Masters Predictions

It's that time of year again to make my Masters predictions.  This is never easy, especially when Tiger Woods is playing so well.  Tiger already has won three times this year, and it's pretty hard to put your money on someone else.

However, I don't have a problem with it.

Years ago, when Tiger was at Stanford and competing in what was then the PAC 10, he declined to come to my home course at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland, Washington for the PAC 10 Tournament because of a so called injury.

To this day I don't buy that he was hurt.  I think he was scared of our deep rough and hard, fast greens.

I also don't get too excited with the way he treats his fellow competitors, and the media.  In his press conference following his most recent win he was the same old Tiger.  The world's number one player was short, condescending, arrogant, pompous, you name it. The timing and coming out party regarding his relationship with Lindsey Vonn was very calculated.  Expect to see her at the Masters in the gallery and touring the course as part of her rehabilitation.

What a dog and pony show.  You just know the media focus will be solely on him, like nobody else is even playing in the tournament.  What a sad affair, no pun intended.

Enough about the cuddly Tiger, let's get to what really matters.  My sentimental pick is England's Lee Westwood.  He is definitely right up there on the list of players too good to have not won a major.  His game is coming back into shape after a strong performance at the Shell Houston Open.  He had a strong performance at the Masters last year.  His putter is coming to life.  Augusta marks the beginning of spring, the azaleas are in full bloom, and driving down Magnolia Lane seems to be a coming out party for many.

Another favorite of mine comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me, former O'Dea star  Fred Couples.  He's always in the hunt at Augusta and I have a sneaking hunch that this year will be no exception.  "Boom Boom" still hits it as long as anyone, and his high ball flight is perfect for Augusta.  Hopefully his putter shows up too.  As Johnny Miller once said, "When you get into your late 40's and 50's the three footers just stop going in".

Isn't that the truth.

Rory McElroy is coming off a stellar 66 in the final round of the Valero Texas Open, but I don't think his putter is up to par, yet.   But who knows, he made 8 birdies on Sunday.  When I was at the Masters in 2009 he looked like a goofy kid stumbling his way around the course.  Since then he has climbed to number two in the World Golf Rankings.

 One of the more memorable nights of the week is the annual Champions Dinner, where everyone who's won a Green Jacket gathers over a meal chosen by the current Masters Champion.What has Bubba Watson chosen for his menu? "There's gonna be food," he said, tight-lipped. He admitted that it took him "about 30 seconds" to come up with the menu. "I went with what I wanted. I couldn't care less about the other people."

Sounds a lot like Tiger doesn't he?

Regardless of what kind of food there's gonna be,  I can just see Bubba presenting the green jacket to a fellow Taurus of mine from Worksop, England.

Break out the Guinness baby, It's Lee Westwood's time.

I want to be a Hummingbird

Las Sendas Golf Club/18th Tee

I'm sitting here poolside packed and ready to head home after a relaxing few days in the valley of the sun.  The boys of spring are here and warmer temperatures are expected by weeks end.  Unfortunately we will miss most of it.  And wouldn't you know the day we leave it's supposed to be in the 80's.

Oh well.

Yesterday, I had a chance to play Las Sendas Golf Club with a business partner of mine.  It was a picture perfect day for golf, but not a pretty day with rental clubs.  However, I enjoyed the course and some of its panoramic views.

I also learned that I just don't have the passion for golf anymore.  Our passions often change.  It probably comes as no surprise to a few friends of mine, but it hit me like a ton of bricks.

What's great about trips like this is the opportunity to mix business with pleasure, and hopefully come home with enlightened spirit, new ideas, new goals, and new energy.  Sometimes we even learn we want to be something else in our next life.

I think I want to be a hummingbird.  I could buzz people, eat sugar water,  hang by the pool, and leave frustrations, stress, and worries behind.

That beats golf any day.

Boys of Spring

Sunshine!  It's been a long couple days of clouds and chilly weather.  Today is a different day.  Enjoying the morning by the pool and then off the M's-White Sox game at 1:10.

Jeff and I went out to practice this morning.   Up close and personal with the players.  Felix looking good.

What do I eat today at the game?

