Last week, I posted about Grace Shin, a golfer here at UCO recently diagnosed with ALL Leukemia.
She has seen such great support through social media posts and constant encouragement through text messages.
Now, it's time for us to help her family out too.
If you've ever been to the hospital for stitches, or taken a ride in an ambulance, you know how expensive medical bills can be.
Imagine receiving 24 hour treatment, and living in that hospital bed for weeks. That's what the Shin family is going through as we speak.
Of course they don't mind. They will do whatever it takes to get Grace the best treatment possible!
So my question is, why shouldn't we?
Someone way more creative than me designed these t-shirts, which are $20, and go directly to the Shin family to help offset medical costs.
Our golf team was sent the link a couple of days ago, and we already have a few guys wanting to buy the shirt. I've also seen other people post on social media about it, and it has generated a lot of interest.
The team is selling tshirts to offset medical costs for Grace. The cost is $20! Contact me or a team member to order! pic.twitter.com/sFjz3bjU7U
As the post says, you contact Michael Bond, the women's golf coach, to buy a shirt. You can also reach out to anyone on the women's golf team, many of whom have already tweeted out the same picture.
You can either spend $20 on yourself, or you can spend $20 to help save a life. Your choice.
This is a blog meant for golf news and updates, but sometimes, there are more important things in life.
This post won't contain a bunch of pictures, or cool stats, or fancy predictions.
This...this is close to home
Grace Shin, a sophomore from Union High School in Tulsa, and a member of the women's golf team, was diagnosed with acute leukemia over the weekend, and began a 24-week chemotherapy treatment yesterday.
We have guys on the golf team who are close to her, and give us daily updates on the treatment, and each day will be a battle.
I don't know Grace very well, but from what I've seen and what I've been told, she is a fighter, and she will not stop fighting until she wins.
And from what I've seen on social media, and throughout the athletic department at UCO, she has a big team fighting right along side her. #PrayersForGrace
It's the best week of the year, therefore, I apologize in advance for the length of this post. Sorry, I'm just excited! Golf's premier tournament, and 1st major, begins Thursday at Augusta National in Georgia.
Well, Masters week technically began on Sunday, with the annual Drive, Chip and Putt competition, featuring boys and girls from 7-15 from all across the country competing in golf's version of Punt, Pass and Kick.
Tonight is the annual Champions Dinner,a dinner exclusively for prior Masters champions. The dinner is hosted by the defending champion, who in this case is England's Danny Willett. Willett has the difficult task of putting together the menu for the night, although it looks like he did a pretty good job.
The festivities continue Wednesday in the annual Par 3 competition, a chance for players to bring their families onto the 9-hole par 3 course and relax before the biggest week of their season. Be careful though, no player who has won the Par 3 event has gone on to win the Masters.
The real fun begins Thursday morning.
The ceremonial opening tee shot from "The Big 3" will be one short this year, as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will be without The King, Arnold Palmer. This will be the 1st Masters since Palmer passed away last year.
After those tee shots, the tournament officially begins. Here's your look at the course, the contenders, and who I think will put on that famous jacket Sunday evening.
The Course
I don't think my words can effectively describe the beauty that is Augusta National, so see for yourself.
Just in case you're wondering, there are SEVERAL famous holes at Augusta. So here's a brief dialogue on those.
15 and 16: Another risk-reward par-5 at 15, and the picturesque par-3 16th, each have their fair share of thrilling moments, including Jack Nicklaus's famous iron shot in the '86 Masters, and Tiger Woods infamous chip that hung on the lip for what seemed like hours, then fell.
Willett literally came "out of nowhere...to lead the pack...at Augusta," (gotta love Caddyshack.) Of course, everyone remembers Jordan Spieth's collapse on the dangerous par 3 12th.However, Willett played fantastic on Sunday, firing a 5-under 67. Willett hasn't made much noise since that win, but it's hard to forget about the defending champ.
