Thursday, February 28, 2019
The Chubb Classic in Naples
Last Friday,
Stephen Ames began a round of golf on the tenth tee. He started well,
then slipped a tee under his ball on the par three 12th.
He watched the ball disappear into the hole from the tee. He wrote
the digit on his scorecard, walked the fairway, and went on to have
one of the finest rounds of golf in his life.
He was at
the top of the leader board at the end of the day, sharing the lead
at 8 under par with Sandy Lyle. But he knew there was work to be done
the next couple of days. “You've got to keep your foot down on the
pedal here because the golf course is so easy and soft. They're going
to be going at every flag basically out here. I drove the ball
really nicely. I wouldn't say I hit my irons extremely close, and I
putted what I thought was half decent for my round. I mean, the
course is there for the taking. The pins are somewhat accessible.”
The course,
located in Naples, on the South West coast of Florida, is the site of
one previous PGA Champions Tour event. In 1988, Gary Player won the
title at the Club at Pelican Bay. He then designed the course that is
being used this week. The tournament was played at this location, The
Classics at Lely Resort, in 1996. For the past seven years, it was
held at Twin Eagles.
In order to
qualify for the Champions Tour, golfers must have reached their 50th
birthday. Next year, a host of golf talent fits that bill: Ernie
Ells, Jim Furyk, Tim Herron, K. J. Choi, Phil Mickelson, and Canadian
Mike Weir. Weir has struggled the past few years on the PGA Tour, and
is currently playing in Mexico. For all of these players, the
competitive juices continue to flow, no matter how many birthdays
have passed on the calendar. Hale Irwin, 73, fired a one under par 70
on Friday. He was won the Chubb Classic two times. He shot his age
five times last year on the Tour.
The
irrepressible John Daly, always a tournament favourite, struggled in
his first round. He birdied the first hole, he then had two bogeys
and a triple bogey. He then withdrew, without comment.
Ames is the
lone Canadian in the field. We have followed the exploits of Rod
Spittle for the past seven years; however, Spittle has retired from
the Tour, and is staying closer to home. He will be inducted into the
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame this summer, a wonderful tribute to a
great guy. The ceremony will take place in Hamilton, at the course
where his dad once worked as a caddy. Herb Page, a longtime golf
instructor at Kent State University, is also being inducted. Spittle
won an amateur championship on the course in 1977.
Stephen Ames
was born in the island community of Trinidad and Tobago, and learned
the game on the courses there. He attended school in the United
States, at Boca Raton, and became a Canadian citizen in 2003. He has
been instrumental in assisting with Junior golf programs in Ontario.
Stephen Ames' second shot at 18.
Alas, the
final round was not kind to Ames. He eagled on the front nine to take
a two stroke lead. But a couple of bogeys, and a double bogey sealed
his fate as he left the 18th green. The remarkable Miguel
Angel Jimenez, from Spain, played well enough to tie for the lead,
and force an extra hole.
He made no
mistake in overtime, birdieing the extra hole to win all the marbles.
Well, not all of them. Ames picked up $ 50 000 for his effort. Great
weather, great golf, plenty of suspense. Good times in South West
Florida.
James Hurst
February 18,
2018.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
A Hole Too Deep?
The Florida
Panthers have seen the script before. It fact, it was last season.
They had a horrible start to the season, recovered nicely, and then
went on a tear to finish one point out of the playoffs. One little
point! Think of all those times, during the season when you were that
close to winning: hitting goal
posts, taking foolish penalties with little time left in a game,
missing assignments, poor line changes......
The
list is a long one. But it only takes one of those situations to
spell disaster, and feel the abrupt halt to a season.
Last
season, the Panthers went 24-8-2 in its last 34 games, only to find
themselves out of the playoffs. They received 50 points in that
stretch. But the hole they had dug prior to that stretch was just too
deep. After 48 games this season, they were 20-20-8, in other words
at 50%. As of today, they have won 23 games, but they have lost 23
games, and are just at the .500 mark to make the playoffs, even as a
wild card team. They have less than 30 games to play. Crunch time.
They
beat the Penguins a week ago, but then lost to Tampa Bay on Sunday
night. It is never a good idea to get involved in a shootout with the
Lightning. Kucherov, Stamkos, Brayden Point and company never seem to
let up, and always have plenty left in the tank at the end of the
third period. With hot goaltending supplied recently by Louis
Domingue, they will be tough in the playoffs. They have had the
Panthers' number in the four times they have face d each other this
year.
The
Panthers are certainly pleased with the pickup of Hoffman from the
Senators this year. His offensive numbers are out standing, leading
the team. But that is only part of the game, as he also has one of
the worst plus/minus on the team. Roberto Luongo, now a sure “lock”
for the Hall of Fame, has been outstanding on many occasions. In
relief, James Reimer has done the job. But both have lost exactly the
same number of games as they have won, and that just won't cut it.
