What if the PGA Tour Went Extinct?

Remember the old philosophical question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, would it make a sound? Well ponder this: If the PGA Tour were to disappear tomorrow, would anyone really care?

A couple years ago, I wrote about the economics of golf, and how the pro tours only contribute a measly 1% to golf's total economic impact.

So from a financial standpoint, the PGA Tour could dissolve overnight without much monetary backlash to the golf industry. The golf equipment and apparel machine would still be cranking-out merchandise to supply millions of weekend hacks throughout the world.

But for how long? With the tour defunct, wouldn't the average golfer begin to dwindle in numbers? Well, I guess that depends on how popular the tour is with the golfing masses to begin with. For example, a decade ago I would have been laughed at for even suggesting a post like this one - after all, the hero on tour was one of the most recognizable athletes in all of sports.

Ah, but today he's barley the shell of his former self and as a result, the PGA Tour has taken one giant leap back into obscurity. Perhaps more detrimental is that no one has taken his place. Want proof? Turn on ESPN any given Sunday an you'll see them lead the golf segment talking about Tiger's third-place finish, rather than the poor schlep who actually took home the trophy.

With no face to the organization and television ratings that are basically nonexistent, it makes you wonder if it's all worth the effort? Rolling into a new city every week and setting up shop on some corporate sponsor's dime (could have donated that money to build a new cancer wing at the local hospital or something); trotting out a B-list of tour pros to go through the motions in front of a sparse gallery of spectators; turning on the HD cameras that broadcast to an equally paltry television audience. One has to ask themselves: Does the ends justify the means?

Sure, if the PGA Tour were no longer, some diehard fans would be disappointed (not to mention some of our fellow golf bloggers) and local establishments near tour stops would miss the boost in sales. But the top pros would head over to the European Tour (which would subsequently be broadcast more frequently here in the U.S.) and golf life for you and me would pretty much remain unchanged.

Not many golfers I know are quitting because they stink - no sir, we just keep on playing no matter what the game throws at us. And perhaps that's the most fundamental point - We don't play this game because the PGA Tour is so great, we play it because golf is great (if anything, watching the scratch players gives us more of a complex).

So, what if the PGA Tour went extinct? As long as the European Tour added a stop at The Masters, I'd be happy. So perhaps I should re-phrase my question: If the PGA Tour went extinct, so what?

Read more »

Tiger Wins! Now How Long Will We Have To Hear About It?

He won. And for real this time. This time it wasn't just an over-abundance of highlights showing the third place finisher. This time it wasn't the media basically handing him the win after the second round. He actually won this time! And I gotta tell ya, I'm not looking forward to hearing about it.

I can picture it already. ESPN will be dropping to their knees (as usual) for Tiger. They can't wait to just ram it down our throats. As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to just avoid watching ESPN for the next couple of days. Well, outside of Monday Night Football of course.

But seriously, Friday night ESPN was already handing the tournament over to Tiger again! Do they understand there are four rounds to a golf tournament? Watching SportsCenter, I saw one of their sidebar stories state that Tiger had a "Big Lead" after the second round. So I stuck around to see how big it was. Three strokes. Really? Three strokes is considered a "Big Lead" halfway through a tournament?! Well, I guess when Tiger holds the lead it is. Even after the third round, when he lost the lead, it was still all Tiger high-lights. Zach Johnson was just an after thought.

Seriously, come on. When is that stuff gonna stop? People were growing tired of Tiger before his "transgressions." More were sick of him afterward. And now, even more are just sick and tired of him and the media who continues to just shove him down our throats! I know it's going to be all over ESPN, so the only saving grace I have is the NFL.

One place where ESPN has not lost any understanding is that the NFL comes before just about everything else. It comes before baseball. It comes before basketball. It comes before college sports (obviously this does not include World Series games or college championships and bowl games). And it certainly comes before golf. Of course, at the time of my writing, SportsCenter has yet to air. But if history is any indicator, Tiger's victory will not lead after a day an NFL Sunday. But, I can only hope.

However, could you imagine if this victory came outside of football season? I think I would physically choke on the coverage. Add another reason to the list that football is my favorite sport.

Swing 'til you're happy!