Jordan Spieth
The aformentioned Spieth certainly gave the Masters to Willett last year, but let's not forget how much success he's had there the past 2 years. Aside from the 12th on Sunday, Spieth has been far and away the best player on the course each year, and that likely won't change this year. Spieth is the best putter in the world, so you better believe he will be in contention again on Sunday.
Dustin Johnson The #1 player in the world, Johnson can't be touched if he is making ANY putts. His length, and his new dedication to his wedge game makes him an impossible force. However, the course doesn't necessarily fit his game. Johnson loves playing a high cut off the tee, but Augusta is set up for a draw on the majority of holes. That's not to say Johnson can't do it, because he has proved this year he can win multiple ways, but that's something to keep an eye on.
Rory McIlroy
Another young gun who hits it a mile, Rory has had success at Augusta, and could've had a green jacket if not for a second-9 collapse on Sunday back in 2011. Rory hits it a long way, and has the touch around the greens to be in contention just about anywhere, including the Masters. McIlroy lacks the green jacket to complete the career grand slam.
Sleepers Phil Mickelson
Hard to consider a 3-time Masters champion a sleeper, but Phil has struggled a bit as of late, and missed the cut last year. His ball striking has been an issue, but Phil is the best short game player on the planet, and if he can find a groove with his irons, he has a chance.
Jon Rahm
He is everyone's favorite sleeper pick, and there's a reason for it. Rahm has burst onto the scene this year, already having a win under his belt, and multiple events has been in contention. He has the firepower to win at Augusta, but this being his first Masters, can he handle the nerves?
My Winner: Rory McIlroy
There's a formula for success at the Masters. That's why the same guys are in contention each and every year.
1. You need to be long off the tee. Not astronomically long, but longer than average. 2. Big high draws are a plus off the tee(fades for lefties.) 3. High approach shots make things much easier, as the Augusta greens are hard and fast. 4. Speaking of greens, you MUST be able to putt well to have a chance. The best putters in the world are generally the ones in contention. 5. Finally, it is absolutely imperative that you take advantage of the 4 par-5's. They aren't overly long, and are generally birdie holes. Take advantage, because there aren't many other opportunities out there.
Factoring all of these keys in, my winner this year is Rory McIlroy. The defending FedEx Cup champion has played well thus far, with 3 top-10s in 4 events, and he has a solid track record at Augusta. He's a long high ball hitter, and if his putter gets hot, he's the best player in the field. I like Rory to complete the career grand slam this week.
Have fun watching, and feel free to comment on who you think will put on the green jacket this year!
Over the weekend, Dustin Johnson rolled through the golf version of March Madness, culminating with a 1UP victory over Jon Rahm to claim the Dell Match Play down in Austin. I say it's March Madness because the PGA Tour goes through a 64-player bracket, much like the NCAA Tournament.
It may as well been a one man event.
Johnson, already the #1 player in the world, proved that ranking by earning his 3rd win in as many starts, and in the process becoming the 1st player to win all 4 World Golf Championships (Match Play, HSBC, Bridgestone, and Mexico Championships) in a career. Tiger has the most, but he never won the HSBC.
And he knocked off golf's hottest rookie to do it.
Rahm, already a winner on TOUR earlier in the year, dominated through the early portion of the bracket, with his closest match coming in a 3 and 2 (meaning up by 3 holes with 2 to play) win over Bill Haas in the semis.
Johnson had the gas pedal flat on the floor early, starting 5UP thru 8 holes, in what looked like a blowout.
But in a match-up with this much firepower, anything can happen.
Rahm cut into the deficit early on the back, then won 3 of 4 holes from 13-17, getting back to 1DN heading to 18. But Johnson, being the top player in the world, shut the door on 18 to seal the deal.
The TOUR heads south to Houston for the the Shell Houston Open for the final tune-up before the best week of the year...Masters week.
