wonderful property completely remodeled and expanded in 2008. There is a (900 s.f.) guest house that was bulit new in 2008 with 1 bedroom, 1 bath, full kitchen, laundry, it is fantastic. The main house is equally impressive with a large master, 2 nice size kids bedrooms, an office and a game/playroom. Kitchen opens up to a f.r. and there is a great room, everything flows and is light and bright in this classic ranch PV home. It is a one acre property with a small section of the backyard that backs to the Phoenecian golf course. Wonderful views of Camelback and the golf course. Pool, rock waterfall, barbecue and at this price this property should not last long and is in great condition Not a short sale or bank owned, traditional sale with the eager owners that want property sold now

TRADITIONAL SALE!

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