A Very Special Day For Some Very Special Olympics

What do you get when you cross great weather, a great cause, and the sport of golf? You get an amazing day. As if waking up this morning in the wonderful triad area of North Carolina to 80 degrees, sunshine and a light breeze wasn't enough of a gift. Then playing a golf tournament certainly was. Today marked the day of the Special Olympics fundraiser golf tournament. Graciously hosted by Oak Hollow Golf Course and put on by our very own, soon to be eagle scout, Kyle C. Rush. Twenty-Four golfers and six teams showed up for play today, including a four man team of our very own local Special Olympics golf team. From set up this morning, to sunset this evening a very special event took place. When the opening tee time was set to kick off at 12 40 EST a small gallery formed around our Special Olympian team, the opening introduction went out, and with a little humor and the familiar smack of a golf club hitting its mark and the tournament was on its way. Our golfer nailed the shot just left of the main fairway, but left himself a very make able lye and soon the rest of the team followed. Soon after the golf once was once alive with the applause of fans, competitors and volunteers for these very special athletes. At the turn of nine holes we had our first leader. A young man by the name of Web Grubb had taken the lead for individual at three under par and his team led the field by about two strokes going into the back nine. Play followed suit much as it did through the first nine. But even from our perch atop the 16th green the yells and get-downs of our special Olympians could be heard from the tee boxes of the par three. Though they may have special needs outside the golf course, you could never that they had them on it. They played and focused as if this was a major tournament. They bickered and laughed and competed with nothing but class. Even staying around afterwards to present trophies to those who had played to benefit them and their collegues. Next came the raffle, which was very interesting. Players, when they registered, bought mulligans or in lay mens terms... hitting the reset button. For five dollars a piece you could help lower your score, benefit a good cause and get a few raffle tickets to win prizes, now thats genius! Could you imagine how much money E.A. would have if they charged us just 2 dollars everytime we hit reset on our copy of Tiger Woods PGA tour. There would simply be no economy problems thats for sure. Players were entered to win anything from golf balls to a 19" TV. But before i go on, i would like to congradulate, on behalf of the tournament, our individual and team winners. In first place on the individual level was Web Grubb who shot 1 under on 18 holes. And on the team level was a team sponsored by our local private school High Point Christian Academy which featured team captain David Spencer, Steve Segers and his two sons Brian and Jonathan. Whether it was parents of volunteers to each competitor, to golf course workers, I can say for sure everyone had a wonderful time. And it never hurts to benefit a good cause while your at it. The tournament managed to raise in excess of 600 dollars for the special olympics. And thats what you get when you mix one of the world's greatest sports, with one of its most special events.
Nick Anders
We will soon be posting pictures and comments for this event

Day 2 at The Open

The typicall Scottish weather returned to Turnberry on Friday which greately effected scoring. While 50 people were in red numbers on Thursday only 6 managed that feat today. One thing that failed to show up however was Tiger's golf game. After a smooth start he had a disasterous middle of the round and had a pair of double bogeys (on 10 and 13). In a 6 hole stretch Tiger was 7 over. So we will see no Tiger during the weekend as he missed the cut by one but we will see Tom Watson and plenty of him. Watson started with a birdie at the first with a raise of the putter head bolted to -6. His time at -6 was short lived as he bogeyed his second hole. Then came a stretch that several THOUGHT was Watson's demise as he bogeyed holes 4, 5, 6, & 7. HOWEVER this is a proven champion and is nothing he hasn't overcome before. Today would be no different as he birdied 9 and 11, Then with a bomb from the back of the 16th green made another birdie putting him back to -4. As good as that was we were only getting a sample of the 18th. After his approach found the back right fringe he was not to be denied a share of the lead with another long range putt or as Watson called it "feild goals". Who is he sharing the lead with? Steve Marino who had a solid 67 yesterday and followed it up with one of the 6 rounds under par, a 2 under 68. Not bad for a tournament alternate. Marino played last week at the John Deere Classic where he was notified that he would be playing in the Open. He then had to call his dad to fly to Florida to get his passport. 6 short days later and only 4 rounds of links golf in his life under his belt he shares the Open Championship lead with an 8 time major champion.......Tom Watson. How about that for your final group. I thought Watson would play well and be in contention but now it seems that he very well could hoist the Claryet Jug for the 6th time. He's confident playing well and as a added bonus his putting (what he was "not confident with") was solid and capped off with fireworks at 16 and 18. Another veteran is also in contention just 1 off the pace..............Mark Calcavecchia. Bad back and foot no problem as he to has found some of his old magic fronm the '99 Open. There is no doubt who the crowd will be behind this weekend. Watson will have the crowd, his toughness, and most of all his determination and he isn't scared of anyone. I think his low leg kick and fistpump on 18 is a sign of things to come this weekend. Who says 59 years young is to old to compete with the young guns. NOT TOM WATSON that is a fact.
Kyle C. Rush

