Are you kidding me? Five strokes back to start the day, but none of that seemed to matter when the birdie at 2 fell. I think Tiger should be submitted for testing, but not for drugs. I'm convinced that if you went to take a sample of blood you may get some sort of oil or gasoline or something, because this guy is a machine.
I am as big of sports geek as there is, but even I have to admit that golf isn't the most exciting of sports to watch on TV, that is unless Tiger is on and then, nothing beats it. Every shot becomes riveting. Every putt a nail biter. And every fist pump, electrifying.
As golf was on Global yesterday, there was a chance of it disrupting the Evening News. We watched very closely for the afternoon, wondering not only if our show would be affect, but whether or not Tiger would do the impossible that he has made casually possible so many times before.
As he took the lead with just a few holes to play we hurried around the station, everyone getting set to go on-air, because at that point the end seemed inevitable. But then the tee shot on 17 and bunker...Bogey. Tied coming home. Could he birdie the last just like last year?
As the famed golfer Roy McAvoy says, "Fairways and greens." Or maybe it was his caddie. Anyways, Tiger found fairway. And then carved in an approach to 15 feet under the hole. As the 6 o'clock hour neared, Tiger did what he always does. Light up the sky with flash bulbs. Game, set, match. Look out Augusta!
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Oh yeah, welcome to Elle Louise Meyers. Look out LPGA 2028!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What The?
The World Baseball Classic is over? To be fair, I didn't really have a clue. I thought that the Americans were out a week ago! Then I see Dice-K making gyros out of them.
Seriously, does anybody care about this event? What I did see was a lot of empty seats at the games I did flip by. Maybe it just so happened that everybody at the park went for a beer & a pee when I tuned in! Although, I must admit, the final looked packed!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is there a big let down after winning the Brier or the Scotties? There is no doubt that our curlers are the best in the world, but the strain both mentally and physically put on our teams to win the national championship seems to wear them down. And really, do you think Jennifer Jones gets up for a game against Denmark as much as she does to take on Cheryl Bernard?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As everybody knows I hate the NHL's point awarding system, but if there is a positive to take out of it, the playoff races are exciting. Problem is, you need a scientific calculator to figure out teams magic numbers. You can't live and die by teams win and losses because ties make such a big difference. 9 games to go and I have no idea other than if my beloved Oil win out they are in. Any other combo of results is infinite.
Seriously, does anybody care about this event? What I did see was a lot of empty seats at the games I did flip by. Maybe it just so happened that everybody at the park went for a beer & a pee when I tuned in! Although, I must admit, the final looked packed!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is there a big let down after winning the Brier or the Scotties? There is no doubt that our curlers are the best in the world, but the strain both mentally and physically put on our teams to win the national championship seems to wear them down. And really, do you think Jennifer Jones gets up for a game against Denmark as much as she does to take on Cheryl Bernard?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As everybody knows I hate the NHL's point awarding system, but if there is a positive to take out of it, the playoff races are exciting. Problem is, you need a scientific calculator to figure out teams magic numbers. You can't live and die by teams win and losses because ties make such a big difference. 9 games to go and I have no idea other than if my beloved Oil win out they are in. Any other combo of results is infinite.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Odds & Ends
Is the bluelight going to stop flashing? K-Mart and crew win another Canada Cup. I had the chance to meet up with Kevin Martin in Yorkton. He looked and sounded exhausted after curling terribly but still beating Brad Gushue. If there isn't talk about this team being the best ever in curling, the whispering should start.
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Of the combined 8 teams in Hoopla 5A boys & girls sem-final action, only one wasn't from Regina. I dare say that Queen City Hoops is in good shape. No wonder why the U of R Cougar women have been in back-to-back National Finals game.
---------------------------------------------------------
Jordan Eberle signs with the Oilers, not a shock. Don't fret folks, the Pats superstar will be back in blue and white next year and lead Canada to a 6th straight gold at the World Jr's.