Read more »

Chicks? No. Dudes Dig The Long Ball!

Quick, name five players on the LPGA Tour. Ha! It wasn't as easy as you thought, was it? Don't worry, it wasn't for me either. As a matter of fact, I scrolled down the money leader list and by the time I reached the bottom, a list of about 150 names, I was only familiar with eight or nine of them.

So what's the problem here? Is it the same as the PGA Tour? Well, yes and no. I guess the actual problem is the same, but how they got there is a bit different.

We all know about the PGA's player recognition deficiency. And we all know about the lack of player promotion by the PGA, the sponsors and the media. But this problem is compounded for the LPGA by dealing with the problem that any women's sport deals with. That problem? Simply, it's not a men's sport.

Take a look at the WNBA for a second. These women are some of the best female basketball players in the world. The last player on the bench on a WNBA team can destroy me, and most men for that matter, in a game of one-on-one. As a matter of fact, some of the women who have been cut by WNBA teams will destroy most men in a game! But despite the fact that these women can play, the game isn't as physical (and subsequently isn't as exciting) as the NBA - and that causes a lack of viewership, a lack of support at the gate and an overall lack of interest.

This same problem transfers over to the LPGA. Forget for a minute the fact that any one of the women on this tour will beat you. But take into account that, again, these are the best female players in the world! But when it comes to viewership, tournament turnout and sponsorships, that's not what matters. It's a female sport, so what matters again to viewers (especially male viewers) is the longball.

The old joke was "Chicks dig the longball." Well, guess what...dudes love the longball as well. This is why guys carry big drivers in their bags. It's why we watch the long-drive contests when they're on TV. It's the reason we watch the Home Run Derby. It's why we prefer men's sports over women's. It's not right. But that's the way it is. But what can be done to change this? Actually, is there any way to change it at all? Well, the way I see it there are two. However, one is highly unlikely and the other is just not a good one.

Idea #1 - The media needs to start pushing some women's sports to the forefront. I understand that this is a long shot, but no one is asking for it to be permanent. It just needs a little more attention. We Americans want to see excitement and physicality. We are not so much interested in the fundamentals, even though they are the foundation of the sports we love. But if ESPN would take the time to make the WNBA Championship games, or women's golf tournaments a little bit earlier in their broadcasts, it may do something to help attract more attention to sports that deserve it. However, I understand that this is highly unlikely.

Idea #2 - I'll go on the record as saying that I hate this idea. But it's an idea nonetheless, and one that has worked in the past. Maybe the LPGA needs to sex it up a bit. Again, I don't like the idea of using your appearance to somehow boost attention to your sport, but you can't deny the effect. Looked at women's tennis. Anna Kournikova became more well known for her looks than her game (or lack thereof). Ever since then, many of the women of tennis are given a fair amount of attention for what they look like. And guess what, it's been good for viewership and attention to the sport.

Want the perfect example? Think of some of the best women's soccer players in recent memory - Marta, Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Hope Solo. But years from now, just as it is currently, one name will always be remembered right alongside these - Brandi Chastain...and we all know why. That one celebration is now a permanent highlight of any women's soccer promo. And the stir that moment caused did wonders for the sport. Again, is this the right way to gain attention? Probably not. But will it work?

I guess the bottom line is women's sports in general, but golf in particular, need a boost and it's got to come from somewhere. Is the media going to do it? I doubt it. The leagues themselves? I'm sure they're trying. But if not the media or the leagues, then where? The answer is, it has to come from us, the viewers. But are we going to do it? Well that remains to be seen...

Swing 'til you're happy!

Read more »

Tiger's Back...And The Media Sure Is Letting Us Know About It!

So it looks like Tiger finally put an end to that 20 tournament losing streak. He wrapped up the WGC-Bridgestone, like he has so many times before. The longest winless streak of his career is over.

Now maybe he can just get back to his normal routine and just go back to being the same player he always...What? What do you mean he didn't win? I saw him on every sports news show on TV. I saw Tiger on ESPN constantly! He must have won!

Adam Scott you say? Well I knew he was playing well, but he couldn't possibly have beaten Tiger. 17 under?! He finished 18 strokes better than Tiger?! Well then, what the hell was I watching?!

Nope, my eyes and ears did not deceive me. Tiger was never really in the hunt after Day 1, but that doesn't stop the sports media. Rather than focusing on the guy who led the tournament from start to finish, we're focused on the guy who, after the first day, was never closer than six strokes back. Rather than pay attention to the guys who finished tied for 2nd (each shooting a final round 66), we're worried about the guy who only broke 70 once in the four rounds.

I get on the PGA's case for failing to properly promote its players on the tour. But I guess that's only part of the problem. Just as much of the problem, if not more, is the media. No matter what happens (on the course anyway) the media just can't get enough of Tiger. It's been 21 straight winless tournaments, but the media acts like it's just the opposite. Once again, it's "Tiger, Tiger, Tiger....oh, and by the way, blah blah blah won."

Need an example? Friday night, I tuned into Sportscenter. Before they even showed the results of the second round, there was an entire segment on Tiger's second round struggles, even though he was only three strokes off the day before. A few segments of the show later, we get to the actual highlights of the round. Here, we see a few more strokes and reactions from Tiger before we get to see anyone who is actually in contention. Need further proof? Check out this clip

Still leading off with Tiger. We have to wait through three of Tiger's putts before we hear about the guy who won. And there's barely even a mention of either Luke Donald or Rickie Fowler, who finished tied for second. And people wonder why the sport is in the shape it's in...

So here's a bit of a plea to the mainstream media - do the sport a favor and start focusing on some of the other great players on the tour. Please realize that, until he shows otherwise, Tiger is no longer the elite player he was. Until he shows otherwise, he is a middle-of-the-pack player. OK, benefit of the doubt due to his accomplishments...he's still a top-tier player. But he is NOT the Tiger of years past. And until the time comes that he does show otherwise, why not take the time to introduce us to, and promote the other great, young talent on the tour. It can do nothing but help the sport as a whole.

Swing 'til you're happy!

Read more »

Golf After Global Warming; It's Gonna Be Great!

As I sit here looking out my window at nearly three feet of snow, I can't help but wonder whatever happened to global warming? Remember that? Here in Connecticut, that soon to be extinct white stuff fell at an unprecedented rate over the last few weeks (separate storms produced 14", 11", 2", 22" and 4" of snow within 20 days).

I guess the reality is, as long as we're driving around burning the remnants of dinosaur bones and chopping down trees like Paul Bunyon, global warming is something that will eventually happen. Oh we may not be around to see it, but our great, great, great grandkids will probably be basting in warmer temps across the globe.

Sure, the glaciers will be gone; earthquakes will be rampant; and you'll need an acid-retardant suit to go swimming in the ocean, but I'll tell you this: The golf industry will have it made!

Think about that for a second. Once global warming takes hold, most golf courses will be able to remain open year-round. Do you know what that would do the economics of golf? Today, the sport basically has an economic impact of $80 billion a year. That number could easily double to $160 billion if courses say, in Minnesota, can remain open say, in January.

Let's face it, by then, people (especially the U.S.) will probably be so unhealthy, athletic summer activities like beach volleyball, biking, and anything involving running will be out of the question for most. That being the case, many would most likely gravitate to a sport where they can ride around on a cart the entire time (especially if the cart has a roof to shade them from the massive amounts of UV light that will be coming from the sun in the future).

Now then, with so many people playing golf, merchandise and equipment will be selling like hot cakes. For example, it may not be out of the ordinary for a drugstore chain like Walgreens to have an aisle dedicated to just golf stuff; "Golf balls? Yes ma'am, pass the sunscreen aisle and the water filtration aisle, and the golf aisle will be just after that."

The PGA tour will also benefit from mass amounts of people taking up the game. It will expand to have 10,000 players competing on courses all over the world! Many tour players will be as recognizable as Derek Jeter and Tom Brady (and make as much money as those guys too). Meanwhile, Hooters Tour players will actually make enough money to support their families!

Yep, golf will be so popular, the major networks will compete to broadcast the FedEx Cup in prime time! There will literally be so many tournaments, the Golf Channel will need three networks just to cover it all (unfortunately, the programming on all three will be so lame that most people will get their golf fix on ESPN's dedicated golf network, ESPiNtheHole).

Everyone will have at least one uncle who's a golf pro at some course somewhere. And instead of riding bicycles and playing catch, kids will practice putting and chipping for hours on end and swap golf trading cards of their favorite tour players.

Yes, golf after global warming will be the cat's meow for us golfers. Of course, until then, much of the world will have to settle for waiting for the snow to melt and the ground to thaw and the grass to start growing before they can enjoy this game again. But boy will our great, great, great grandkids be lucky.

So remember, just keep ruining the planet and one day your ancestors will be able to enjoy golf year-round! Of course, all the courses will be made of AstroTurf because no grass will grow due to the giant hole in the ozone, but what the hey...

Read more »

Off Course - The Poster-Boy For All That Is Wrong With Sports

Normally, we here at Golfstinks do our thing a little differently. We tend to approach the game of golf from a slightly different angle than most others. And today is no different.

But today, I am not going to approach the game of golf at all. Just for this one post, I want to express my opinion about something else going on in the world of sports. Rather, something that went on a few days ago.

I have come to accept the fact that most athletes, superstars especially, be it a team sport or not, are more "Me, me, me" than "Team, team, team." But never (in my opinion) in the history of professional sports was it so blatantly obvious as it was with the recent LeBron James spectacle. Being a fan of all three major sports in the U.S., I was completely and utterly disgusted by the show Lebron James has been putting on for some time now. And it all came to a head on this past Thursday night. But I don't want to put all of my disgust into only Lebron. It was much more than that.

It wasn't necessarily about greed. Latrell Sprewell (who was already making over $14 million) turning down a $27 million contract, stating that he "has a family to feed" is greed. Patrick Ewing, during an NBA lockout, asking how the owners can expect them to work for the pay they are receiving as he hops into his $100,000 Mercedes, is greed. Not LeBron. He actually took less money to play elsewhere. It's not about the money. It's a different kind of greed.

I understand players marketing themselves. I get that. When their face is on TV, they make more money. And who doesn't want more money? But again...this was different. I'll start with the man himself.

Here's a guy who is, arguably, the best player in the NBA. Personally, I don't believe he is, I just believe he has the best statistics. But he has yet to win anything. In his seven years so far, he has reached the finals once - and was swept. But year in, and year out, it's all about LeBron. And year in and year out, LeBron goes home empty-handed. The "King" has yet to wear a crown. Has he elevated the status of the Cleveland Cavaliers? Certainly! Have they become a much more respected franchise? Absolutely! But does that give him the right to string them along like he did? Does that give him the right to string along the people who have supported him from game 1...the always forgotten fans?

The Cavaliers have given LeBron everything he wanted. He was paid huge amounts of money. His image plastered all over the city. He wanted different players on his teams roster, and ownership went and got them. What LeBron wanted, Lebron got. But he still couldn't get the job done. So what does he do? He parades teams in to present offers. He sets up a 1 hour TV special to showcase his decision. And he accepts the offer made by the team that will make it the easiest for him to win. And he made this decision, admittedly, without having the common courtesy to let his former team in on his decision. Don't you think that would have been the decent thing to do? At the very least, a phone call. I can't imagine a bigger slap in the face to the team that did everything for him. I'm sorry LeBron...but Michael Jordan didn't need a TV special. Kobe Bryant didn't need a TV special. And those two have actually won something. Carlos Boozer signed in Chicago, no TV special. Joe Johnson resigned with the Hawks, no TV special. Dirk Nowitzki resigned with Dallas, no TV special. Amare Stoudemire signed with the Knicks, no TV special. Chris Bosh signed with the Heat..., well...no direct TV special.

But as I mentioned, it's not only LeBron. How about ESPN's role in this. I mean really...was a 1-hour special necessary? I'll admit, I tuned in until he said where he's going. Then I changed the channel. That's all I needed to hear. Here's a message for ESPN - "I don't want to hear LeBron's feelings. I could care less. I want to watch a game! Put on a friggin' game!" I know I am not alone when I say ESPN, intentionally or not, has helped to create the "I in team" thinking. We watch basketball highlights and all we see are dunks and threes. We watch baseball highlights and all we see are home runs and spectacular catches. We watch golf highlights and all we see is Tiger Woods. And the golf highlights are the worst! Its Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, and..."oh, by the way, so-and-so is winning...Tiger is five back of the leader." According to ESPN, if Tiger is playing, then no one else is even worth mentioning until they have to be mentioned!

ESPN sucks up to the athletes. There, I said it. They can't give serious sports news or an objective opinion because they are in bed with too many athletes. It's that simple. And this LeBron James special proves it. This was not ESPN looking for an exclusive interview. This was LeBron and his representatives coming to ESPN with this idea. And ESPN, looking for ratings, soaked it up. This is a disappointing all-time low for ESPN. But wait, I have one more...

I have lost all respect for Jim Gray. How can I, or anyone, ever take him seriously again. For Jim Gray to agree to be just a pawn in this spectacle should be an outrage to anyone who considers themselves to be a good journalist. There was one question on everyone's mind...and Jim Gray loaded us with a bunch of fluff, filler and outright crap before he got to it. "How's your summer?" Are you serious?! "How's your summer?" is one of your questions?! I swear if I ever see that putz on my TV again, I am instantly changing the channel. I don't care if he's interviewing one of my family members...they can fill me in later. This was worse than when the Yankees were telling the YES network's Kimberly Jones which questions to ask Joe Torre during her interviews. It was just pathetic.

I know what LeBron James was trying to do. But it seriously backfired. The only people right now who probably don't believe that, are Miami Heat fans and LeBron fans who believe he can do no wrong. Everyone else, sports purists especially, are looking at Lebron James as selfish, narcissistic, back-stabbing, and a coward. Me included. And it's too bad because I like LeBron. But after all this, I'm just sick of him. He comes across as a player who feels he is bigger than everyone and everything else. At this point, I don't want to see him win a championship. I hope Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is right. I hope they do win a championship before LeBron does. As long as it's not against my Lakers, then it's OK with me.

In my opinion, LeBron James came out of this event representing almost everything that is wrong with sports and athletes today. There is no two-ways about it. He looked bad. Plain and simple. He looked bad. People will say that once he wins a championship, all will be forgotten. Well, try telling that to people in Cleveland.

Read more »

Are There Too Many Golf Courses?

Now that The Masters is over I have to tell you, I am all golfed out. Honestly, I may have watched about a half-hour, in total, of the tournament. But between all of the coverage on ESPN and various other sports networks and news shows, specifically the Tiger coverage, I feel like I was in the galleries all four days! I don't think I can watch another five minutes of a tournament for the rest of the year!

However, that does not curb my desire to get back out onto the many courses which my home state of Connecticut has to offer. But a couple of stories in my local news lately have me wondering...are there too many golf courses?

The obvious answer for one who loves to golf, especially those of us who enjoy playing different courses all the time, is "not a chance." How can you have too many golf courses? After all, the old saying "variety is the spice of life" indeed equates to your golf life also. Maybe the more appropriate question wouldn't be to ask if there are too many golf courses, but instead to ask, is a new golf course really necessary? Or, is there a better use for that land?

In my current hometown, a town of about 45,000, we currently have two nine-hole courses. Recently, the idea to use a piece of undeveloped public land to build another nine-hole course, was proposed by a local developer. The Economic Development Committee approved the proposal, but many spoke out at a recent Common Council meeting. In favor of the course were some local business owners hoping the course brings more people into the city. However, many spoke out against the course. Some concerns were tax and rent payments (or lack thereof), privatization of public land, outside investors and the plan meeting environmental standards. However, one major concern asked, what if the course fails? You are left with nothing more than carved up land, which would make later development more challenging, and the city expected to foot the bill. One can see where the concern would be.

My personal opinion? There are already two nine-hole courses in town. Additionally, there are four eighteen-hole courses within ten miles. Is another nine-holer necessary? As for bringing people into the city, how many golfers regularly travel to other towns to play nine-holes, especially when the surrounding towns have eighteen-hole courses? Add to that the fact there are already two nine-hole courses in this town, then how much more business is the course actually going to generate?

This reminds me a bit of a situation from the town in which I used to live. My former hometown, population of about 60,000, was home to one eighteen and two nine-hole courses. But when the idea to build a new middle school on the grounds of one of the nine-hole courses was proposed, it was met with some hostility. The course in question was, to put it lightly, a bombed-out disaster of a mortar range which I had the displeasure of playing exactly once and swore to myself to never play again. It was in fact, with no exaggeration, that bad.

But, the course was very popular with the senior crowd. It was flat, wide open and an easy course to walk if you chose. And not too mention, cheap. Due to its low (if any) maintenance costs and the popularity with seniors and first-timers, I'm sure the course made some money for the town. But the question actually was: what's more important, keeping this crappy course around to satisfy a few people who have other options, or building a new, better, safer school, in a better, safer neighborhood for 1,200 students year-in and year-out?

To me, the answer here seems obvious - kill the course. But I guess there are some of us who believe the future of our children isn't as important as having to spend an extra six bucks to play a different nine-hole course.

Now don't get me wrong, being a golfer, I'm always looking forward to a new course and feel a new course is usually a great idea. But, we also have to consider the cost. Be it a risky investment at the cost of the taxpayer, environmental issues or the future of our young students. All of these issues, and then some, have to be addressed before we can truly learn the value of a golf course.

Read more »

The Most Versatile Athlete of All Time Was...a Golfer?

A golfer was the most versatile athlete of all time you ask? That's right...she was a golfer. Wait...what? I know...you're having a hard enough time getting by the title as it is. And then I go and throw in "she."

Now you're completely thrown off! I'm obviously a few fries short of a Happy Meal. I'm sure I've even lost some credibility (what little I have) with many sports fans. Well, trust me, I would never have thought I would feel this way before I really looked into it.

But, maybe you'll even agree with me afterward. Maybe you might even consider dropping "most versatile" from the title and replacing it with, simply, "greatest." After all, being a great golfer on top of numerous other athletic accomplishments, some at an expert level, deserves a little bit more attention than being a standout at only one sport, no?

If you haven't already guessed who I'm talking about, it's a little lady by the name of Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Most people who know anything about her know the obvious - she was the greatest female golfer of her time (and one of the greatest of all-time). She was a cofounder of the LPGA. She excelled in other sports besides golf and was voted by ESPN's SportsCentury to be the 10th greatest athlete of the 20th century. While many people are aware she had other athletic achievements, I don't think most realize exactly how amazing an athlete she was. Quite honestly, she was great at everything she attempted.

Professional golf came relatively late in life for Babe. After high school, she didn't attempt to play competitively again until she was 24, which makes her golfing achievements all the more impressive. However, seventeen consecutive amateur wins later, a feat still unequaled to this day, she was ready to turn pro. Over the following eight years, Babe went on to win 41 tournaments including ten majors despite playing the final three years of her career while being treated for cancer. Even more amazing was, in 1954, just one month after surgery for colon cancer, she won the US Women's Open - her final major victory. She was also the first woman to compete on the PGA tour, missing the cut in her first attempt. It would be the last cut she would miss.

But most of us are already aware of her golfing accomplishments. What about the rest? What are the other examples which make her such an amazing athlete? It starts with basketball. Her team won an AAU championship in 1931 and she was an All-American hoops player three times.

You may have also been aware she was an Olympic athlete and participated in the 1932 games. But did you know she actually qualified in five different events? However, due to the rules of the time, being a female she was only allowed to compete in three. And compete she did, taking home two gold medals (hurdles and javelin) and a silver (high-jump). Additionally, she set world records during the Olympics and qualifying tournaments in the 80m hurdles, javelin, high jump and baseball throw (which was an Olympic sport until 1957).

Babe was also a competitive player to a lesser degree in billiards, baseball, softball and bowling. She even won a sewing competition at the Texas State Fair! When not on a competitive playing field, she somehow also found the time to sing and play the harmonica. She did this well enough to record for Mercury Records. Is there anything this woman couldn't do?

So let's look at the tally. She's one of the greatest golfers of all-time. She was an Olympian who took home three medals and set five world records. A three time All-American basketball player. She also competed in baseball, softball, billiards and bowling among other sports. For what reason would she not seriously be considered as the greatest athlete of all-time?

