Posts Tagged ‘SPORTS’

Golf Addiction Taking Root

August 15, 2007 – 4:41 pm
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I was fortunate enough to get into golf when I was a teenager but once I got to college my regular play fell off the map completely.

I suppose my handicap never got better than a 15 or so for regulation courses but I played a local par 3 course (any fans of Sinaloa GC, Simi Valley, CA out there?) like crazy so my short game was always my forte.

Anyway, it was maybe a month and a half ago that my lovely bride of almost two years now said something about enjoying golf watching on TV. There happened to be a tournament on TV that weekend so we watched the final round one Sunday afternoon. I think she might have fallen asleep before it finished (not to say that she didn’t enjoy watching it) but I was really pulled into the match and now back into the game itself.

Since then:

  • I’ve made it a point to try to hit the driving range every other day
  • I’ve purchased new shoes and gloves
  • I signed up for lessons with a local pro (we’ve met twice thus far)
  • and I’ve developed tendinitis in my fingers/hands

That’s right… tendinitis. At first I though maybe my grips were too thin and hitting steel shafted irons off the driving mats were bruising the bones in my hands. Then I thought maybe just doing too much too soon (I try to hit ~85 balls each trip) might have torn the muscles in my hands like I’m prone to doing in my arms and chest when I ambitiously workout every 6 months. But as far as I know, there are no muscles in your fingers just ligaments and tendons that give you grip strength.

The more I read about tendinitis the more I’m convinced that is where my pain in coming from. My finger was even exhibiting behavior similar to mild trigger finger. The pain is especially bad for some reason in my left pinkie finger (yes, my instructor says my grip is in good form… well since he changed it anyway).

I’m going to give my hands a break for a week and then ease into the range again starting with closer to 30 balls the first time out. I can’t wait to feed the golf hunger but my body says otherwise.

They say you should do everything in moderation… but did they really mean golf as well?

BTW.. Bryan Coombes & Greg Witherall, if you ever read this send me a message. I think of you guys every time I get out on the course.

Posted in Random Stuff, Sports/Recreation | Comments (1)

The Rare Unassisted Triple Play

May 2, 2007 – 9:11 am
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Denver Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki sure put an end to this no out rally in a hurry. More luck than anything I suppose - but still very rare nonetheless!

Posted in Distractions | Comments (2)

Showdown With Phoenix

April 19, 2007 – 5:37 pm
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Well the Lakers stumbled into the playoffs somehow and it certainly wasn’t because they earned it. The reason they secured a spot was probably due to the fact that Denver, the Clippers and Golden State don’t belong there either.

The team will enter game 1 (of the best of 7 series) with a healthy roster (unusual) and a hot shooting Kobe Bryant (not so unusual). So why are they playing some of their worst basketball of the season? If I knew the answer to that I’d probably be on their payroll.

If I look at the world realistically then I have to assume Phil Jackson knows a thing or two more than I do about the team. Of course looking at the world realistically would probably mean not caring about things like basketball but suffer with me for a bit..

Here are some reasons I have heard repeatedly as to why the Lakers are struggling:

  • They haven’t been healthy all year and putting a full roster on the floor is causing chemistry problems
  • Kobe and Llamar just can’t play together period.
  • Kobe is losing faith in his teammates and as such has begun the cycle of not passing… teammates watching.. etc…
  • They get paid too much and only want to do ‘C’ work in the first place
  • They just don’t have the talent
  • One thing is missing: Defense

Of course as go politics, so go sports… I’m sure you could make a huge list of arguments for and against each excuse listed above.

The bottom line however is that they just aren’t doing what needs to be done. Teammates all have pride as of course do coaches. Often winning something as a team means that a member (or more) of that team needs to put aside their personal goals in favor of the team goals.

In light of that, I completely support Phil’s decision to start Farmar at the point and bring the regular starter, Parker, off the bench. Parker seems to suffer from a willingness (or ability) to play defense and stop perimeter penetration which is exactly what is going to kill the Lakers in this series with the Suns.

Of course I don’t know if Parker is lax on defense because of a selfish motive … but Phil’s smart to turn personal pride (losing a starting position) into achieving a team goal.

Just my 2 cents - please chime in!

Update: BTW, my prediction before the series starts? The Suns in 6 games.

Posted in Sports/Recreation | Comments (3)