NFL Season is Fast Approaching!

Those who know me well know I'm a big NFL football fan. In fact, I've run a friendly pool with friends for over a decade.

As football season fast approaches, my excitement has been hightened by the pre-season matches that have been appearing on television more and more frequently. This is surprising given that NFL pre-season matches consist of the "stars" playing half the first quarter, then the backups come in, then those on the bubble to make the team hit the field, and by the fourth quarter you'd swear they've got people out there that they picked up out from a local recreational team.

I'll have much more to say about the gridiron as the season approaches in September. Stay tuned football fans!

Tiger is Awsome - Better by the Dozen

Regardless of my last post, I do have to admit Tiger Woods is just awesome. His five shot victory today at the PGA Championship at Medinah Golf Club just outside of Chicago just proved it again. It's his 12th major championship, and he's getting better by the dozen.

He came in to the final round tied for the lead, and a number of players were just a shot or two behind. Looking at the results, you never would have known.

He's fun to watch, deserving all his accolades and more. When Tiger's on his game, he's a man among boys. What that makes an amateur golfer like me I don't know. Perhaps I don't really want to know!

An age old discussion, new names...

No matter what the sport, no matter what the record, sports fans have the inane ability to try and compare athletes across the ages. Was Wayne Gretzky a better hockey player than Gordie Howe? Was Joe Montana a better quarterback than Terry Bradshaw? Was Pete Rose a purer hitter than Ty Cobb?

Today, the age old question has been arising again in the golf world. Is Tiger Woods better than Jack Nicklaus? Personally, I don’t think either this, or the previous questions, are truly a fair comparrison. Each player’s career spanned a different era.

Looking at Nickalus and Woods – decades separate their respective periods of dominence. Golf clubs, golf courses, training, even golf balls have all evolved. A direct comparrison simply cannot be made.

What can be done some argue, is to look at how the player compared to their peers. In other words, who was more dominent in their era?

With Tiger’s recent win at the Buick Open, he’s won his 50th PGA tournament. These days, PGA tour professionals are lucky enough to win half that many titles in their lifetime. Tiger is only 30 years of age.

When it comes to the big tournamnets, the “Major Championships”, Woods has won 11 thus far. In his career, Nicklaus won 18.

Will Woods eclipse that mark? If I were a betting man I’d say “yes”. Let’s not forget though, Nickalus finished 2nd in Majors a whopping 19 times.

The point I’m trying to make is that a TRUE comparrison can never truly be made. Both players will have impressive statistics at the end of the day. Both will show unparalled skill and remarkable poise to get there and both will be remembered as the domninent players of their day.

So instead of trying to compare them across the ages, let’s just look at what they have done yesterday, and are doing today. Their talent, and the history of the sport, demands no less.

A Tribute to Dads’ Everywhere

On Sunday, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods captured has second straight British Open Championship in commanding fashion. In the final round, he made the impossible look possible on a course where many other professionals from around the world were looking like armatures. But that wasn’t the story of the day…

Tiger Woods lost his father a few months ago. A man who had brought him in to this world, introduced him to his passion of golf, and taught him a love for life. Tiger, like many young children, was close to his father. As the years wore on, some would believe their bond would weaken – but it strengthened. Through it all, there was “Dad”.

His father took great pride in the skills of his son. Traveling with him whenever possible to offer moral support on the bad days and being a larger than life spirit to embrace in victory. “Dad” was always there. In fact, the father became a trademark of the son. When Tiger won a tournament, more often than not his father would be there at the 18th green watching on. When Tiger won, he’d go over to his Dad and give him a big old bear hug. On Sunday, his father wasn’t there.

As Tiger stood on the 18th green of Royal Liverpool, I told my wife Beverly that he’d break down remembering his father once he sunk his winning putt. For all the media hype and marketing bluster, Tiger Woods was only human. True to form, he broke down in tears while hugging his caddy after his victory.

After accepting the Claret Jug, Woods spoke eloquently about his father. He missed “Dad” and wished he could have been there to watch him win once more.

This is a picture of me and my father. My Dad has taught me a lot about life. He taught me the spirit of giving by tirelessly coaching my sports teams, he taught me patience by teaching me to golf (and I’m not that bad at it now…), and he’s taught me about love and dedication through his devotion to our family. He’s truly helped me through the happy times and the tough times. In some small way, I’d like to believe I helped him through much of the same.

So Tiger, thanks for the reminder of how lucky I am. Your win was truly a tribute to all Dads. This is, in part, a tribute to mine.

The British Open

Thursday saw round one of the British Open kick off at Royal Liverpool in Great Britain. The "Open Championship", as it is known in Europe, is full of history and folklore.

The British Open that stands out in my mind isn't one of conquest, or even brilliant shot making for that matter. The tournament that I remember vividly is the 1999 British Open when a Frenchman by the name of Jean Van de Velde stood in the final round on the 18th tee with a three stroke advantage.

Needing to make only a 6 on the par-4 18th hole at Carnoustie Golf Links, Van de Velde fell apart completely. Knocking one shot off the bleachers, dumping another into the water, placing yet one more into a bunker before finally making a triple-bogey 7. At one point after plunking it in the water, Van de Velde actually thought about hitting out of Barry Burn stream. To show you how "in the bag" this was for Van de Velde, Tournament organizers were already engraving his name on the Claret Jug (the Stanley Cup of European Golf) when he approached the 18th tee.

I remember watching, with my jaw dropped, as it went from bad to worse for poor Van de Velde. Soon thereafter, he lost the Championship in a playoff. It just goes to show, in golf anything can happen.

So given my World Cup prediction prowess (ha!), I thought I'd take a stab at the winner of the British Open. I'm picking Ernie Els, if only because he usually plays well in the Open, and he's due!