Friday, December 11, 2009
Suh Wins the First Ever jasathletics.blogspot.com College Football MVP Award
This year will be the fourth year that jasathletics has named a college football national champion, and we are proud to announce that in addition to presenting a college football national champion starting this year we will be naming a college football MVP as well. Going into last weekend Toby Gerhart of Stanford and Kellen Moore of Boise State were the frontrunners to win the first ever jasathletics College Football MVP award thanks to the huge numbers that they both have put up this year. That was before the Big 12 championship game though. From start to finish the Nebraska defense dominated the Texas offense. They held them to only 13 points when they had been averaging 40 points per game going into the Big 12 championship. Also, no player on the defense had a bigger influence than Ndamukong Suh, as he had 3.5 sacks and numerous tackles. Never before has a defensive tackle dominated a game like Suh did at the Big 12 championship game. If Nebraska had anything close to resembling a productive offense Nebraska would have won easily, and they still almost won with almost no offense thanks to Suh. Going into that championship game there was no doubt that Suh was one of the best players in college football and a lock to win all of the defensive awards in college football, but when he almost singlehandedly won the Big 12 championship game from the position of defensive tackle that left no doubt that he is the best overall player in college football. So jasathletics is pleased to announce Ndamukong Suh as the 2009-2010 jasathletics.blogspot.com College Football MVP. A lot of players put up some big numbers this year, but dominating games without touching the ball like Suh did this year is even more impressive.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Phil Mickelson Caps Off a Tough Year With a Win at the Tour Championship
After shooting a first round 73, which included a quadruple bogey, it looked as if Phil Mickelson’s struggles were going to continue. I don’t think that anyone could blame him for his struggles on the course though because he has had a tough year off the course with his mom and wife both getting breast cancer. In addition, he has taken considerable time off to be with them. Nevertheless though, Phil came back with solid rounds of 67 and 66 to get himself into contention going into Sunday. As Phil mentioned after his round on Saturday this was the first time he had been in contention going into the final round since the U.S. Open in June. After not putting the greatest for quite a while Phil was able to get the flatstick rolling in the second and third rounds thanks to a tip he received the previous week from two time PGA Champion Dave Stockton. Although he was putting well and playing well in general Phil still had a tough task ahead of him going into Sunday, as he started the day four shots behind Kenny Perry and two shots back of Eldrick “Tiger” Woods. Even though he was a fair way back Phil entered the final round with a lot of confidence, and felt that he would indeed be a factor.
Right from the start Phil proved that he would be a factor in the final round as he continued his solid putting by sinking long birdie putts on the third and fourth holes. This put him near the top of the leaderboard right away as both Woods and Perry came out flat. Phil continued his solid play throughout the final round and ended up carding a first nine score of 31, which is four under par. At this point Phil had the lead on his own and was in command of his game. He started out the back nine with solid pars on the first six holes, and then he chipped in for birdie to ignite the crowd at the sixteenth. At this point it looked like Phil had the tournament all locked up as he was three shots up with two to play. He played the seventeenth well and took the same margin to the eighteenth. Although he came up well short on the par three eighteenth both Phil and his caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay were jovial because they knew that Phil could make bogey and still win. Mickelson did not make bogey though. Once again he came up with a solid up and down to put away the tournament the right way.
In the end, Phil shot a final round 65 to win by three shots over Woods and finish the tournament with a cumulative score of nine under par. Also, as it had been in the second and third round, Phil’s putting was absolutely solid. At one point in the round Phil had 8 one-putts in a row. Now that’s some solid putting. