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It sounds like the punchline for a joke -- "I tuned in to watch a presidential debate last Thursday night, but a 'golf handicap' fight broke out!"
Like many Americans, I tuned in to watch last week's presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, hoping to gain some insights about each candidate's views as the election campaign begins to ramp up.
While many important topics were covered early on, the debate took an unusual turn toward the end of the evening. Answering a question about his fitness, Trump began talking about his golfing prowess, only to be followed by Biden who bragged about his own golf game.
The two men then spent the next few minutes actually arguing over their golf handicaps. I almost had to pinch myself, making sure I wasn't watching some kind of TV sitcom show. I've heard plenty of "handicap complaints" at my own club, but I never expected to watch one play out on national television, during a presidential debate.
The world has enough problems already, golf certainly shouldn't be one of them.
Mount Union Invite
The local team of John Lowder and Brent Berkheimer won last weekend's best-ball tournament at the Mount Union American Legion Country Club after recording scores of 64 and 66.
Finishing in second-place was the Huntingdon duo of Andy Fouse and Ryan Strickler with a two-day total of 133. Gregory and Andrew Ferguson tied with Artie Fink Jr and Todd Homan to finish in a tie for third, at 135.
Sinking Valley's Invitational tournament is up next, scheduled for July 12-14.
Dog bite
It's been quite a year for LPGA-star Nellie Korda.
After an amazing five-tournament winning streak earlier this year, the world No. 1 star suffered a tough setback a month ago when she missed the cut at the Women's U.S. Open. Korda then proceeded to miss the cut in her next two starts.
If all that wasn't enough, Korda had to withdraw from last week's Aramco Team Tournament due to a dog bite.
Here's hoping the likable 25-year-old's luck takes a turn for the better. Korda will be representing the United States when the Olympic golf competition begins in early August.
85 years ago
During the first week of July in 1939, Blairmont head pro William Francis qualified for the PGA Championship and spent several days practicing at the Pomonok Golf Club in New York City, turning in scores of 72, 75, 74 and 74 while preparing for the major championship.
Francis eventually advanced to the 'round of 16' in this prestigious match-play tournament before being beaten by hall-of-famer Bryon Nelson, 3&1.
Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at GLTR777@atlanticbb.net.