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Now what? The Pats and Warriors are done and its still awhile until Rider camp opens. The University seasons have wrapped up and the high schools have handed out the trophies. So what will Regina sports fans wrap themselves around? I'm wondering too...Drop me a not in the comment section if you have any ideas.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shout outs...Stefanie Lawton, Sherry Middaugh, Brad Gushe...all gracious in defeat. Dave Arnold, for making NewsTalk fun to listen to and Sugar Ray Leonard for just being awesome!
--------------------------------------------
Of the combined 8 teams in Hoopla 5A boys & girls sem-final action, only one wasn't from Regina. I dare say that Queen City Hoops is in good shape. No wonder why the U of R Cougar women have been in back-to-back National Finals game.
---------------------------------------------------------
Jordan Eberle signs with the Oilers, not a shock. Don't fret folks, the Pats superstar will be back in blue and white next year and lead Canada to a 6th straight gold at the World Jr's.
----------------------------------------------------------
Now what? The Pats and Warriors are done and its still awhile until Rider camp opens. The University seasons have wrapped up and the high schools have handed out the trophies. So what will Regina sports fans wrap themselves around? I'm wondering too...Drop me a not in the comment section if you have any ideas.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shout outs...Stefanie Lawton, Sherry Middaugh, Brad Gushe...all gracious in defeat. Dave Arnold, for making NewsTalk fun to listen to and Sugar Ray Leonard for just being awesome!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lords of the Rings Not At Home
A great event is happening in our province, but none of the locals have turned up to host. The Canada Cup of Curling is being played in Yorkton this week without any Men's teams from Saskatchewan.
The lineup includes names like Martin, Gushue, Stoughton, Ferby and Middaugh. A veritable who's who in the men's game. And yet no team from the 306 was able to qualify. Concerning yes, but surprising no.
"This is a tough event to qualify for," says 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue. Sure it is, just look at the caliber. But it speaks to a deeper issue of the state of the game here in Saskatchewan.
1980. You know it, you hate it. The Brier drought in this curling hotbed has reached three decades and counting. Curling has been at three Olympic games, yet no team from the Green province has represented the Red & White.
It's not that there aren't good curlers in Saskatchewan, it just seems that there aren't very many of them at the top level. Once you look past Pat Simmons & Joel Jordison, there isn't many names that spring to mind that may have a chance to take on the heavyweights in the sport.
It'd be easy to say that we just simply don't have the population here. But that argument doesn't slide. Manitoba is barely bigger and Newfoundland isn't even close when it comes to the number of people. They have 6 Briers and an Olympic Gold in the time which Sask hasn't won anything.
Maybe its the lack of good Juniors? Again, wrong. Saskatchewan's boys have won the national title twice in the last seven years. So the development program seems to be in place to get the kids on the right road to success. But that's where the dead end happens.
These successes have not translated to the men's game. All across curling clubs in the Land of Living Skies the game is dying with the 20 to 40 aged men. It's something the SCA (Saskatchewan Curling Association) says it is seeing, but it has no idea why.
Could it be the wrong approach to the game is being taken here? Look at the top teams at the Brier. Glenn Howard, Jeff Stoughton & Kevin Martin are all seasoned pros. While the game of curling is becoming increasingly athletic, it seems the strategy and mental side is also getting tougher.
John Morris, Martin's third, is a great example. Here's a guy that skipped Ontario to a Brier final as a virtual kid. But when it came time to being a part of a 'Super Team' with the goal of winning everything all the time, Morris checked his ego and has slid under the tutelage of one of the best in the world. Result: 2 Briers, loads of cash and their eye on the Gold.
This game of Rock N' Roll is becoming more and more a game of athletes playing chess with the precision of a surgeon. And while the good are getting better, they are also getting fewer. Only very few teams stand at the top of the hill and unfortunately, right now Saskatchewan's best are looking up.
Now, given all this, it bodes well that the 30 years of futility in this province is nearing the end. Pat Simmons seems determined to win it all. He has the commitment and the skill. He was even close two years ago when a picked rock cost him a shot at the final.
So its not all doom and gloom and in fact, the light might be closer than one thinks. Simmons has already qualified fr the Pre-Olympic Trials in the fall and can't wait to have a chance at representing Canada.