Roundup of day 1 at The Open Championship

Wow where do you start in a first day with its share of surprises. From the weather which was anything but Open Championship like with almost no wind and no rain. To 59 year old Tom Watson looking like he did 32 years ago when he won at Turnberry. Watson even told the media after the round "I almost feel like i did 32 years ago except I am less confident with my putting." Last time I checked a bogey free clinic is not bad putting which begs the question......"What happens if he does get confident with the flatstick?" A 6th Open title is not out of the realm of possibility. As i said in the preview Watson can win this golf tournament and definately contend during the weekend. While some may say "he can't carry out this performance during a 4 day stretch especially if typicall Scottish winds return." I STRONGLY disagree, Watson is definately a proven champ with 5 Open titles to his credit during the era's of the Nicklaus', Palmer's, Player's, and Ballesteros' of the world. Not bad competition ehh. Also on a day where it seemed under par was the norm worlds #1 couldn't even get to level par as he finished with a +1 71. Tiger didn't hit many fairways made crucial mistakes, such as hitting it into the burn on 16, and had 30 putts. On a day when Miguel Angel Jimmenez shoots 64 for a stroke lead over Watson Tiger was out of rythem and anything but Tigerlike. Another surprise on the leaderboard was John Daly. While for many this was a complete shock for some it became of no surprise. Yes, he hasn't played on the PGA tour much this season he has spent ample time on the European Tour and has played well. Can he keep up his good play? I don't know if he knows that answer. O'Merea also returned to old form as he posted a solid 67 and showed everyone hes till got some left in the tank. As for the bid for a three peat for Paddy? Well it wasn't a bad round and he hit some very high quality shots he wasn't able to convert on some of his birdie opportunities but is well in range only 5 behind. So as we prepare for day 2 it will be interesting to see how the "surprises" handle themselves now that they find themselves dealing with "major championship leaderboard pressure". My prediction is this: scoring won't be nearly as good as today but there will be players that find a way to post a low number. Tiger will have his kinks worked out and will play solid and if he gets in a rythem we will experience the "Tiger effect" as he surges up the leaderboard. However Watson WILL NOT go away he knows how to play championship golf he has been there before and also he will not back down to any "Tiger Charge"
Kyle C. Rush

What to expect at the British Open

There are a few things we know are almost bound to happen this week at Turnberry:
1) Tiger will make the cut as he has never missed the cut in his career at a British Open

2) Not only will he make the cut he will be in the top 10 and have a shot to win on Sunday as in every major the past 2 years he has been in the top 10.

3) Phill cant choke away another major as he will not be playing and spending time w/ his wife and we wish them all the best
At last years Open golf fans were awed by the sudden appearance of the Shark (Greg Norman). So where did a run like that possibly come from and can it happen again? We see it in every major, after the first couple days we look at a leaderboard and think.........Who is that guy? Or ..........He's still playing? As for potential surprise runs this year.....well the course at Turnberry is not terribly long which brings guys in play who we may have forgotten about such as Tom Watson. Yes he is 59 years young but with the shorter track and a proven champion can you really count him out. Sure he only has 5 Opens to his credit but he's well over the "sports hill".......or is he? Also don't be surprised if we see that guy who never has been able to finish at Augusta and until last years open it didn't seem as if he would play there again. Yes I'm talking about Greg Norman, he has played this year more than last and almost made the cut at what now is a "Tiger Proofed" Augusta National. Am I saying Norman's a favorite, absolutely not, but he is one who could make the Scots be buzzing come the weekend. Then there are those who seemed to be among the "Tiger challengers" and yet have no major in there careers. Such as Sergio Garcia who had a dismal start to the year and thats being a little kind......I wounder the irony of him breaking up with who else but Greg Norman's Daughter. A difference between Norman and Garcia.....Norman has majors and Sergio........well is still searching. But as is the case in any Open championship you MUST keep your tee shot out of the bunkers on steroids as it has bogey or worse all over it. So is it Sergio's time......a few things say it may be, first Sergio is a great ball striker which is a must at the Open and especially at Turnberry. But who are we kidding Tiger's playing right..........yes but before we hand him the trophy lets see how he can handle the mere 21 additional bunkers at Turnberry since Price won in '94. Granted anyone remember Hoyalake......thats right Tiger avoided the mines in the fairways by only hitting 1 driver in 72 holes and won. So I look forward to an Open with several potential story lines from "Watson shines old glory" to "Tiger need anyone say more". One thing is a fact........the Scots have no sympathy for Americans on there golf courses.....but can you blame them......they are the ones who started this wonderful game and what is better than the best in the world playing a major at the home of golf..Scotland. So bring out the bagpipes and enjoy the 2009 British Open
Kyle C. Rush

All Star Weekend 09

This week was a big one for Major League Baseball. I think. Considering how many fans were in the stadium and the seemingly common attitude of time flies when nothing is on TV, it doesn't seem as if the all star game mattered. But wait, it does. The MLB in their infinite wisdom made sure this, like the previous 5, determined what league gets home field in the World Series. (As if a record isn't good enough) Sure the futures game is ok, the home run derby still proves than guys off the juice, Prince Fielder, can hit the ball farther than guys on it, Alex Rodriguez, and who doesnt like watching celebrities embarrass themselves on national television. And not because they try to play baseball with Hall of Famers, but because they play softball that makes an 8 yr olds coach pitch league look like the Olympics. Anyway, though the house that Albert built was full of enthusiastic (yet few) fans and a gracious city whose backdrop is comparable to some of the best scenery in the U.S., they still made it seem too important. That's why I don't like the idea of it determining home field, in one of the worlds more traditionally entertaining and player deserving opportunity, it has now become about politics, money, and overly competitive meaning. I mean how else would you explain Manny almost making it in, Brandon Inge getting into the derby, and Victor Martinez being intentionally walked in a game they lost anyway. The most exciting thing for fans though was seeing someone throw a first pitch and actually making to the plate without hitting umpires or a backstop, and oh yeah the extra security at the stadium. The shortest All Star game in over 20 years and one of the ten shortest in MLB history, the only one without a home run, and one of four to have an MVP who didn't even drive in a run, boring and sports are two word I try to separate as much as possible, but there is no other word. Baseball is slowly dwindling away in the minds of the everyday fan. Let's hope Selig or someone can bring the umf back to the game that we once had, before its too late. Help us Bud Selig, You're our only hope. (Scary thought) - Nick