Barry Vermillion

The Associated Press reports that the Ladies Professional Golf Association has made a rule that is effective immediately for new players and all other members in 2009 — they must speak English or they cannot play in LPGA events. Each LPGA member will have to successfully pass an oral evaluation of their English skills or they will be denied membership.

Huh? And all this time I have said that golf course language was an international language. It does not matter to me what country the golfer hails from when she sinks a long putt or she throws her clubs in a water hazard — we all know what she is saying.

Does this mean Natalie Gulbis will have to take an ice hockey I.Q. test if she wants to play in Canada? Will Paula Creamer have to pass a language test if she wants to play in Europe? And what language would it be any way? Euro?

If Grace Park or Mi Hyun Kim never learned to speak English, though they both do, it would not subdue my boyish admiration for either of them.

The outcome and success of the English skills test by the LPGA is going to be interesting.

I’m not so sure even I could pass it — I talk Texan fluently, but my English ain’t so good sometimes.

City of Denton Parks and Recreation scrambles

The City of Denton Parks and Recreation Dept. has four more Tuesday afternoon scrambles scheduled for Sept. 9, 16, 23, and 30. The nine-hole two-player team format tournaments are played at the Robson Ranch Wildhorse Golf Club and are open to all golfers.

Players must check-in by 5:15 p.m. and a shotgun start begins play at 5:30 p.m.

Entry fee is $13 per player that must be paid at the Denton Civic Center located at 321 E. McKinney St. in Denton no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the scramble.

The $8 cart fee must be paid upon check-in at the clubhouse at Wildhorse Golf Club.

All scrambles include a closest to the pin and longest drive contest.  Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place teams determined by the number of registered golfers and includes gift certificates to play golf at Robson Ranch and golf balls.

For more information and to register call 940-349-7275.

Denton CityGolf Championship Tournament

The annual Denton City Golf Championship is a two-day 36-hole tournament that will be played with on Sat., Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Robson Ranch Wildhorse Golf Club in Denton.

Golfers will play an individual stroke play format of 18 holes each day.

Tee times begin at 10 a.m. each day. Mandatory check-in will be 45 minutes before the assigned tee times. Players should call 940-246-1001 from 12 to 6 p.m. on Friday, September 12 to confirm assigned tee times.

The entry fee is $90 per player and includes green fee, use of driving range, a box lunch, and the opportunity to win prizes and awards.

Deadline to register and pay the entry fee at the Civic Center located at 321 E. McKinney St. in Denton is Wednesday, Sept. 10th.

The $15 cart fee per day must be paid during check-in at the at Wildhorse Golf Club clubhouse.

The tournament will be organized in four flights: Men’s Championship, Men’s A, Senior Championship, and Women’s Championship.

A $100 American Express gift card will be awarded to the overall male and female champions.  Additional awards will be given to the top three players in each division and includes gift certificates to play golf at Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch and golf balls.

For more information and to register call City of Denton Athletics Manager Heather Gray at the Civic Center at 940-349-7218.

Indian Creek Golf Club Couples League

The next Indian Creek Golf Club Couples League event will begin play with a 5:30 p.m. shotgun start on Friday, Aug. 29, at Indian Creek Golf Club located at 1650 Frankford Rd. in Carrollton.

The format is a two-player team scramble.

Entry fee is $60 per couple and includes green and cart fee, GPS, range balls, dinner and prizes.

Entry is limited to the first 36 couples registered.

Deadline for entry is noon Friday, August 29.

For more information and to register call the clubhouse at Indian Creek Golf Club at 972-466-9850.

GainesvilleMen’s Golf Association Championship

The Gainesville Men’s Golf Association Championship two day 36-hole individual stroke play tournament will be played at Gainesville Municipal Golf Course beginning with assigned tee times at 9 a.m. Sat., Sept. 6. Golfers will be flighted after the first round.

The second round will begin with assigned tee times at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.

Prizes will be awarded to top finishers based the number of entrants.

Entry fee is $90 per golfer and is opened to all members that have previously played in a GMGA event and includes green and cart fees for both days and dinner following the final round.

The deadline to enter is noon Friday, Sept. 5.

For association membership information and to register for the GMGA Championship tournament call the Gainesville Municipal Golf Course clubhouse at 940-668-4560, or email GMGA President Kevin Gann at ganndolf6603@yahoo.com .

Lake ParkMen’s Golf Association tournament results

The results of the LPMGA individual stroke play tournament played Sat. Aug. 23, at Lake Park Golf Course in Lewisville are: low gross score- 1. Steve Hancock, 67; 2. Alan Magill, 67; 3. J.P. Kilkenny. Low net score- 1. Ray Loos, 63; 2. Jon Albrecht, 69; 3. Jim Skidmore, 71.

Closest to the pin winners are: Bobby McKenzie, no. 3; J.P. Kilkenny, no. 5; J.D. Elledge, no. 7; Alan Magill, no. 15; Don Jones, no. 17.

Points earned in the quest for LPMGA Player of the Year top ten are: 1. Jon Albrecht; 2. Alan Magill; 3. Steve Hancock; 4. J.D. Elledge; 5. Ray Russo; 6. Chris Rhodes; 7. Scott Higginbotham; 8. Bobbie McKenzie; 9. Russell Smeed; 10. Ray Loos.

For membership information and tournament schedule call LPMGA President Scott Higginbotham at 972-221-3966 or 214-952-9745.

DR-C Golfer Survey 2008

Be a part of helping us determine how we report recreational golf news by completing our DR-C Golfer Survey 2008. The time needed to complete the survey is approximately 5-8 minutes. You don’t have to answer all the questions, but when you submit a completed survey you will automatically be entered into our monthly drawing for a chance to win a box of NIKE Golf balls sponsored by WeatherToGolf.com.

The survey will close Sept. 30, unless we can convince WeatherToGolf.com to provide more balls.

BARRY VERMILLION can be reached at 940-566-6890. His email address is bvermillion@dentonrc.com  . For more area golf news log on to www.dentonrc.com/sports/golf  . If you have any area golf news, events, or want to submit your name for the Golfer Profile, call or email the details to golf@dentonrc.com .