Now, being ranked 10th on the list of greatest athletes of the 20th century does confirm she was at least considered to be listed at number one. But I have to admit, I have a hard time taking the SportsCentury list seriously considering three of the 100 athletes are not even human (they're horses). I have an even harder time with this list when I see one of the horses (and a jockey for that matter) is ranked 37 places higher than Bo Jackson, an all-star baseball player AND pro-bowl NFL player! Jackson, I might add, could also have been a track & field star, but gave it up to focus on baseball and football. But a guy who rides a horse while beating it with a whip is somehow a better athlete? You get my point.

#1 on the list is Michael Jordan who is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time. But does that make him the greatest athlete of the 20th century? Is being the best at one sport a greater feat than excelling at almost every sport you take on? Hard to say.

Considering all of the accomplishments and accolades acquired by Zaharias, I wonder the reason why she wouldn't be ranked higher on the list. I can only come up with one idea. Maybe you can help me out. If all of these achievements were accomplished by a male, would he be ranked higher?

Read more »

First Golf Round of the New Season...And a Quick Mention of Tiger

OK, so before I get started I guess I have to quickly get into the "Tiger spoke, so I'm obligated to make mention of it" frame of mind. It's his first actual interview since the show he put on for his statement, and it started out with some promise.

I'm told by the ESPN anchor that this is a "no-holds barred, no question off-limits interview." Great! That's kind of what everyone wanted in the first place right? Of course, two of the first three questions were not answered as they were "private matters" for Tiger. There were three questions in total answered this way. I understand they are private matters, and should remain so, but don't tell me it's a "no question off-limits" interview if it's actually not. Well, I guess the questions can be asked...but you're not necessarily going to get an answer.

But my favorite part of this latest Tiger episode was this exchange:

Tom Rinaldi: Why not seek treatment before all of this came out?
Tiger: I didn't know I was that bad.
Rinaldi: How did you learn you were that bad?
Tiger: Stripping away denial, stripping away rationalization.

What?! You didn't know you were that bad? Has anyone else been following this story? Has anyone else seen the text messages that were released? He knew EXACTLY what he was doing. The guy acted like he was on a top-secret, James Bond-like, covert mission for cryin' out loud! And as for the second question..."stripping away denial, stripping away rationalization" - Hey buddy...you got caught!! Stop making excuses! Just come out and say it - "I didn't learn...I got caught!!!"

This is not what I wanted to talk about today, but for heaven's sake, when the most honest man among athletes is Jose Canseco...we have a real problem.

I digress.

What I really wanted to talk about was my first time out on the course this year. See, here in Connecticut, we've had about a week's worth of unseasonably warm temperatures and beautiful days. Mid-to-upper 60's (even cracking 70 a couple of times), sunny, light breeze...perfect golf weather! Hey, the weather is great, it's the first day of spring...why not make it the first day of golf also? I can't remember the last time I played golf in March. Actually, I may have never played this early! So I called up Stinky Golfer Greg to see if he has time to squeeze in nine holes. Lucky for me, he does.

We're both fired up to get back out there, break-out the sticks, and show this course what we've got! But once out there, we're quickly reminded what the long winter lay-off has done to our games. I'm not a great golfer by any means to begin with, and I went to the range only once during the off-season. Greg didn't go at all. We're both out of "golf shape," and it's showing. Nevertheless, we push on.

By roughly the fourth or fifth hole, we come to realize we are not only out of golf shape, but we haven't yet shed ourselves of the extra "winter weight" yet. We begin a bit of huffin' and puffin'. Note to self: For future first-rounds-of-the-season...take a cart.

When all nine holes were said and done...we both played like it was our first time out...ever! But the best part is, neither of us cared. We were out on the course, early in the new season no less, and that was all that really mattered. We didn't really care all that much what the scorecard told us. It didn't much matter that, next to Greg's name, it appeared as if I was writing in binary code a few times. It also didn't matter that my final tally may have appeared a bit closer to an area code than a golf score. No...what really mattered was being out there in the first place. Nice weather, hanging with a friend, conversation, laughs, clubs in hands, hacking our way through a track. This is what it's all about.

So here's to the promise of a new season...and the disappointment it will ultimately render in October.

Swing 'til your happy, friends!

Read more »