GOLF magazine has again issued its list of the top 100 golf courses in the U.S. and the world and, once again, there is only one in this region which made the cut on the national list.
Prairie Dunes in Hutchinson, KS is ranked 16th, the same place that it occupied in the last rankings in 2009. The next closest to Kansas City are Southern Hills (#35), in Tulsa, OK, and Bellerive (#87), St. Louis, MO. Another is Sand Hills in Nebraska--about as far out in the middle of nowhere as a quality course can get.
The top ten includes the usual suspects: Pine Valley, Pine Valley, NJ; Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, CA; Augusta National, Augusta, GA; Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, NY; Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, CA; Oakmont, Oakmont, PA; Merion (East), Ardmore, PA; Sand Hills, Mullen, NE; National Golf Links of America, Southampton, NY; and Pinehurst (No. 2), Pinehurst, NC.
Good luck if you want to play any of these courses--the top ten list is either (a) ultra-exclusive or (b) more expensive to play than your monthly mortgage.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The on-deck circle
Remember in Little League, when you made the jump up from the "little kid" leagues to the league where typically one wore a full uniform, got to sit in close-to-real dugouts and, most cool of all, got to spend time in a real on-deck circle awaiting a turn at bat? What made the on-deck circle so cool, for Little Leaguers of old like me, was the weighted bat and the "doughnuts"--the plastic, weighted contraptions which encircled the bat just like the major leaguers'--in the on-deck circle.
In Little League, acting like a major leaguer was half the battle. Not only did we mimic the uniform style of the time with how we wore our socks and bended the bill of our cap, but the routine of major league players was copied in the on-deck circle as well. One of the coolest things was to tamp the ground with the bat, just like the big leaguers, ridding the bat of the weight and thus preparing a Little League batter for battle.
Alas, that whole memory of old was jarred today in reading the Wall Street Journal where a story on the physiology of hitting revealed that weighted bats and doughnuts actually made one's swing slower than the expected snap we figured was a consequence of warming up with something heavier. Coop DeRenne, a physical education instructor at the University of Hawaii, has research which shows that increasing or decreasing the weight of one's bat by 10%-13% decreases bat speed from three to five miles per hour.
Many hitting instructors are apparently aware of this phenomenon yet are reluctant to mess with players' routines. The majority feel that the on-deck circle is the province of the player--that what the player wants to do there takes precedence over coaching or better understanding physiological insights.
What then would DeRenne say to batters, knowing that they are typically hooked on this illusion that weighted acoutrements help them prepare for their next at bat? "I'd tell them, 'Why are you so smart while you train and so dumb in the on-deck circle?'"
In Little League, acting like a major leaguer was half the battle. Not only did we mimic the uniform style of the time with how we wore our socks and bended the bill of our cap, but the routine of major league players was copied in the on-deck circle as well. One of the coolest things was to tamp the ground with the bat, just like the big leaguers, ridding the bat of the weight and thus preparing a Little League batter for battle.
Alas, that whole memory of old was jarred today in reading the Wall Street Journal where a story on the physiology of hitting revealed that weighted bats and doughnuts actually made one's swing slower than the expected snap we figured was a consequence of warming up with something heavier. Coop DeRenne, a physical education instructor at the University of Hawaii, has research which shows that increasing or decreasing the weight of one's bat by 10%-13% decreases bat speed from three to five miles per hour.
Many hitting instructors are apparently aware of this phenomenon yet are reluctant to mess with players' routines. The majority feel that the on-deck circle is the province of the player--that what the player wants to do there takes precedence over coaching or better understanding physiological insights.
What then would DeRenne say to batters, knowing that they are typically hooked on this illusion that weighted acoutrements help them prepare for their next at bat? "I'd tell them, 'Why are you so smart while you train and so dumb in the on-deck circle?'"
Friday, July 29, 2011
Smack talkin'
Ah, sports fans, the world is right again, isn't it? Labor peace in the NFL. Fantasy Football commissioners readying for annual drafts. College football media days this week. And, Big 12 schools are still bickering.
It's all good and can only mean that fall--and big-time smack talk--is right around the corner.
ESPN The Magazine recently published a story about college sports fans and what they are saying about their rival schools. The results, not surprisingly, tend to focus on the major programs and the most well-known rivalries, including our own local Kansas-Missouri "Border War."
