Posts Tagged ‘Sports’
The Master’s Tournament: Golf’s “masters” fall short
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Monday, 13 April 2009 11:47
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At the ripe old age of 48, Kenny Perry has yet to win a major golf tournament. That was to change this past weekend in Augusta, Georgia as Perry began the fourth and final round of The Master’s Tournament with the lead. Like we have seen many times, Tiger Woods came from seven strokes down to challenge the leaders for yet another major win. The difference this time…he fell short. Yes, after climbing back into contention once again, Tiger finished the Master’s final round with back-to back bogeys on 17 and 18. Tiger was unable to chase down the beautiful execution of Mr. Perry.

A native of Kentucky, Kenny Perry had every chance to capture his first major. He played almost flawlessly throughout the tournament, at least until the last four holes. You see, Perry had a two stroke lead as he teed off on the 17th hole. But, like so many golfers, he buckled under the intense pressure of the idea of the “Green Jacket.” Winners of The Masters Tournament don’t receive a trophy. Instead, they are rewarded with a green blazer and a lifelong locker, fully inscribed with their name, in the locker room at the Augusta  National golf course. Perry, like so many, fell short. He too finished with back-to-back bogeys in regulation play, and buckled under the pressure when playing extra holes.

For every loser, there is a winner. Argentina’s Angel Cabrera would be the ultimate champion this past weekend. After Perry bogeyed his last two holes, Cabrera sank a putt to place him in a tie with Perry after the 72 hole regulation. Also, Chad Campbell (waiting in the clubhouse) was summoned to join Perry and Cabrera to a “sudden death playoff,” since he had already posted the -12 score earlier. After losing the first hole of the playoff, Campbell was done, however Perry and Cabrera continued. Perry’s abysmal performance in the waning moments of the championship perpetuated his major championship goose-egg. Had he won, he would have been the oldest to ever win a major in the PGA. Cabrera’s mediocre finish was just enough to propel him to his first green jacket.

Angel was the first Argentine to win a major in 2007, when he captured the U.S. Open, and this Master’s win is his second major victory.  He joined an elite group of only 45 PGA golfers to win the elusive “Green Jacket.”

Touted as the "masters" of today, the top two ranked players, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, started the final round seven strokes back. Both had stellar performances, but neither quite delivered. When asked, Woods denied that his recent knee surgery played a role in his inevitable demise saying, “the knee is fine.”

Congrats to Angel Cabrera for a job well done, especially since he is known for chain-smoking cigarettes on the golf course!

 
North Carolina, Louisville: College basketball teams say, “Show me the moxie!”
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Tuesday, 07 April 2009 13:15
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Just a year ago, North Carolina Tar Heel fans were writhing in anticipation. Like a pack of coyotes, they were hungrily salivating and yapping all around the country as they awaited the answer to one of the most significant questions in college basketball: would Tyler Hansbrough forego his senior season and bolt to the NBA? In the Jerry Maguire era of “show me the money,” many speculated that the “money” in the NBA was just too good to pass up. Come on, Hansbrough had just been named the national player of the year, and nearly every NBA draft expert had him as a top ten pick. So, why on earth would Hansbrough take the chance? I mean, he might get hurt, right? Who knows what might happen? The smart and financially responsible choice was to “take the money and run.” But, once in a while, we see a young person use his heart and not his “pocketbook” to lead him to this conclusion: being a national champion has no price tag. So, in spite of the naysayers, Tyler Hansbrough delighted his faithful fans and announced that he would return to UNC for one last chance to become a champion.

What many people don’t know is that at 8 years old, Greg Hansbrough (Tyler’s older brother) underwent  surgery to remove a tumor from his brain stem. Young Tyler had to watch his brother, best friend, and greatest competitor be reduced to learning simple things, such as walking, all over again. Their mother, Tami, explains, "So, Tyler was old enough that he saw the challenges and saw Greg struggle and overcome things that were so incredible for actually our whole family and that made an impact on him."  Tyler and Greg played ball together. So in honor of his brother, Tyler elected to wear Greg’s number (50) after he earned a scholarship to play as a Tar Heel at UNC.