I think the biggest thing I've learned about this golf blog is that you have to be interesting to be seen. I started out writing generic tournament previews and recaps, which are fine, and I will continue doing that. But in order to gain followers and popularity, you have to be unique. Golf can be viewed as boring by some people, so you have to constantly find ways to make it interesting, even to people who don't care much for it.
Equipment Malfunction
I kind of mentioned it in my first answer, but instead of focusing strictly on the PGA Tour, I've started to implement articles on college golf, both men's and women's. I think that makes my blog a little more unique, especially since I play on the team. It kind of gives an inside perspective into college athletics.
The Back 9
I'm going into sports broadcasting, so having a blog on sports gives me a certain level of "expertise" in the subject (even if my golf game says otherwise.) I also think it's unique, as it isn't a popular sport(football, basketball) and it isn't a popular local team that would otherwise get lost in the clutter. The blog is something I can attach to my resume to show that I have more than just basic knowledge.
"Competitive Golf is Played Mainly on a Five-and-a-Half Inch Course, the Space Between your Ears"
I would say it has caused me to think more creatively. Early on, I was pretty dry and boring, which matched people's opinion of the sport. That isn't fun to read. So I have done my best to think a little more outside the box when I write, because I know there are people out there who couldn't care less about golf. So my writing is what will keep them interested.
The Next 18
I think the biggest things are to be original, and be creative. Original meaning don't just do what everyone else is doing. I could've very easily written a blog on the Thunder, or OU athletics. But I felt like there were so many of those, mine would just be white noise. Next, being creative means making something boring something fun. Golf doesn't have big collisions, or heart-stopping drama. Not to everyone. To me, there is nothing like a guy coming down the 18th fairway, knowing he needs a birdie to tie, and attacking a dangerous pin dangling behind a lake. That is drama, and that is how I latch readers to my writing.
We've focused a lot on the PGA Tour here, and for good reason.
The casual golf fan likely doesn't care about the Web.com Tour, or the European Tour, or the Adams Tour, or unfortunately, the LPGA Tour.
I bet these girls care about it though.
The UCO women's golf team works just as hard as the men's team, plays some of the same courses, and works out just like any other golf team, yet they don't get the recognition they deserve.
Well let's change that.
The girls took part in the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational at Kickingbird Golf Club, beginning on Monday. Here was their lineup for the event.
Freshman Sydney Roberts led the way, shooting 76 to put her in a tie for 5th in the individual standings. Marla Souvannasing and Makena Mucciaccio both shot 79. As a team, the Bronchos were in 2nd place, six shots behind Southwestern Oklahoma.
The real fireworks happened on the back 9 on Tuesday.
Roberts, who came into the final round seven shots back, fired a 4-under 31 on the back 9, pulling off a huge comeback to win the individual crown by a shot. Roberts had an eagle and two birdies on her final 9 en route to a 2-under 68.
So proud of this squad and what they accomplished...final rnd 291 win by 3! Sydney back 9 31 (68) to win individual title! #takes5#competepic.twitter.com/3ctQVkeqFf
Back
in the old days, golf was played with wooden clubs, made by a handful of manufacturers, and used by everyone. Today, there are so many brands and styles
to choose from that it can get a little overwhelming.
That’s where golf
equipment blogs come in handy. People begin these blogs to provide club
reviews, suggestions, and information on what the professionals use. However,
these blogs can provide a slanted look on what clubs are best for each
individual.
Even though golf blogs provide great insight into equipment, they
also make the buying process more difficult.
People
have become so obsessed with what professional players use that they just buy
it for that reason alone. Websites like Golf WRX, The Sand Trap, and My GolfSpy were created to give golfers a look into professional equipment, while also
providing “expert reviews” on the biggest name in the club industry.
Golfers
will go out and spend hundreds of dollars on clubs just because their favorite
pro uses them, instead of buying the clubs best fit to them. That is my biggest
problem with golf blogs, is that most of the reviews are tailored to the person
using them. While they can be great for information, I’m not sure they work
well for purchasing decisions.