Here you go--a summary of input from 3,000 online entrants and which smack talk phrase they cited most often:
"Liar, liar vest on fire." Ohio State Buckeyes, 16.2%.
"Trojans don't protect against the NCAA." USC Trojans, 11.6%.
"Around the bowl, down the hole, roll, Tide, roll." Alabama Crimson Tide, 8.6%.
"Hoosier Daddy?" Indiana Hoosiers, 6.4%.
Tigers Bleaux." LSU Tigers, 5.8%.
"Not smart enough for Cal, not pretty enough for USC." UCLA Bruins, 5.7%.
"You flop like it's your job." Duke Blue Devils, 5.2%.
"Rock chalk, chicken hawk." Kansas Jayhawks, 4.8%.
"Big House of disappointment." Michigan Wolverines, 4.8%.
"You're responsible for Ryan Leaf." Washington State Cougars, 3.7%.
"Eat more Bevo." Texas Longhorns, 3.1%.
"All you ever win is frequent-flyer points." Hawaii Warriors, 3.0%.
"M-I-Z-E-R-Y." Missouri Tigers, 2.5%.
"San Diego is not a state." San Diego State Aztecs, 2.4%.
"All dirt roads lead to Tech." Virginia Tech Hokies, 2.4%.
"One and done University." Kentucky Wildcats, 1.9%.
"Ted Bundy was a Husky." Washington Huskies, 1.7%.
"AFLAC." Oregon Ducks, 1.5%.
"Save a tree, kill a Beaver." Oregon State Beavers, 1.3%.
Other - 4.9%.
It's all good and can only mean that fall--and big-time smack talk--is right around the corner.
ESPN The Magazine recently published a story about college sports fans and what they are saying about their rival schools. The results, not surprisingly, tend to focus on the major programs and the most well-known rivalries, including our own local Kansas-Missouri "Border War."
Here you go--a summary of input from 3,000 online entrants and which smack talk phrase they cited most often:
"Liar, liar vest on fire." Ohio State Buckeyes, 16.2%.
"Trojans don't protect against the NCAA." USC Trojans, 11.6%.
"Around the bowl, down the hole, roll, Tide, roll." Alabama Crimson Tide, 8.6%.
"Hoosier Daddy?" Indiana Hoosiers, 6.4%.
Tigers Bleaux." LSU Tigers, 5.8%.
"Not smart enough for Cal, not pretty enough for USC." UCLA Bruins, 5.7%.
"You flop like it's your job." Duke Blue Devils, 5.2%.
"Rock chalk, chicken hawk." Kansas Jayhawks, 4.8%.
"Big House of disappointment." Michigan Wolverines, 4.8%.
"You're responsible for Ryan Leaf." Washington State Cougars, 3.7%.
"Eat more Bevo." Texas Longhorns, 3.1%.
"All you ever win is frequent-flyer points." Hawaii Warriors, 3.0%.
"M-I-Z-E-R-Y." Missouri Tigers, 2.5%.
"San Diego is not a state." San Diego State Aztecs, 2.4%.
"All dirt roads lead to Tech." Virginia Tech Hokies, 2.4%.
"One and done University." Kentucky Wildcats, 1.9%.
"Ted Bundy was a Husky." Washington Huskies, 1.7%.
"AFLAC." Oregon Ducks, 1.5%.
"Save a tree, kill a Beaver." Oregon State Beavers, 1.3%.
Other - 4.9%.
The power of a new stadium
How important has the move been for Sporting KC, Kansas City's MLS franchise, to their new stadium digs at Livestrong Sporting Park? The team's attendance jumped 81% after the team moved to its new home.
Sporting KC's season ticket sales increased from 2,200 to just over 11,000. And, the club is averaging 18,107 fans per game compared with just over 10,000 in 2010.
(Source: Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal)
Sporting KC's season ticket sales increased from 2,200 to just over 11,000. And, the club is averaging 18,107 fans per game compared with just over 10,000 in 2010.
(Source: Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The rich are getting richer
Don't lament, Longhorn football fans--the University of Texas is currently on track to bring in the best recruiting class of high school football seniors in 2012.