It won't be easy for Saskatchewan's men to conquer the curling world, but the provinces Lords of the Rings do seem to be getting closer to the top and hopefully will start making regular appearances at places like the Canada Cup.
The lineup includes names like Martin, Gushue, Stoughton, Ferby and Middaugh. A veritable who's who in the men's game. And yet no team from the 306 was able to qualify. Concerning yes, but surprising no.
"This is a tough event to qualify for," says 2006 Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue. Sure it is, just look at the caliber. But it speaks to a deeper issue of the state of the game here in Saskatchewan.
1980. You know it, you hate it. The Brier drought in this curling hotbed has reached three decades and counting. Curling has been at three Olympic games, yet no team from the Green province has represented the Red & White.
It's not that there aren't good curlers in Saskatchewan, it just seems that there aren't very many of them at the top level. Once you look past Pat Simmons & Joel Jordison, there isn't many names that spring to mind that may have a chance to take on the heavyweights in the sport.
It'd be easy to say that we just simply don't have the population here. But that argument doesn't slide. Manitoba is barely bigger and Newfoundland isn't even close when it comes to the number of people. They have 6 Briers and an Olympic Gold in the time which Sask hasn't won anything.
Maybe its the lack of good Juniors? Again, wrong. Saskatchewan's boys have won the national title twice in the last seven years. So the development program seems to be in place to get the kids on the right road to success. But that's where the dead end happens.
These successes have not translated to the men's game. All across curling clubs in the Land of Living Skies the game is dying with the 20 to 40 aged men. It's something the SCA (Saskatchewan Curling Association) says it is seeing, but it has no idea why.
Could it be the wrong approach to the game is being taken here? Look at the top teams at the Brier. Glenn Howard, Jeff Stoughton & Kevin Martin are all seasoned pros. While the game of curling is becoming increasingly athletic, it seems the strategy and mental side is also getting tougher.
John Morris, Martin's third, is a great example. Here's a guy that skipped Ontario to a Brier final as a virtual kid. But when it came time to being a part of a 'Super Team' with the goal of winning everything all the time, Morris checked his ego and has slid under the tutelage of one of the best in the world. Result: 2 Briers, loads of cash and their eye on the Gold.
This game of Rock N' Roll is becoming more and more a game of athletes playing chess with the precision of a surgeon. And while the good are getting better, they are also getting fewer. Only very few teams stand at the top of the hill and unfortunately, right now Saskatchewan's best are looking up.
Now, given all this, it bodes well that the 30 years of futility in this province is nearing the end. Pat Simmons seems determined to win it all. He has the commitment and the skill. He was even close two years ago when a picked rock cost him a shot at the final.
So its not all doom and gloom and in fact, the light might be closer than one thinks. Simmons has already qualified fr the Pre-Olympic Trials in the fall and can't wait to have a chance at representing Canada.
It won't be easy for Saskatchewan's men to conquer the curling world, but the provinces Lords of the Rings do seem to be getting closer to the top and hopefully will start making regular appearances at places like the Canada Cup.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pats Eulogy
Where to begin? I suppose at the bottom or near it, kinda where the team finished. The blame with this club needs to be like a good jam sandwich, spread to every corner and thick.
Let's start with the players. This group was far to carefree. Now I don't mean to say they didn't care. But caring comes at a cost, its not free, and in hockey you have to pay a price to reap the rewards. The Blue & White of 08/09 were far to frugal. Too often the team was second best in corner battles, picked up silver medals in races to the puck and seemed to get beaten in every showdown situation (see 4-10 shootout record).
The motto since early December has been "We're better than our record shows"...No you're not. You are exactly what your record shows, that's why they keep track of wins and losses. In 2009 the club went 8-23 with 5 of those wins coming against the WHL's worst club, the Moose Jaw Warriors. So 3-22 against teams other than the Tribe. Wow!!
