Mar 3, 2018 By Mike Dudurich for The 4 min read

Remember that thrilling playoff in the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmont Country Club?

Ernie Els, Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie were the last men standing after a grueling week that included temperatures near 100 and humidity to match, Arnold Palmer’s final U.S. Open and several controversial rulings.

You may remember that Els beat Roberts in the second sudden-death playoff after Montgomerie was eliminated in the 18-hole playoff.

Well, cherish that memory. The United States Golf Association announced this week that the next-day, 18-hole playoff is now part of golf’s history. From this point forward, all four U.S. Opens — the U.S. Open, the U.S. Senior Open, the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Women’s Open — will be decided with a two-hole playoff.

It’s a much-needed change that, unless J.B. Holmes or any of his other slow-play compadres are involved, should eliminate Monday finishes. While those sometimes provided great drama — like in 2008 when Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines — they were logistical nightmare for all involved.

The playoffs will be aggregate events, meaning the best total score after two holes wins. If there is no winner, then the playoff continues in a sudden-death fashion.

To me, it’s a win across the board. There’s no advantage to anyone in a Monday playoff. TV doesn’t like it because the ratings drop. Fans don’t like it because many are scheduled to be heading home Monday morning, not going to the golf course again. Same for the media.

And, in reality, adding another day to an already grueling week just doesn’t make a lot of sense.

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Jack Nicklaus poured some gasoline on the fire last weekend when he renewed his call for the golf ball to be rolled back in an effort to slow down the ever-increasing distances players, particularly professionals, are hitting the ball.

He appears to have an ally in that viewpoint in the person of USGA Executive Director Mike Davis, especially after the two had dinner last week.

Both of them know something has to be done, just as they know there will be a major firefight from golf ball manufacturers if that does happen.

The USGA says it’s working on a change and that one is necessary. This after years of saying their research did not show any increase in the distance the ball was being hit. Honestly, that’s what they said.

Bubba Watson one-hopped onto a green Thursday from 369 yards in Mexico. Tiger Woods, the guy who had four back procedures, measured 361 yards a couple weeks ago.

It’s definitely time for a change.

I’m not sure why it’s so difficult. Why can’t there be a tournament ball for the professionals and the current balls for us mere mortals?

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The Tri-State Section PGA announced its annual award winners this week and the Golf Professional of the Year was Ron Leporati at the Old Course at Bedford Springs Resort.

Other award winners were:

n Merchandiser of the Year — Private: Alexander Childs, Fox Chapel Golf Club; Public: John Kerins, Tam O’Shanter Golf Course; Resort: Jamie Hamilton of The Greenbrier.

n Youth Player Development — Bob Collins, Bob Collins Golf Instruction.

n Teacher of the Year — Eric Johnson, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Fourth time he’s won.

n Horton Smith — Jim Cichra, RMU Island Sports Center Golf Dome.

n Bill Strausbaugh — John Aber, Allegheny Country Club.

n Player Development — Derek DeJidas, Longue Vue Club.

n Patriot Award — Ron Lucas, Scally’s Golf Center.

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Do you have an interesting story about your club or course or an individual who has done something special, let me know. Send your story ideas to mike.dudurich@gmail.com.