The Sporting News listed out their "125 for 2012" and for all those who are hoping for Texas to continue to struggle in football, forget it--UT already has 18 commitments for next year and many are from this list. Texas A&M, another Big 12 school, is currently listed second by TSN with a whopping 22 commitments. The rest of the current top 10 are: Michigan, Miami, Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Florida, Auburn and Texas Tech.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are mentioned on the lists of contending schools for some of the top 125 but, after that, only Missouri has made a dent--no other Big 12 schools are mentioned. (Missouri is in the running for #3 prospect Dorial Green-Beckham, a WR from Springfield, MO, and has a commitment from #125 Donavin Newsom, a LB from Parkway North in St. Louis.)
Recruiting lists are like preseason polls in college sports, yet they do provide a glimpse into where the power elite resides in college football. Clearly, in the Big 12, a championship run has to go through the state of Texas and those in the middle to back of the pack (Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State) are still hard-pressed to get the talent to compete.
The Sporting News listed out their "125 for 2012" and for all those who are hoping for Texas to continue to struggle in football, forget it--UT already has 18 commitments for next year and many are from this list. Texas A&M, another Big 12 school, is currently listed second by TSN with a whopping 22 commitments. The rest of the current top 10 are: Michigan, Miami, Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Florida, Auburn and Texas Tech.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are mentioned on the lists of contending schools for some of the top 125 but, after that, only Missouri has made a dent--no other Big 12 schools are mentioned. (Missouri is in the running for #3 prospect Dorial Green-Beckham, a WR from Springfield, MO, and has a commitment from #125 Donavin Newsom, a LB from Parkway North in St. Louis.)
Recruiting lists are like preseason polls in college sports, yet they do provide a glimpse into where the power elite resides in college football. Clearly, in the Big 12, a championship run has to go through the state of Texas and those in the middle to back of the pack (Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State) are still hard-pressed to get the talent to compete.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Yellow flags and penalty kicks
- Kansas State, or should I say "K-State", is followineg the lead of its cousin, the University of Kansas, by attempting to consolidate its brand approach to be more consistent. In the 2007-2008 school year, KU underwent a stringent brand identity shift in order to more consistently align the school's visual identity across academics and athletics. The move included standardization of school colors and the use of one common font across all identity opportunities. Even the visual use of "KU" was standardized as was how the Jayhawk would be portrayed and used. KSU is attempting to do the same but with one notable exception--the use of "K-State" as the common moniker. The school feels the recent exposure gained via the more visible basketball program, e.g., the "K-State" used on the front of the jerseys, made the name decision a logical one. KSU also plans to standardize the use of the Powercat logo and PMS 268 purple. While I applaud the desire for consistency, I have a hard time understanding the rationale to use "K" instead of "Kansas"--I wonder if school officials truly have researched the equity in "Kansas State" among more than just the KSU alumni, student and fan base? The brand identity focus is not a new one in the college ranks--prior to Kansas' efforts of five years ago were similar exercises from schools like the University of North Carolina and the University of Oregon.
- I'm just asking--if the U.S. mens soccer team would have suffered a similar meltdown, like the women did Sunday against Japan, in a World Cup final, would they have been given a pass like the womens team is receiving this week? There is a lack of media criticism of how the women lost which I think does beg the question.
- With the NFL lockout seemingly about to end, all eyes will turn to the NBA and their labor situation. Don't look for a full schedule by the professional basketballers, even though the league released a full season schedule yesterday.
- This year's British Open had the lowest ever weekend television ratings.
- The peace in the Big 12 is tenuous at best. There are reports circulating that Texas A&M is threatening to bolt to the SEC should the NCAA allow the University of Texas to broadcast Texas high school football games on the Longhorn Network. The issue for the Aggies, and others in the conference, is the believed recruiting advantage this would create for UT in a state where all 10 Big 12 member institutions seek players. If the NCAA says "okay," then Friday Night Lights would become the real deal--not a television series focused on the fictional town of Dillon, TX.
- Steve Williams says that he lost respect for Tiger Woods as a result of Woods' firing of Williams as his caddie. Hmm--so Williams respected Woods after the recent off-course issues but now doesn't? Right...