Well, as it rarely happens, the fairy tale has come true. Monday night, April 6, 2009, Tyler and company cut down the nets in Detroit, as UNC won its 5th NCAA championship. Talk about karma. Not often do we see character traits like “commitment” and “loyalty” be rewarded, at least not in such an overtly glorious fashion. I may not be a fan of the powder blue Heels, but I can’t help but celebrate the example that Tyler has displayed to a nation full of kids like Terrell Owens and Michael Vick — kids that seek fame and glory for THEMSELVES — kids that would sell their soul to be a professional athlete at any cost.

“Show me the money”? No, I say, “Show me the moxie.” That’s right, moxie is what propelled Hansbrough and his teammates to the pinnacle of true athletics, a college championship. A reward that has little “instant gratification,” at least when referring to fast cars and big mansions. No, their reward will be a lifetime of personal satisfaction — that their hard work, team mentality, and most important, commitment has bought them something that money can’t buy, an NCAA college basketball championship.

To celebrate a little local Midwest fairly tale, the University of Louisville Lady Cards have earned their first trip to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game in St. Louis. They will face their greatest Big East conference foe, the University of Connecticut Huskies, for the women's NCAA championship. Speaking of “moxie,” the Cardinals are led by senior, Angel McCoughtry, in their first ever championship game appearance. Guess what…last year Angel passed up a sure chance to play in the WNBA. Yes, like Hansbrough, she too wanted the opportunity to share this experience with her team and the city of Louisville — an opportunity to make history and create eternal memories, rather than earning “big money.”

Congratulations North Carolina and Louisville, you've earned it!

The Women’s championship game will be televised on ESPN tonight, Tuesday April 7, at 8:30pm. GO CARDS!!!

 
Woods a man of true hope and inspiration
Written by Ron McClure Jr.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 14:34
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Once in a generation, a unique and inspiring individual comes along, a person that brings hope to all people, but especially instills ambition in the hearts of young Americans. Oftentimes, this person will transcend racial, cultural and economic barriers to become a timeless icon, forever etched in world history.

I’m talking about a man whose father was an African-American; who, despite being raised in a fairly affluent environment, still had to overcome many social obstacles. Although many minorities have achieved success in their own right, this man, his charisma and his accomplishments have captivated the entire world.

Since the first time I watched Tiger Woods play golf, I knew I was witnessing history in the making. Tiger exudes the type of personality that is infectious and stimulating. His focus and determination are rare, and one can’t help but wonder, “how” or “why” does he do it? Examples are “many” and “near” between,” because he manages to find a way to “overcome” almost every adversity he faces in life.

Woods started his career “on fire,” winning tournament after tournament. But after a few years, he realized that his “style” of play would bring unseasonable physical strain, and would likely reduce the length of his career. Though inundated with intense criticism, Tiger elected to “change his swing,” Why would he alter his swing after such record-breaking success? The answer is simple: Longevity… After a couple of mediocre years (while refining his new swing), he began to dominate the field once again.

Tiger is renowned for having “nerves of steel,” rarely succumbing to the pressure of pivotal shots, ones that turn the average “macho” golf pro into utter jello. Just when you think that he has no chance in hell, he steps it up and makes the “impossible,” possible. We have watched him overcome his swing change; witnessed him winning championships in spite of losing his father, Earl (also his best friend and mentor); and at the tender age of 32, Tiger has surpassed all pro golfers except Jack Nicklaus with the most major championship victories by one player.

Once again, we are privileged to behold the magic of Tiger Woods. Monday he captured the 2008 U.S. Open Championship while literally limping his way through all four rounds, a playoff round, and one extra sudden-death hole. In his first tournament since undergoing his third knee surgery, Tiger’s doctors told him that the grueling 72 holes of the championship were to be an almost insurmountable test for his recovering knee (in fact, Woods had not walked a complete 18 hole practice round). However, in reality, it would take the “72 holes,” PLUS an extra 19 (a total of 91), for Woods to grind out his 14th major championship. Speaking at the presentation of the championship trophy, Tiger expressed that despite the intense pain, he could not allow himself to quit on all of the people who supported him. Much like Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods has once again transcended sports, reminding us that no matter how hard things get, we must never give up.

"You keep playing," Woods said. "Whatever it is, you just keep going, keep going forward. All my buddies and I used to, when we were working out, used to always say 'Four.' How many more reps do you have? Four. Four-ever. And that's the idea. You just keep going, and there's no finish line, and you just keep pushing and pushing." (Pat Forde, espn.com)

Congrats Tiger, and thank you!