But its unfair to slaughter the players without looking at their leaders. This was the only team in all of Canada to have 2-WJHC players on it. A bonafide sniper in Jordan Eberle and a hulking defenceman in Colten Teubert. Add to the mix argueably the best rookie in the WHL in Jordan Weal and last seasons Eastern Conference Goalie of the Year Linden Rowat and you have the core of a good young team. But in this league its the 19 & 20 year olds that make your hay for you.
Sure Brett Leffler and Matt Strueby had career years in goal scoring, but where was their dominating performances? At 19 they should impose their will on the other team. Didn't see that. Mitch Czibere, great guy, but I never saw him get under people's skin. Why? The Pats rarely seemed like a tough team to play. Nobody seems to worried to go into the corners to do battle with the Blue & White. And its the teams older players that should be the ones leading the charge in there.
Enough bashing the kids, because we do lose sight that these young men are just that, young. What about the adults in this situation? Dale Derkatch and Terry Perkins. Well, with any teams failures, coaching must take some heat.
It never really seemed like the coaching staff got the team to completely buy in. When a group plays with no urgency or desire, the finger points at the man on the bench. A coach needs to motivate his group and it seemed terribly obvious on too many nights that Derkatch et al were unable to light even a slow burn under the butts of their players.
Now to the offices at the Brandt. GM Brent Parker doesn't come away from this smelling like roses either, nor does his scouting staff. While the Pats certainly do boast some talent, what they are short on is identity. Kinda reminds me of the Ottawa Senators. What kind of team was this? They weren't fast, they weren't tough, they didn't play shut down D. Parker tried a couple of moves this year, but in the end they were a bit mystifying. Neal Prokop was added for presumably some size and toughness, but that never played out. Matt Robertson was suppose to be the 20 year old trigger man, but even he disappeared. And the Jesse Dudas experiment was a ticking timebomb that finally detonated.
At let us not stop here. If we are throwing eggs at the team, cast one in the direction of Owner Russ Parker. Inevitably its his team. If all these players, coaches and Management staff are failing to succeed its the owners fault for allowing it to happen.
Now, by the sounds of this column it would seem that the Pats should sell the team, fire everybody and demote most of the team to play in the PJHL. But the exact opposite is what should happen. this is a group that lost their mojo somewhere along the way. A first year coach who made plenty of mistakes but who bleeds Blue & White. The GM is one of the fiercest competitors around and the Owner is doing what a good owner needs to do, trust his people.
Every season brings new hope and I hope that Parker, Derkatch and the players are all still under the Orange Top in the fall. Not only do I believe they are good people, I firmly stand behind the fact that every single one of them want what is best for the Pats organization and given the chance at a clean slate, they'll learn from this and move on and up.
Let's start with the players. This group was far to carefree. Now I don't mean to say they didn't care. But caring comes at a cost, its not free, and in hockey you have to pay a price to reap the rewards. The Blue & White of 08/09 were far to frugal. Too often the team was second best in corner battles, picked up silver medals in races to the puck and seemed to get beaten in every showdown situation (see 4-10 shootout record).
The motto since early December has been "We're better than our record shows"...No you're not. You are exactly what your record shows, that's why they keep track of wins and losses. In 2009 the club went 8-23 with 5 of those wins coming against the WHL's worst club, the Moose Jaw Warriors. So 3-22 against teams other than the Tribe. Wow!!
But its unfair to slaughter the players without looking at their leaders. This was the only team in all of Canada to have 2-WJHC players on it. A bonafide sniper in Jordan Eberle and a hulking defenceman in Colten Teubert. Add to the mix argueably the best rookie in the WHL in Jordan Weal and last seasons Eastern Conference Goalie of the Year Linden Rowat and you have the core of a good young team. But in this league its the 19 & 20 year olds that make your hay for you.
Sure Brett Leffler and Matt Strueby had career years in goal scoring, but where was their dominating performances? At 19 they should impose their will on the other team. Didn't see that. Mitch Czibere, great guy, but I never saw him get under people's skin. Why? The Pats rarely seemed like a tough team to play. Nobody seems to worried to go into the corners to do battle with the Blue & White. And its the teams older players that should be the ones leading the charge in there.
