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There's a fairly big battle brewing in the game of golf today.
I'm not talking about Rory McIlroy vs. Scottie Scheffler or even the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf.
I'm talking about a battle to roll back the golf ball, developing and utilizing a ball that would travel a shorter distance than it does today.
The concept has been around for years, but in March the USGA began a process to do just that when it announced a proposed Mode Local Rule that would limit golf ball distance for elite competitions beginning in January 2026.
The USGA has set aside a comment period to invite opinions on the subject but stressed a strong desire to officially adopt some version of this rule in a timely manner.
To its surprise, however, the USGA has received major pushback on at least two significant fronts.
Last month, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent out a memo to players saying the Tour would not use this proposed rule in their competitions.
Soon after, the PGA -- which represents club professionals around the world -- released a statement stating they were "firmly opposed to the idea," fearing it would lead to two sets of rules -- one for elite players and another for amateurs.
"It is something that we feel would lead to division and cause us to lose a very precious characteristic of golf," the PGA World Alliance said.
The USGA has been very careful, all along, to say it would work with all concerned parties, including equipment manufacturers, but I think even they were surprised by the strong resistance received so far.
Personally, I don't think the proposal rule is a good idea.
If weekend golfers, like us, aren't able to use the same equipment as Tour Players, the game we watch on TV would be even harder to relate to than it is today.
In a perfect world, the best solution would be to just cap the ball at today's standards. That may be easier said than done, though, with today's ever-changing technology.
But as far a rollback goes, I don't see that coming any time soon.
Area championships
Early August in our area always seems to coincide with an end to the best-ball season and the beginning of club championship competition.
After last week's exciting playoff victory by Artie Fink Jr. and Anthony DeGol over Spencer Hinish and Wally Clapper at the Summit Invitational, this weekend will see plenty of strong individual play.
First off will be Park Hills and Summit Country Club, which are scheduled to crown their champions Sunday.
Sinking Valley and Iron Masters will follow, wrapping up their championships by next weekend, with Scotch Valley rounding out the greater Altoona clubs by deciding its champions during the last weekend of August.
WPGA championship
Congratulations to three local golfers who posted top-10 finishes earlier this week in the West Penn Women's Senior Amateur Championship held at Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown.
Scotch Valley's Carol Onufru finished in second place after shooting 84, while fellow Scotch Valley member Michelle Day notched a sixth-place finish.
Park Hills' Stephanie Kirsch was the third local golfer with a good showing, finishing strong in 10th place.
55 years ago
During the second week of August in 1968, State College's newest golf course, Toftrees, was advertising a special offer to the golfing public.
All golfers were invited to "enjoy nine holes of exciting golf for just $1.00, half-off the regular rate of $2.00.
Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at GLTR777@atlanticbb.net.