The prodigal son returns...

I remember starting this blog quite a few years ago, in an effort to simply chronicle my exploits and adventures with golf. In that time, I've been fortunate to play many courses, great and otherwise, and meet many people who epitomized (and exploited) the gentlemen of golf, and vastly improved my game through hours of practice.

For all of this, I lost sight of a few things, namely the amount of time that I could have been with my family. While my coaching duties required my attention, it was the additional time that I put in beyond that required that took me away from my family. Beyond weak justifications, I finally realized that I was missing a huge part of my family due to my own actions. It was time for me to take a step away.

In the nearing two years since that time, I've played golf a total of four times, namely in charity tournaments with some buddies, but I didn't miss the game. I guess all the hours that I had put in (and away from my family) had been more than enough to satisfy the longing that I may have had.

I got an email the other day from our local golf course (the ownership is changing, and this website may quickly become outdated). Basically, there have been some positive changes made at the local golf course (new management and all) and in short, the rest of my family are interested in taking advantage of this and obtaining a membership. I guess it's funny how things go full circle. My son has a renewed interest in it, and is actually listening and following instruction. The wife is ready to take up the sport as well. All of this without my persuasion, I might add.

I'm excited about this next chapter in our lives. As I told my wife the other day as we discussed this possibility, I was always a bit jealous of the neighborhood men whose wifes would join them to play a round or two here and there. Maybe deep down, it was something I had wished for, and wow...here we are.

Pictured above, the split fairway Par-5 #11.

Shazam!

On the Radio...Once Again!

There were times in my life when I couldn't get to the stadium or field to watch a game. Didn't really matter the sport, but I have to say that there is something almost mystical about listening to a game on the radio.

I remember the Knicks making a play-off run in the mid-90's, listening as I was driving back to Hunstville, a four-hour drive from my wife's home town. I can remember listening to various games while doing dishes at Mr. Gatti's. And most fondly, I remember listening to football and baseball games in my current town. I cannot emphasize how nice it is to hear someone describe the action so well that you can picture it all yourself.

My town's got a game tonight. And as far as I know, this is the first time in about five years or so that they have been broadcast over the radio waves. Knowing half the players (they were in my class at one point or another) in addition to my wife's nephew being a starting sophomore, I'm excited to listen to the game.

Any thoughts? Feel free to share...

Shazam!

Minor Leagues aren't Minor

Last night was the first time I've ever attended an ice hockey game.

It was, most importantly, a pleasant and positive experience for me and the family.

While the game of hockey isn't something I've been excited about before (save Colorado's championship run with Patrick Roy in 1996), this is more about the whole experience of it.

See, I've been to various professional sports. Probably not as many as my friend ReShawn, but my fair share.

Of all the professional sports, I'd have to say that that the minor leagues rock. Period. I've never had a better time (playoffs notwithstanding) at a professional sporting event than at the minors.

Baseball is perhaps the best all around. I've been to AA, AAA, and MLB games. Love them all. It was simply just a great family experience, but you could still get "adult" with it, if you get what I mean.

NFL...geez...it was a bunch of hype. I had a better time staying at home and watching the game. NBA? Well, it was better, but honestly, you had to have kick ass seats to really enjoy the experience (NFL, pretty much same thing in that regard). I've not been to a NHL hockey or MLS soccer match, but I would imagine it being quite similar.

I'm sure that the company you keep plays a big part in all of this. I've been fortunate to have had great company at all of these games. It just seems that the hokey little things that happen at the minor league games (can you say Puffy Taco race at Nelson Wolff Stadium?) really make it that much of an experience.

I'm sure that you can have a great experience at a major league sporting event; I simply can't afford those kinda seats. I wish I could, but I simply can't.

Ten bucks got me thirteen rows away from the glass. My son got high fives without being elbowed or shoved down, going to the players' tunnel at the last moment.

Maybe it's just a perspective thing, but I like the minors.

Now I gotta find out when the Missions host the Hooks...

A Higher Standard

So my son's team played in the season ending tournament, and did quite well. While it didn't matter that we finished second, what did matter was the behavior of a few adults.

Anyone who has attended a Little League game (or pretty much any other youth sports activity) will witness kids playing and competing. You'll see young stars play a level above many of their team mates, and you will also see a great many beginners make mistakes. That's all part of youth sports. What grinds at me is the adults that ruin the party.

When is it ever appropriate to use profanity around 7 or 8 year olds? It it okay to throw your hat when a play goes awry? How about yelling (not loudly coaching mind you...) at a player? Here's one: the team isn't quite performing as well as they should, so you call the boys for a practice one weekend and force them to wear pink shorts, or hats or shirts for the duration of the practice. Don't feel like the rules are working in your favor? Go chew out some of the volunteers and criticize their volunteered time and efforts.

Obviously, I've got my opinions. Notice, I never pointed out parents. Because they, along with coaches, are equally invovled and should maintain that high standard. The youth that particiapte, along with the newly involved that you get each season, see these antics (because they stand out a lot more than the positive encouragement that is everpresent) and get the idea that it's acceptable.

It's not folks. I'm sure that some may say that wearing a bit of pink won't kill you, but I fail to see the point in boys wearing pink as a punishment. Yelling [insert sarcasm] always makes someone want to work harder.