Enough bashing the kids, because we do lose sight that these young men are just that, young. What about the adults in this situation? Dale Derkatch and Terry Perkins. Well, with any teams failures, coaching must take some heat.
It never really seemed like the coaching staff got the team to completely buy in. When a group plays with no urgency or desire, the finger points at the man on the bench. A coach needs to motivate his group and it seemed terribly obvious on too many nights that Derkatch et al were unable to light even a slow burn under the butts of their players.
Now to the offices at the Brandt. GM Brent Parker doesn't come away from this smelling like roses either, nor does his scouting staff. While the Pats certainly do boast some talent, what they are short on is identity. Kinda reminds me of the Ottawa Senators. What kind of team was this? They weren't fast, they weren't tough, they didn't play shut down D. Parker tried a couple of moves this year, but in the end they were a bit mystifying. Neal Prokop was added for presumably some size and toughness, but that never played out. Matt Robertson was suppose to be the 20 year old trigger man, but even he disappeared. And the Jesse Dudas experiment was a ticking timebomb that finally detonated.
At let us not stop here. If we are throwing eggs at the team, cast one in the direction of Owner Russ Parker. Inevitably its his team. If all these players, coaches and Management staff are failing to succeed its the owners fault for allowing it to happen.
Now, by the sounds of this column it would seem that the Pats should sell the team, fire everybody and demote most of the team to play in the PJHL. But the exact opposite is what should happen. this is a group that lost their mojo somewhere along the way. A first year coach who made plenty of mistakes but who bleeds Blue & White. The GM is one of the fiercest competitors around and the Owner is doing what a good owner needs to do, trust his people.
Every season brings new hope and I hope that Parker, Derkatch and the players are all still under the Orange Top in the fall. Not only do I believe they are good people, I firmly stand behind the fact that every single one of them want what is best for the Pats organization and given the chance at a clean slate, they'll learn from this and move on and up.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Cougars Are Regina's Champions
In the words of assistant coach Christin Dickenson, "I wanted the storybook ending!"
It was there for the taking and for 25 minutes it seemed possible. The cougars played with heart and fire, but in the end came up agonizing short of completing the fairytale.
But for a Cougars team that says goodbye to six 5th year players, all is not lost. This team became the Queens of the Queen City...nearly 2500 fans in packed the CKHS, watching from everywhere, including the track upstairs. The ruckus fans erupting with each Cougar basket. Standing ovations were common place on this night that gave everyone a show of true sports desire.
The tears after the loss are hard to watch. Chelsea Cassano, the team's rock in the middle, sobbing openly. Meryl Jordan hugging family members. Jessica Lynch, a ferocious competitor, gathering her teammates together for one last cheer. It's a scene that touches everyone who was blessed to be there.
And while the trophy was not theirs to have, this group of girls are certainly Champions. Not because of their amazing on court performance, but for what they are off the court. The girls are more than accommodating to the media and their fans. There are more smiles than at a dentist's convention. It's the quiet charisma with which they walk the halls.
Head Coach Dave Taylor considers these girls his second family and commented on how "Hindsight will show this to be one of the best Cougar teams ever" after back to back silver medals at Nationals.
So often in sports we measure everything in wins and losses, but the U of R Cougars proved this weekend that you don't need the high score to be crowned winners.
For this reporter, it truly was the best weekend covering sports I've had the pleasure to be a part of. Thank you Cougars.
It was there for the taking and for 25 minutes it seemed possible. The cougars played with heart and fire, but in the end came up agonizing short of completing the fairytale.
But for a Cougars team that says goodbye to six 5th year players, all is not lost. This team became the Queens of the Queen City...nearly 2500 fans in packed the CKHS, watching from everywhere, including the track upstairs. The ruckus fans erupting with each Cougar basket. Standing ovations were common place on this night that gave everyone a show of true sports desire.
The tears after the loss are hard to watch. Chelsea Cassano, the team's rock in the middle, sobbing openly. Meryl Jordan hugging family members. Jessica Lynch, a ferocious competitor, gathering her teammates together for one last cheer. It's a scene that touches everyone who was blessed to be there.