A.  Bratwurst
B.  Yakisoba noodles
C.  Hot Dog
D.  Beer
E.  All of the above



T. Moore

Spring Training-Day One

Greetings from the valley of the sun!  Temperature 57 degrees, rain off and on.  Who's idea was this anyway?  The girls are going to the Camelback Spa and us boys are still trying to figure out what we are going to do.  We had plans to go to spring training but who wants to sit out in the cold and watch baseball.

Not me.

Jeff had a brilliant idea of maybe going to a movie today, but who in the hell flies to Phoenix to go to a movie?

Not me.

"It's a big city Tom, lots of options.  We could go to the gym and get your workout in, make you a greyhound and get some vitamins in you", said Jeff.

That's me.

It's 2013! Let's get after it!

It's been awhile since I've written anything and I don't have any excuses.  Busy with life I guess.  2012 was a trying year with the loss of my Mom and my Father-In-Law.  Both played huge roles in my life, and I miss them both tremendously.  There's nothing like your first Christmas without your Mom.  I can't explain it.

There are many things that I am thankful for.  The many great clients that continue to show their loyalty and help me learn every day.  Every day is a brand new experience, a chance to evolve as a business and person.  I have always stuck by my mission statement and I will continue to do so.

As we slide into 2013 there are a lot of positive things going on.  The biggest thing I notice is the positive outlook everyone has moving forward.  What more could we ask for?

Today the Seattle Seahawks enter the playoffs with a rookie quarterback.  There's something extremely exciting about that.  As I sit here in Sun River, Oregon--everyone is talking about the Seahawks.  You can hear them on the chair lifts, in the bars, restaurants, and grocery stores.  There's excitement in the air.

It's 2013!  Let's get after it!

Cheers!

Welcome to Fall

I haven't written in awhile, for a number of reasons.  Travel, work, friends, football, golf, activities, work, work.  This thing in life we call work.

We spend so much of our lives working.  It grossly dominates our precious time in so many ways.  It's why it is so important to find something you are passionate about, since we spend so much time doing it.  I often tease my friends that "work is overrated".

In a lot of ways it really is.

As we move into fall I can't help but be a little emotional and sentimental.  The leaves are turning, and so are so many other things.  We meet new friends, new acquaintances, new colleagues, maybe new people that have a huge significance in our lives.  October 9th marks the 3 year anniversary of my Dad's passing, and I also lost my Mom this past March.   I can't help but be touched by events and stories I see on TV, radio, or even a kid's soccer or football game.  It brings back so many memories of my time with my parents.

Those precious times and events are missed dearly.

I read a compelling story this morning about a grandfather's last letter to his grand kids.  It really spelled out what life is all about.  We really need to live each day with passion.  We never know when our number is going to come up.  We don't want to leave God's green earth with regrets, do we?

Last weekend my wife and I had tickets to the Cougar game in Seattle.  Prior to the game we visited with friends at a local watering hole next to the stadium.  One couple was celebrating their 28th anniversary.  They gave away their tickets to a young couple that had their whole lives ahead of them.  Time flies when you are having fun, and what a nice gesture.  We never made it to the game either.  It would be easy to feel bad about not making it to the game, considering the fact I paid $80 a ticket, and the stadium was right across the street.  Even though the Cougars were losing again, we were surrounded by fun friends who were living life to it's fullest, and enjoying each other. 

Who could ask for anything more than that.

Welcome to Fall.

A Gutty Reporter

As a former news person who aspired to be a newscaster I am touched by the passing of Kathi Goertzen.  She was such a professional and even more special as a person.

I grew up watching Kathi in the early 80's when I was preparing myself for my time in front of the cameras.  She was working for KOMO 4 News, a place she hung her hat for a long time.  We all have a station that we are loyal to when it comes to news, and growing up in Western Washington KOMO 4 was my choice.  We choose our favorite stations and news teams out of trust.

Kathi was always there.

Watching Kathi through her struggles is one of the most inspiring things I have ever seen.  She was always so positive. "You can't let an illness define you", she said recently. 

It sure didn't define her.

We need to tip our hats to KOMO for hiring such a wonderful person 30-some years ago.  She was a fixture in Seattle and will be dearly missed.  Open up a textbook on how to handle adversity and Kathi Goertzen's picture will be front and center.

Just like she was for many years in Seattle.