The
ability to use the Internet has both helped and hurt the golf industry, in that
it allows amateur golfers to find out information on clubs, but it also doesn’t
provide them with the perfect club for them. Golf blogs are great for chunks of
facts, but if you want the best clubs for you, go get fitted by a golf pro.
Former Oklahoma State Cowboy Rickie Fowler, well-known for his lack of success in finishing off golf tournaments, finally proved the critics wrong over the weekend in Florida, winning The Honda Classic by 4.
Fowler was previously 0-4 in closing out tournaments in which he held the 54-hole lead, and it looked like we were heading that way early in the final round on Sunday.
Rickie had a four-shot lead coming into the final round, but a tee shot into the water on 6 and into the trees on 9 trimmed his lead to 1 heading into the back 9.
Fowler responded with some timely putting, and this dart on the tough 16th.
Speaking of orange power, former Poke Morgan Hoffman finished T-2nd, 4 shots behind Fowler. Florida Gator Billy Horschel and Martin Kaymer finished T-4th, and defending champion Adam Scott finished T-14th.
Rickie's win continued a trend of a youth movement on TOUR. 11 of the 15 winners this season are in their 20s. Players like Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, and Hideki Matsuyama are consistently topping leaderboards, removing any worry about the state of golf post-Tiger Woods.
This past fall was my last season, and before it started, I saw an opportunity when it was over.
I played a lot of competitive golf over the past few summers, and wanted to try playing on our school team. We had graduated quite a few guys, and got a new coach at a time that didn't allow him to go out and recruit.
We were hurting for players, and I wanted to help.
I went and talked to Coach Fosdick before fall camp, and told him my intentions. I told him about my competitive golf, my situation with football, and my drive to get better in the sport. Lucky for me, he liked the idea!
Okay, enough about me. Who really cares about that stuff anyway?
Earlier this week, we had our first tournament of the spring season down in San Antonio. I unfortunately didn't play well enough to qualify for this event, so I stayed home and supported through my cell phone. The guys that did make it were:
The guys stopped outside of Austin first to visit the headquarters for Edel Golf, which is home to custom-made putters and the unique single-length irons that are becoming the hot new item in golf. They also said hi to our incoming recruit, Nico Edel, who committed to UCO a while back.
After getting fit for putters and single-length irons, it was time to get down to business. The guys played a practice round at The Dominion Country Club on Sunday to get ready for what was supposed to be 54 holes over the next 2 days. Record rainfall cut the event to 36.
We finished the 1st round in a tie for 4th in the 16-team field. Berto led the way, shooting +1 73, with Nick shooting +2 74, Eli and Wes +3 75, and Zander +4 76. Bert ended the day T-11.
The next day didn't go quite as well.
The tough Bermuda greens made it hard for anyone to have confidence in their stroke, and a brutal back 9 caused scores to balloon.
Berto and Eli found a way to push through, shooting solid even par 72s, and Bert finished in T-4 in the individual standings. As a team, we finished T-5, which would be a good tournament for most teams, but not so good for a team with the expectations we have for ourselves.
It's early, and this is the 1st tournament of the spring, but we are going to work even harder now to get to where we know we can be.
It looks like prior history is rather important this season.
Last week, we talked about how Jordan Spieth had great success at the AT&T Pro-Am in previous years. He went on to dominate the field in his first win of the season.
This week, everyone talked about how successful Dustin Johnson has been at Riviera, even though he has never won.
Johnson started his day with a 3rd round -7 64, to enter his 2nd 18 of the day with a 5-shot lead. He would widen that margin to 9 at one point, until settling for an easy 5-shot victory with a closing even-par 71.
The TOUR heads across the country this week for The Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Adam Scott is the defending champion, and will look to become just the second player to defend their title in the event, along with the great Jack Nicklaus.
