Summer in the Tri-Cities

The feel of summer is creeping away. The Water Follies and Tri-Cities Boat Race Weekend is the trademark of summer here. It's usually the hottest weekend of the year. But shortly after, that summer 'feel' tends to slip away. The winds pick up, much cooler nights, and that awful feeling that winter is just around the corner. I've learned the older I get, the faster time goes, and this summer was no exception. Our recent camping and boating trip to Clarkston and the Snake River was the best possible way to end another great Tri-Cities summer. While we were able to escape the 108 degree day in the Tri-Cities, we found a much cooler spot at Chief Timothy Park in Clarkston with a cool 106. We thought about making t-shirts that read, "We survived Chief Timothy." Today, I woke up to a slight drizzle and cool temperatures. "We might hit 80 degrees today", said the weathercaster on KNDU TV. What a bummer.

Another ho-hum Tri-Cities summer.

I Remember

I remember when he chipped in to beat Jack Nicklaus in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. I remember when he made just about everything he looked at in his younger years. I remember he always made the six footer coming back after a rare miss. I remember one of the best tips I ever received from anyone was when he said in Golf Magazine to put the ball a little farther forward in your stance with long irons. I remember like it was yesterday but unfortunately it wasn't. I was pounding golf balls at Sahalee dreaming of being the next Tom Watson. That was 35 years ago. I thought he was in his prime back then but maybe I need to re-visit it. But what I will most remember is the four days of stellar golf in the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry.

I remember.

The Alaska Experience

This world is a lot larger than I thought it was. Thank you Alaska for helping me realize it. This is arguably one of the most picturesque places anywhere. As we descended into Juneau and Gustavus for a once in a lifetime fishing experience, I saw the beauty I've been hearing about for a long time. A short time after we checked into the Glacier Bay Country Inn, we saw a Moose in the man made grass runway just outside the dining room of this cozy lodge. Two days later a brown grizzly bear was playing in the same area. This is Alaska. You can't mention Alaska without talking about the sport fishing. For those who think whales are close to extinct, think again. For those who think bald eagles are an endangered species, think again as well. Let's not even go into the salmon thing. We limited in kings our first day and they were stacked up like a cord of wood. A sea lion ate one of them as I was reeling him in just 30 yards from the boat. This is a normal occurrence in Alaska. The very next day a sea lion tried to steal one of our halibuts but we were able to scare him off enough to save our prey. The wildlife is in abundance with whales, sea lions, seals, otters, bald eagles, and every kind of bird imaginable. We ate like champions and were treated like royalty. We also flew home feeling like heroes in the fishing world.

This is Alaska.

A Birthday Month To Remember

First it was the Masters. Then, a trip to Edgefield for a little bit of everything; beer, wine, music, food, par-3 golf, and most importantly, friends. When we've had enough of that we are headed to Livermore, California for more golf, wine, food, entertainment, and of course, friends. It's all part of turning 50. The big 5-0.

Sounds like a birthday to remember. It ain't so bad.

Jim Sterk Needs To Go

My wife is not happy. That doesn't bode too well for any of us when that happens. No more Apple Cups in Pullman. I would not want to be WSU Athletic Director Jim Sterk when he comes face to face with her. It's not gonna be pretty. In another stupid move, the future Apple Cups will now be played at Quest Field in Seattle, the home of the Seahawks. Not far from Montlake. What a nice move Jim. So much for the renovation of Martin Stadium. What a nice way to show loyalty to the hard working business owners in Pullman who rely on this weekend. For some, it makes their year. It never ceases to amaze me with all the constant stupid moves this guy makes. I used to work on the committee that helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Cougar Athletic Department. The Cougar Golf Classic used to be a great event until Jim Sterk showed up. The likes of Mike Price, Joe "the toe" Danello, Mark Rypien, Tim Rosenbach, Clint Didier, Pat Beach and Rueben Mayes used to make their way to Meadow Springs Country Club for the annual event. It was a reunion of former NFL greats, high profile Cougars. Sterk didn't feel he needed us anymore. He thought the school could do a better job. They sure have done a better job. Last year, the most high profile celebrity at the Cougar Golf Classic was one Paul Wulff. The same guy who was hired by Jim Sterk.

What more can I say.

CBS Blasted for Masters Coverage

CBS should be ashamed because I am. You would think Tiger and Phil were the only players on the golf course. Angel Cabrera, Kenny Perry, and Chad Campbell were just out for a Sunday stroll on an Easter Sunday at the 73rd Masters. It was like the leaders didn't even exist. How many times did you hear, "just a minute ago", "while we were away", or "here's a replay of Perry's putt on 9"? We saw very few live shots of the leaders because CBS was too busy following Mickelson and Woods. The media is so hung up on someone challenging Tiger that they forget that there are other players making a name for themselves, and then when success follows these so-called no names, they don't know what to do. I was relieved when Tiger and Phil holed out their final putts on 18 because then we could watch the leaders, and not on tape. Of course we had to wait for the interviews of both Mickelson and Woods before we could go back to live action again. "While we were watching Tiger and Phil, Angel Cabrera won the Masters in a playoff over Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell".

CBS, the most taped network. Has a nice ring to it.

An Angel on Easter

Richland, WA.

It's great to be home. I'm back in my comfort zone for the final round of the 73rd Masters, the couch. The big question on everyone's mind is who will it be? Who has the nerves to withstand the pressure that goes with being in position to win a green jacket. Will it be 48-year old Kenny Perry, who has been close to flawless thus far in his quest for his first green jacket. Or, will it be an Easter Sunday to remember for 2007 US Open Champion Angel Cabrera. Traditionally, the winner usually comes out of the final two-some which includes both of these guys. You know the producers for CBS Sports will be focusing on the pairing of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, both at four under and in need of a low number to post early, hopefully putting pressure on the leaders coming in. You kind of get the sense that this tournament is being set up for something special on this Easter Sunday. Will someone come out of the pack and shoot a blistering 29 on the back nine on Sunday? Or, will the leaders plod along and make it too difficult for the earlier groups to make up such a wide margin.
As I walked the grounds of the entire golf course on Tuesday, I tried to get some pictures of players I thought would be there in the thick of things come Sunday. I did the same thing at the 1998 PGA at Sahalee, the course I grew up on. Angel Cabrera is going to be tough to beat. So is Jim Furyk. Yes, it's Sunday at the Masters and I'm making predictions, and back in my comfort zone.