- Speaking of firing a caddie, the crew chief of Juan Pablo Montoya has been replaced. Earnhardt Ganassi racing announced that Brian Pattie is being replaced by Jim Pohlman, who has been with the organization since 2006. The timing of the announcement was interesting given that it's right before the Brickyard 400 (July 31), the race which Montoya was leading last year before a caution came out with 21 laps to go. Pattie made the decision to take four tires when teammate and eventual winner Jamie McMurray took two, thus creating friction between crew chief and driver even after Pattie acknowledged that the mistake was his.
- I'm just asking--if the U.S. mens soccer team would have suffered a similar meltdown, like the women did Sunday against Japan, in a World Cup final, would they have been given a pass like the womens team is receiving this week? There is a lack of media criticism of how the women lost which I think does beg the question.
- With the NFL lockout seemingly about to end, all eyes will turn to the NBA and their labor situation. Don't look for a full schedule by the professional basketballers, even though the league released a full season schedule yesterday.
- This year's British Open had the lowest ever weekend television ratings.
- The peace in the Big 12 is tenuous at best. There are reports circulating that Texas A&M is threatening to bolt to the SEC should the NCAA allow the University of Texas to broadcast Texas high school football games on the Longhorn Network. The issue for the Aggies, and others in the conference, is the believed recruiting advantage this would create for UT in a state where all 10 Big 12 member institutions seek players. If the NCAA says "okay," then Friday Night Lights would become the real deal--not a television series focused on the fictional town of Dillon, TX.
- Steve Williams says that he lost respect for Tiger Woods as a result of Woods' firing of Williams as his caddie. Hmm--so Williams respected Woods after the recent off-course issues but now doesn't? Right...
- Speaking of firing a caddie, the crew chief of Juan Pablo Montoya has been replaced. Earnhardt Ganassi racing announced that Brian Pattie is being replaced by Jim Pohlman, who has been with the organization since 2006. The timing of the announcement was interesting given that it's right before the Brickyard 400 (July 31), the race which Montoya was leading last year before a caution came out with 21 laps to go. Pattie made the decision to take four tires when teammate and eventual winner Jamie McMurray took two, thus creating friction between crew chief and driver even after Pattie acknowledged that the mistake was his.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
U.S. women lose more than World Cup
The U.S. Womens World Cup soccer team was warmly welcomed back to U.S. soil yesterday, which was a very fitting tribute after their finals loss to Japan on Sunday. Unfortunately, the team will likely lose more than just the World Cup title as a consequence of their defeat.
After a month of heart-stopping victories and a growing storyline, complemented with the camera-friendliness of stars like Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, the U.S. women likely lost $10 million in endorsements, according to a column today on AdAge.com. Wambach and Solo were the two who stood to gain the most from a World Cup championship with estimates ranging from $3 million-$4 million a year in potential marketing deals. The remaining members of the team would likely have made a collective $2 million per year.
While television rankings for the Womens World Cup paled to competitive TV offerings, the social media world was ablaze with action during the games--the Final had 7,196 tweets per second, according to Twitter, which is a new record for the site.
The good news is that the team built a following which, hopefully, they can capitalize on in 2012 as they chase an Olympic soccer gold medal. You can be sure that Solo and Wambach will be front-and-center for Olympic sponsors' activation activities, as will Alex Morgan, the young star who scored a goal and assisted on another in Sunday's loss to Japan.
After a month of heart-stopping victories and a growing storyline, complemented with the camera-friendliness of stars like Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, the U.S. women likely lost $10 million in endorsements, according to a column today on AdAge.com. Wambach and Solo were the two who stood to gain the most from a World Cup championship with estimates ranging from $3 million-$4 million a year in potential marketing deals. The remaining members of the team would likely have made a collective $2 million per year.
While television rankings for the Womens World Cup paled to competitive TV offerings, the social media world was ablaze with action during the games--the Final had 7,196 tweets per second, according to Twitter, which is a new record for the site.
The good news is that the team built a following which, hopefully, they can capitalize on in 2012 as they chase an Olympic soccer gold medal. You can be sure that Solo and Wambach will be front-and-center for Olympic sponsors' activation activities, as will Alex Morgan, the young star who scored a goal and assisted on another in Sunday's loss to Japan.
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