Sunday, January 21, 2007
Golfing Nomads
Sedgefield Country Club's golf course is undergoing an extensive renovation through late summer 2007. That leaves me with no home course for my gang's weekly game.
The bad news is we lose our routine of playing on Sunday afternoons followed by a beer. The good news is that we have playing privileges at many of the better courses in the Triad, so we get to play courses we otherwise would miss.
Last weekend we went to Deep Springs in Madison. I had not played there since a high school match in April 1983. The design was good, and the course was in good condition for winter. After taking two months off without touching a club, I was pleased to shoot 80.
Yesterday we played at Greensboro Country Club's Farm Course. I have always enjoyed this course and consider it among the best in our area from the back tees. It was damn cold with a stiff breeze when we teed off at 10am. Luckily, I was dressed for the weather and played pretty well, shooting 81.
We look forward to getting our new and improved golf course open this summer, but until then I look forward to playing other great courses in the area.
The bad news is we lose our routine of playing on Sunday afternoons followed by a beer. The good news is that we have playing privileges at many of the better courses in the Triad, so we get to play courses we otherwise would miss.
Last weekend we went to Deep Springs in Madison. I had not played there since a high school match in April 1983. The design was good, and the course was in good condition for winter. After taking two months off without touching a club, I was pleased to shoot 80.
Yesterday we played at Greensboro Country Club's Farm Course. I have always enjoyed this course and consider it among the best in our area from the back tees. It was damn cold with a stiff breeze when we teed off at 10am. Luckily, I was dressed for the weather and played pretty well, shooting 81.
We look forward to getting our new and improved golf course open this summer, but until then I look forward to playing other great courses in the area.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Please, Hillary
I wish someone who has Hillary Clinton's ear would explain to her that she cannot be President.
Women will remain unelectable for the highest office for another 10-15 years, until our oldest voters have passed on. A large group of older voters, who still have enough numbers to be significant, think the Oval Office is a man's place.
Her husband has one of the best political minds of our time, so he has to know that her Presidential run will fail. Either he ain't talking or she ain't listening.
Women will remain unelectable for the highest office for another 10-15 years, until our oldest voters have passed on. A large group of older voters, who still have enough numbers to be significant, think the Oval Office is a man's place.
Her husband has one of the best political minds of our time, so he has to know that her Presidential run will fail. Either he ain't talking or she ain't listening.
Hi...I'm Art Buchwald
"Hi. I'm Art Buchwald, and I just died."
This might be the greatest opening line in the history of obituaries.
Some thought being a satirist in Washington was like shooting fish in a barrel, but I still think Buchwald was underrated as a funny man
This might be the greatest opening line in the history of obituaries.
Some thought being a satirist in Washington was like shooting fish in a barrel, but I still think Buchwald was underrated as a funny man
Monday, January 15, 2007
Little Miss Sunshine
Kristen and I watched Little Miss Sunshine on DVD Saturday night. It is a quirky look at an offbeat family on a road trip. To its credit, the film sidesteps the typical Hollywood whitewash and remains brutally honest in examining the small and large setbacks we all face in our lives.
Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette are as good as ever, but Alan Arkin steals the show as the coke-sniffing grandpa. You can tell he relishes such a good role in the twilight of his career.
If you want something a little different but still rewarding, give Little Miss Sunshine a spin.
Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette are as good as ever, but Alan Arkin steals the show as the coke-sniffing grandpa. You can tell he relishes such a good role in the twilight of his career.
If you want something a little different but still rewarding, give Little Miss Sunshine a spin.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Rivers Rising
The most anticipated NFL playoff game of this weekend is about to kickoff with the New England Patriots facing the San Diego Chargers. Chief among the subplots for this game is the battle between the quarterbacks: veteran Tom Brady against newbie Phillip Rivers.
Brady is the model NFL QB of the last decade, leading the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles by the age of 27. He is steady, smart, strong and the Patriots are 11-1 in the playoffs with Brady taking the snaps. Rivers is essentially a rookie, having sat on the bench his first two years, and today will be his first playoff action. Conventional wisdom says Rivers will not be up to the challenge of facing playoff pressure and a defense prepped by post-season guru Bill Belichick.
I expect the Patriots' defensive scheme to slow down NFL MVP LaDanian Tomlinson, which will shift more of the offensive burden to Rivers. Watch for Rivers to handle the pressure, both external and internal, and make enough plays to lead his team to victory.
Brady is the model NFL QB of the last decade, leading the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles by the age of 27. He is steady, smart, strong and the Patriots are 11-1 in the playoffs with Brady taking the snaps. Rivers is essentially a rookie, having sat on the bench his first two years, and today will be his first playoff action. Conventional wisdom says Rivers will not be up to the challenge of facing playoff pressure and a defense prepped by post-season guru Bill Belichick.
I expect the Patriots' defensive scheme to slow down NFL MVP LaDanian Tomlinson, which will shift more of the offensive burden to Rivers. Watch for Rivers to handle the pressure, both external and internal, and make enough plays to lead his team to victory.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Sportsman of the Year
I have been a subscriber to Sports Illustrated for over 30 years, and I have never been more disappointed in their selection of the 2006 Sportsman of the Year.
Some years, SI picks athletes who have had career defining years. Other years, SI celebrated career achievements. Every so often, SI has acknowledged athletes whose actions away from competition had a dramatic impact on the world.
This year, SI named Dwayne Wade. By all accounts, Wade is a good guy, and he is one of the best players in the NBA, but he is undeserving using any of the traditional criteria.
Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and LaDainian Tomlinson all had better years in their sports than Wade. But I really thought Joey Cheek would be SI's honoree this year. Cheek's donation of his $40,000 bonus for two medals were the defining moment of the Winter Olympics.
It bugs me that SI honored Wade. So many athletes were more deserving, and the NBA barely qualifies as a sport anyway.
Some years, SI picks athletes who have had career defining years. Other years, SI celebrated career achievements. Every so often, SI has acknowledged athletes whose actions away from competition had a dramatic impact on the world.
This year, SI named Dwayne Wade. By all accounts, Wade is a good guy, and he is one of the best players in the NBA, but he is undeserving using any of the traditional criteria.
Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and LaDainian Tomlinson all had better years in their sports than Wade. But I really thought Joey Cheek would be SI's honoree this year. Cheek's donation of his $40,000 bonus for two medals were the defining moment of the Winter Olympics.
It bugs me that SI honored Wade. So many athletes were more deserving, and the NBA barely qualifies as a sport anyway.