The question remains whether or not the team can make the surge to
overcome several teams to get to the post season. The Sabres, the
Hurricanes, the Rangers, the Penguins and the Flyers are in the same
boat.
Miguel Angel Jimenezx
Later
on this week, I will be concentrating on golf. The PGA Champions Tour
heads to Naples, Florida, for the annual Chubb Classic Tournament.
Last weekend, Bernhard Langer picked up $ 255 000 when he won in Boca
Raton. He moved ahead of Hale Irwin for tour career cash with more
than $ 27 000 000 to his credit. Langer always plays well in South
West Florida, winning several times at Twin Eagles. This year's
tournament takes place at the Classics Country Club, at the Lely
Resort. Other notables expected to play include: Marco Dawson, Fred
Couples, Colin Montgomerie, David Toms, and John Daly. Gary Nicklaus,
the son of Jack Nicklaus, finished in 51st
position. Jack's son? Am I really that old?
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles' Schadrac Casimir
College
basketball fans are following the exploits of Canadian freshman RJ
Barrett, who plays for Duke. Duke is currently ranked in the number
two position in college hoops, and should do well when March Madness
prevails. Barrett's father represented Canada several times in
international competition. The other big gun for Duke is Zion
Williamson, highly touted to be the first overall draft pick whenever
he decides to turn pro.
Only
two weeks until Spring Training! Gotta love the sports world!!
James
Hurst
February
11, 2019.
Friday, February 15, 2019
Jumpin' Johnny Wilson
Occasionally, I am
lucky enough to have a wonderful story placed right in front of me to
share with you. Such is the case this week.
A good friend of ours,
here at Majestic Palms, comes from a town in Indiana. His name is
Mike Richey, and the town is Anderson. He spent his high school years
there, and got to meet two of the town's fine citizens: Carl Erskine
and “Jumping” Johnny Wilson. I wrote previously about Erskine, a
member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Richey is a Vietnam
veteran, and he shared with me the honours he received while in the
forces: The Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star,
an Army Commendation, A good conduct Badge, Vietnam Campaign Ribbons,
The Cross of Gallantry, and the National Defence Medal. I had to prod
that information out of him because he is a remarkably modest person.
Erskine, Wilson, and a
third pal, Jack Rector, often went to the movies in Anderson. They
sat in the balcony. This was in the 1940s, a time when African
Americans had to sit in the balcony in the theatres. But they were
pals, and they stuck together.
In 1946, Wilson
captained his high school basketball team to the state championship,
scoring 30 of the team's 65 points. He was named Indiana's “Mr.
Basketball”, and earned the nickname because he was the only player
on the team who could dunk the ball. He wanted to attend Indiana
University, but was denied because of the “Big Ten's” unspoken
policy of not recruiting African Americans. He attended Anderson
University, and was named as an All-American twice.
He went on to play with
the Chicago American Giants in the “Negro League”, and played for
the Harlem Globetrotters from 1949 to 1954. One of his tricks was to
drop kick the basketball from centre court to the basket. He was
successful 70 times out of 300 tries. He received a bonus of $ 100
for every successful kick! Not too shabby, in those days!
He eventually completed
his degree in education at Anderson. He coached for 8 years at Wood
High School in Indianapolis, followed by 16 years as head coach and
athletic director at Malcolm X College. He coached in Anderson as
well, and, he recruited students from Anderson who would not have
gone to college without his assistance. At the time of his death, two
weeks ago, he was the assistant basketball coach at Lock Haven
University. He was 91 years old.
“Jumpin'” Johnny
Wilson is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and the
Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also named as one
of Indiana's 50 best basketball players. And yes, a chap named Larry
Bird, from French Lick, Indiana, would also be on that list.
Thanks, Mike.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
We Wuz Robbed!!
I cannot
remember the first time that expression was used to describe an
unfavourable decision made by an umpire, a referee, or any other
adjudicating official.
It certainly
applies to the way that New Orleans Saints felt after their team lost
the Conference Championship against the Los Angeles Rams. As you will
recall, there was a blatant case of pass interference in the end zone
on a Saints' receiver. No call was made. The call could have been
made by at least two officials: the side judge, Gary Cavaletto, or
the back judge, Todd Prukop. No flags flew on that play.
A columnist
for USA Today, Mike Jones, reported after the game that Saints' coach
Sean Payton received an apology from the league. One can just imagine
how that would have been received. That play most certainly
determined the outcome of the game. The Rams are playing in the
SuperBowl this weekend. The Saints will be watching from the
sidelines.
Jones
suggested that a replay would have helped in that situation. League
rules currently do not allow replays on pass interference calls.
League officials have not allowed such a ruling because it might
lengthen the game too much. I am sure they will rethink this during
the off-season. The Canadian Football League does allow replays on
pass interference calls. Without question, the injustice that took
place against New Orleans would have been corrected in the CFL.
