If Tropical Storm Fay makes a western turn after running through Florida this week, it should come as no surprise to Jason Bohn. Black clouds have been over the Mifflinburg High School graduate for the last two years.
First, a rib cage injury kept him out six months starting in June 2007. Then came a herniated disc in his back that sidelined him for six weeks earlier this summer. Now he’s been hospitalized for more than a week on the eve of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
Despite all of the physical problems, Bohn managed to play well enough to keep his Tour card and qualify for the start of the playoffs this weekend in Paramus, N.J., with The Barclays tournament.
Bohn played in 13 events this year, making eight cuts — including a third-place finish at the Wachovia Championship that secured his full-time playing privileges for 2008 and essentially gave him enough FedEx Cup points to qualify for the Tour playoffs. But he'll have to watch the four-tournament playoffs on TV, like all of the fans and weekend hackers.
His timetable for return to pro golf remains a question mark. One thing that can’t been questioned is Bohn's toughness.
The 35-year-old played through the rib cage problem to tee it up for two rounds last year with Tiger Woods at the tournament in Washington, D.C., that the world's top player hosts. He suffered through two rounds of this year's U.S. Open, with shooting pain down his back and left leg — just to say he finally played in a U.S. Open after 17 years of trying to qualify.
Then came another break from the game. Bohn said he could deal with missing six weeks as opposed to the six months he missed with the rib injury. The latest setback is pretty difficult mentally, however.
Bohn currently is 94th on the 2008 money list with $866,786. The top 125 on the year-end money list maintain full-time playing privileges for 2009.
The Georgia resident has one Tour win (2005 B.C. Open) and two second-place finishes in 118 events spanning five seasons on golf's most visible stage.
Bohn won't be the only one missing the Tour playoffs. The 144-player field has been reduced to 136 because of additional absentees: Tiger Woods (ranked 1st), Luke Donald (44th), Lee Westwood (50th), Justin Rose (78th), Alex Cejka (91st), Bob Estes (124th) and Roland Thatcher (140th).
In addition to the FedEx Cup playoffs, the seven-event Fall Series starts Sept. 18-21, with the Viking Classic in Madison, Miss.
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Bohn will miss FedEx Cup playoffs
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H.S. Track & Field notebook: Better late than never
As soon as the Class AA boys javelin throwers were finished Friday morning, Lewisburg’s Brandon Smith left his fellow competitors at the throwing area and took off for Seth Grove Stadium track, trying to hurry while negotiating the heavy foot traffic of fans, coaches and athletes.
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Keller runs to his first victory
Amazing. That was the simple reply from Cody Keller after capping the long comeback from injury win his first sprint car race Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway.
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Zaktansky: Life lessons learned from an earthworm
On my hands and knees, I slogged forward.
The steady rain had long before soaked through my clothes and turned the ground underneath me into a slick film of runny mud. My back hurt, my fingers were caked with brown goop and my mouth was aching from holding a small flashlight as I slowly scanned the backyard. -
Indigo buntings grace the Valley
Summer is the best time for viewing a spectrum of colorful birds.
Like most bird species, it is the male who exhibits bright coloration. From the orange and black patterns of the northern oriole to the scarlet tanager and yellow warbler and the rose-breasted grosbeak — all make a spectacle of themselves. -
Don Steese column: Counting the days
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally the start of the summer vacation season. Kids are out school, the weather is beautiful and all is well with the world ... except for folks like myself, who find themselves counting the days until fall.
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Hartley, Billas fight off heat
Melanie Hartley was drained, a puddle of nerves and perspiration after a brutal 400-meter dash. While the official thermometer at Shippensburg University flirted with 90 degrees on Saturday, the heavy dose of humidity had the packed house at Seth Grove Stadium sweltering.
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Moore bags two medals
Matt Moore is a hard guy to please. Or at least, he finds it hard to take pleasure in his own track and field performances.
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Ken Maurer column: More talk about bass
This past week I attended 2 meetings involving the PFBC.
The first was in Harrisburg where fish commission officials explained to the state senators why they want the DEP to place the Susquehanna River on the “impaired” list. DEP has refused once, and the PFBC has reapplied. -
Scott Dudinskie's high school baseball column: Reich still going strong
Bryan Reich feels it with every pitch he throws. Some would call it pain, maybe discomfort. The Milton right-hander chooses "annoyance."
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State Track & Field updates
Get updates throughout the day on how Valley athletes are faring at the PIAA Track & Field Championships in Shippensburg.
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H.S. Track & Field notebook: Better late than never
