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SUNNY Temp: 77 °F Wind: N at 5 mph Tuesday, August 12, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 19, 2003 Tee Talk Practice makes perfect for Fisher By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune Like those who have a putter tucked away in the office corner, the better to sharpen their games on the carpet during workday lulls, Ed Fisher’s golf clubs are usually within reach. "When I get a few minutes, I put a wedge in my hands and hit some pitches, 20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards," he says. "And it’s showing in my game." The difference between Fisher and the rest of us is that he’s a golf teaching professional, his office is the driving range and his business tools are his woods, irons and putter. He’s put them to good use of late, advancing to the semifinals of the Oregon Chapter Professional Golf Association match-play tournament. Advertisement Fifty-six club pros from throughout Oregon and southwest Washington entered the competition. They were slotted in a bracket, then given a deadline to complete each round of matches. The players hook up, mutually agree on a course — most often a very nice one that requires each player to travel about the same distance — then play and report the results. The tournament used to be held at one site, says Amy Kerle of the Oregon Chapter, but participation was relatively sparse because many pros didn’t want to take the time off to travel and stay. The new, flexible format was instituted last year and has resulted in a much larger field. Fisher has three victories under his belt, the most recent a 2-up win over Mark Sivara of Eugene Country Club on Monday at Pacific Dunes in Bandon. Two more triumphs would give him the title and a winner’s check of $2,000. One more win and he’s guaranteed at least the $1,400 runner- up prize. The semifinals and finals will be Aug. 10 at Wildhorse Resort and Casino near Pendleton. Fisher, the former longtime head pro at Grants Pass Country Club who has set up his teaching practice at Quail Point Golf Course, credits his short game as being the difference in each of his matches. "In every one of my matches, the other guy’s short game has kind of abandoned him," says Fisher, "and I was able to take advantage." It makes sense, really. The prevailing notion is that the short game is the first to go when you get away from the game for a while. This being the busy season for club pros, they don’t get to play or practice a great deal. "I think that’s pretty fair to say," he says, "especially when you’re looking at chipping and touch and pitching. I’m trying to make sure I spend time with that stuff, and it’s paying off, it really is." The win over Sivara provided a measure of revenge for Fisher, who was ousted from the tournament by his friend a year ago. Fisher got off to a fast start, taking a 2-up lead through three holes. Sivara got to 1 down on several occasions but couldn’t get over the hump. At the 18th, Fisher made birdie to Sivara’s par to close out the match. "There was a one-and-a-half-club wind blowing, so you had to play some golf shots," says Fisher. "That made for a great match-play situation. We both totally agreed when it was over that it was a really good match." Although it paid dividends to have his wedge in his hands in preparation, it will be his driver that "finds its way into my hands," next, says Fisher. It was as if they’d never met, but Fisher persevered. The victory portends good things because it was Sivara who knocked off defending champion Bob Rannow of Sand Pines Golf Course in the previous round, 2 and 1. Rannow had dispatched in the first round one of only two other local players in the Southern Oregon quarter of the bracket, Pat Akins of Stone Ridge Golf Club. In another first-round match, Eagle Point Golf Course’s Corey Henricks defeated Brad Leiken of Oak Hills Golf Course in Sutherlin on the 19th hole. Fisher then downed Henricks, 1-up. In the first round, Fisher, who turns 50 in September and will be eligible for senior events, defeated John Grothe of Bandon Dunes Golf Course, 3 and 2. Fisher doesn’t know who his next opponent will be. He’s the only player to have reached the semifinals. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times