But what do I know right? I've only got experience volunteering with YMCA, Special Olympics, Spurs League, and Little League, combined with years as a high school coach. I'm not going to say that my way is the ONLY right way, but there are definitely wrong ways out there.

Go ahead and make a comment. I promise only positive encouragement.

Final Quote: "All keep an open mind and a compassionate heart." - Phil Jackson

Tiger Woods...

8 and 7.

Six of the last seven; sixteen of the last thirty.

I remember my dad telling me that I should watch Jordan play his last few games before hanging it all up (at least the first time, before being subjected to Rodman's antics). I'm glad I did. Maybe golfers should take note and take some time to watch some really good golf.

Okay, to those of you that don't speak golf, here a great write-up.

Weekend of Sports

The New York Giants win the Super Bowl.

I liked it. A great game, no matter who you were rooting for. Obviously, bittersweet for the Pats as they were seeking an undefeated season. As Steve Hahn of local station 99.5 KISS put it, "The Giants are a team of destiny!" I was rooting for them, even though they beat my beloved Cowboys. Congrats to the Giants, and to Eli for his MVP effort. I truly thought he was sacked on that 3rd and long play. Wow.

Tiger continues his dominance at Dubai.

Yes, Tiger took care of business in dramatic fashion this weekend. Down four going into the final round, Tiger biridied five of the last seven holes to take the trophy. Niceness!

I didn't get to watch too much of this, but from what I did see, words cannot describe. Drama all the way. Keep it up, Tiger.

Tiger's Roar

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a Tiger Woods fan.

I like him for more reasons than one. Let's see, he and I are both half-Thai (our moms!). He and I are both December babies. We both like golf. The similarities end there pretty much. Oh, he and I have dark hair. That's it.

Tiger just won his 62nd PGA tournament, tying him with Arnold Palmer on the all time list. Twenty more and he can surpass Sam Snead's 82 wins.

Is he that good? Damn right. Could he be better? Yes. And for that, it proves how good he is.

Of course, in the game, you drive it to the fairway, hit your approach onto the green and one- or two-putt for birdie or par. Tiger? Well, for not hitting into the fairway as often as he should, he still laps the competition. If you've never hit a golf ball from the rough, try it. Now, get your ball to stick the green. Under PGA conditions. With the entire hold stacked four deep with spectators. For a million dollar check. That's when reality hits. I'm still waiting for Tiger to repeat his Tiger Slam, holding all four trophys at one time.

Perhaps someone will mention, "Well, if Tiger is so good, then how come he doesn't talk more with the press?" I think that stars of any venue, whether it be sports, acting, singing, or any other notoriety, should be courteous to their fan base and supportive of the press that feeds that base. I also can only imagine how difficult it could be with the current state of the paparazzi and how any and everything is blown up to effect drama. While I would love to read more about Tiger, or even just watch an interview with him, I understand his take on the media's sometimes motives about creating drama.

Oh well. Keep up the good work Tiger.

The Cost of Winning

A what point does winning take priority? When does the application of rules need to be considered? I ask all of this after reading this simple yet introspective incident about a Muslim DC runner who was recently disqualified.

Now obviously there's two points to consider. The runner's and her family/friends; and, those whoe are competinging or are completely removed from the situation (this does raise some hair splits, but I'll get into that in a bit).

Juashaunna Kelly is a Senior long distance runner, with the best 1-mile and 2-mile times in the city, runs with a balaclava-type outfit (think cat-suit with a hood) that she made into half and half school colors. She wears this entirely under her school provided running outfit. The big deal? Kelly was DQ'ed at the Montgomery Invitational. Still don't get it? This race was essentially her ticket into the Collegiate Inviational in New York, a haven for college running recruitment (only the top runner make it here, so...). Why her DQ? The outfit didn't conform to the rules established by National Federation of State High School Associations. Kelly states that she has "been wearing this for three years, and I've never had a [problem]. ..I ran [here] last year without a problem". While meet officials state that they must have overlooked it last year, Kelly's mother Sarah Kelly points out, "How can you miss it? [She's the one in] orange and blue...and the fastest time."

An athlete is competing against you and your team. This athelte is quite talented. Fortunately for you and your team, you know she is in violation of the dress code standards for the race. You turn her in. Quite a scenario, right? Perhaps a bit over dramatic, but I don't understand how this became an issue this year, and not previously. I'd wager that a coach brought this up, and wouldn't budge on the issue. A DQ is a serious step. It is mentioned that the officials did explain/give Kelly her options before the DQ, but this itself comes across quite unclear in all the various reports and interviews. A DQ was the penalty prescribed by the rules, but was it too strict?

I think in the end, it was. Sure, a DQ was the ultimate penalty, but what serious competitor wants to win because the competition couldn't compete? Oh, you could say that that option was there. Was it, considering her religious beliefs? Did the bodysuit give a competitive advantage? No. I think because of this (again, it provided her a means to compete without a competitive edge while following her religious beliefs) certain considerations could have been afforded. There was no money at stake; she's proven herself a capable runner with top times this competitive season. In the end. what was the result? Sure another runner won (which wasn't reported on the national wire), but the tournament and its directors got bad press, and various outlets get to cry outrage at this travesty. That's what it is: shortchange the kid who is really good, a bit different, and "Oh hey, they are breaking this small rule; let's get 'em!". I'm sure there are those that may disagree. "Follow the rules; no exceptions. Period."

Interesting counterpoint? Well, check back later for a follow up.