And while the trophy was not theirs to have, this group of girls are certainly Champions. Not because of their amazing on court performance, but for what they are off the court. The girls are more than accommodating to the media and their fans. There are more smiles than at a dentist's convention. It's the quiet charisma with which they walk the halls.
Head Coach Dave Taylor considers these girls his second family and commented on how "Hindsight will show this to be one of the best Cougar teams ever" after back to back silver medals at Nationals.
So often in sports we measure everything in wins and losses, but the U of R Cougars proved this weekend that you don't need the high score to be crowned winners.
For this reporter, it truly was the best weekend covering sports I've had the pleasure to be a part of. Thank you Cougars.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Tammy Jule - Athelte of the Week
Just a week after turning 23 Tammy Jule took an afternoon to sit down and chat with me. The Regina beach product walks away from the volleyball court as the U of R's all-time kills leader.
DM - Was volleyball always your passion, your interest?
TJ - I grew up on an acreage and was more involved with horses and stuff like that. My first time playing volleyball would have been in grade 7 and I sat on the bench for half a year. I really enjoyed basketball and was better at it. But in grade 9 I was recruited for a club team and that's where everything started and I couldn't turn back.
To this day Jule still loves horses. She says it is the way you get to know a horse so well that you can just know which way they're going to go. The outdoors and the getting away from the city all appeals to her.DM - So were you real tall in grade 9, real athletic?
TJ - I was just enough. I started club in grade 9. Actually there was a provincial team tryout. I didn't know about provincial team. Never heard of it. We were encouraged to try out and I thought there was no way I'll make it, so I didn't go. My parents were upset, so they took me to Moose Jaw for the ID camp and I ended up making the team and ended up playing for the youth National team that summer. S it all happened pretty fast.
Over the course of her career Jule played for the Regina Reds Club, Provincial team, Youth National team, Junior National team, the University of Buffalo and the U of R.
DM - back in grade 9, would have you expected all this?
TJ - I was just kinda going week to week, team to team. I didn't expect in my first year playing club to be playing on the National team by any means. So it was all pretty new to me. But as soon as you're on that team, then university becomes more and more of a reality.
DM - What was your time at the U of R like?
TJ - It was great to come home and to be with family and friends. To see familiar faces in the crowd, to play with the girls I grew up with, that was really good. Even getting the chance to help coach some of my now teammates, that was really cool. It was good to have the people close to me that have supported me throughout my career come and watch me.
DM - As volleyball goes, is this it for you?
TJ - I'm not ready to be done. There's a few opportunities that will hopefully come up. They have pro leagues overseas. Europe, Asia, Puerto Rico. I'm talking with an agent and I'd love to do that.
Jule is the go to gal on the team. When the Cougars need a big shot, she's the one who wants the chance to take it.
DM - Does your play translate into who you are off the court?TJ - I think in some respects. I think my close friends will come to me for advice. If I don't have the answer, I'll hope to sort thru it the best I can.
Enrolled in the faculty of Kinesiology & Health studies Jule is making a switch to Marketing. She credits the similarities to the teamwork aspect of marketing and volleyball that makes that path attractive.
DM - Has your involvement in sports inspired your career choice?
TJ - Absolutely. Sports has had huge impact on my life and I know that it'll definitely continue to.
Tammy is the middle child of five. So far she is the most accomplished on the court, giving her youngest sister a role model. her siblings even take her #10.
DM - Is it important to be a leader?
TJ - I think its real important to be that person, cause those are the people I really want in my life and I love having family and friends that I can look to and that support me and I definitely want to be that for other people.
Tidbits: No superstitions
Drives a Honda Ridgeline named 'Roger' (her parents really like her)
DM - What will you remember the most from the U of R?
TJ - I think there's gonna be some games that stand out more than others and some practices you remember more than others, but more than anything its going to be the friendship. The hard work that you put in, just knowing how much, how you could do it. How if you set your mind to something, you could do it. Even if you're so tired and you feel you can't, there's always a way to push thru it.
It seems no matter what happens Tammy Jule will not have to push her way thru life, instead she'll be leading the pack, pulling others along with her towards the top.
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