I know that
many of you have officiated at some time in your lives. There are
many situations where an interpretation must be made; however, with
the advent of spectacular television coverage, most incorrect calls
can be rectified.
Consider the
situations at first base in baseball. Was the batter safe or out? Was
the fielder's foot on the bag? Was the ball in his glove? Did he have
control of the ball? Did the runner touch the base before the ball
touched the fielder's glove? Before we had replays, the unwritten
rule was that “a tie went in favour of the runner”! Such is not
the case nowadays, as that fine line rarely exists. Most of the time,
the umpires are correct.
There is
nothing that drives us fans more crazy than incorrect calls on balls
and strikes. Television has designed “Strike Zones” to help the
viewer decide on calls. And then an umpire makes a blatant error when
he calls a pitch a ball, after it was thrown down the middle of the
plate. There is no restitution in that case. No replays on balls and
strikes. Pitchers complain, catchers howl, managers rush from the
dugout to protest. To no avail.
The National
Hockey League was wise to implement a two referee system for its
games. It is by no means perfect. It does cut down on the nasty
business “behind the play”. Too often, referees only caught
retaliatory measures taken by players. And the like of Bobby Clarke,
Ken Linseman and other pests skated away, smiling. The league no
longer has to rely on goal judges. All of that is now handled by
replay.
I did
referee basketball games years ago. Not today, thanks. Despite all of
their best efforts to clarify rules of players driving to the
basket, about half the time the calls are correct. Was in charging?
Was the defender stationary? Was the ball touched, and not the hand?
Was there body contact? Truly difficult decisions, even hard to
determine with the replays.
There is no
choice. The game is in the hands of the officials. And yes, the
replay officials as well.
James Hurst
January,
2019.
Blue and White in Florida
The Florida Panthers
limped into the past weekend. They had lost seven consecutive games,
with little hope for improvement. To make matters worse, they faced
the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night, then had to travel to
Nashville for a game on Saturday night.
Not only did they win
both of those games, they also welcomed back Vincent Trocheck from
the injured list. He had been out several weeks with a broken ankle.
The Panthers have a wonderful group of very talented athletes. Such a
group always needs a straw to stir the drink, especially young
athletes. Trocheck leads this group on and off the ice.
The Leafs were
impressive on Thursday night as they bested the Tampa Bay Lightning
4-2, with an empty net goal. As is usually the case, the last few
minutes were frantic for the Leafs, as Stamkos and Kucherov fired
bullets at Freddie Andersen. Mitch Marner, with his 19th
goal of the season, had given the Leafs the lead with less than five
minutes remaining.
On Friday night, the
Leafs broke out quickly and Hainsey scored less than two minutes
into the first period. The Panthers replied on goals from Hoffman,
his 23rd, and Matheson. That lead carried into the third
period. Trocheck picked up an assist on Matheson's goal.
We surmised that the
Leafs would come out flying against the Panthers in the second and
third periods. You can just imagine what coach Mike Babcock might
have shared with them during the intermissions. Apparently, on deaf
ears.
We shared a spot at the
game with my good friend Bob Page. An avowed Michigan supporter, Page
spent years chatting with athletes, as a television commentator, in
Detroit, and in New York City, primarily at Madison Square Garden.
When a photo of Ric “Nature Boy” Flair was shown on the big
screen as he watched the game, Page confessed to me that he did not
recognize the wrestler. That shocked me slightly, as the recognition
was instantaneous with me. I had seen Flair in action countless
times, parading around the ring, howling to the heavens. ( I was
forced to watch it because my boys outvoted me on programming
choices.)
After the game, gimping
along to the exit, I heard a voice behind me. “Let me go in front
of you. I will clear a path so you can get through.” I turned to
find Mr. Flair and his family. He was most gracious, and agreed to be
photographed by fans in the area. He took a moment to say hello to
Joe Bowen, the Leafs radio announcer.
On Sunday night, the
Leafs faced the Coyotes in Toronto. There are two local boys on the
Coyotes roster, Nick Cousins and Brad Richardson. Richardson is
currently sidelined, but has had a fine season up to this point. He
is second in the league for short-handed goals. Cousins began his NHL
career with the Philadelphia Flyers. His dad Brian played his junior
hockey with the Bobcats in Belleville. His grandfather, Earl, was
also an outstanding athlete in the city. The Coyotes left town with a
4-2 victory. The Leafs face the Washington Capitals before the All
Star break.
The New England
Patriots will play the Los Angeles Rams in the LIII SuperBowl. A
series of very questionable calls aided their overtime victories on
Sunday. Canadian Adam Hadwin had to settle for second place in the
PGA event last weekend. He faltered slightly down the stretch, but
did pick up more than half a million American bucks for his efforts.
Another fine week in
the world of sport.
James Hurst
January 21, 2019.
