This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

“The” Open is always one of my favorite golf events to watch on TV.

One reason is that the event showcases links-style courses in Europe and that often brings out the best in many golfers who are more accustomed to “parkland” golf courses in the United States.

Sometimes the event is won by a golfer who had not prevailed previously in the “majors.”

Such was the case last year when Shane Lowry won in his homeland.  And, such was the case this year when American journeyman Brian Harman took the Claret Jug by a whopping six shots.

His putter did the work for him.

But, there were a few other general perceptions for me in this year’s “Open” (and far be it from me to call it the “British Open,” thus riling up many Brits if I made this “mistake.”)

• The first is that, while he faltered on occasion, Harman rallied after every bogey, usually with a birdie.  Or, with a saving bar putt, such as on the last hole when he got up and down from a bunker.
• In the final round, starting with a six-shot lead, he never let that lead get down below three, thus avoiding a negative reputation of the sort European golfer Jean Van de Velde earned by throwing away the Open on his last hole at Carnoustie.
• And, then, how about Harman’s “waggles?”  Before hitting any shot, he waggled, often excessively.  Like others, I even began to count the waggles, sometimes getting up as high as 12.
• Waggling became an issue in stories by several on-line golf publications, some going as far as to compare Harman to Sergio Garcia, who became famous – or not so famous – for being “Sergio-esque” when he couldn’t pull the trigger.  Or, Kevin Na when he had trouble bringing the club back.  Harman, waggles and all, had no such trouble.

So, when all is said and done, give Harman credit. 

I do.  His win sealed his reputation as a solid golfer and, perhaps, even earned him consideration to join United States’ Captain Zach Johnson’s team in the upcoming Ryder Cup in only a few weeks when selections will be made for America’s 12-man team.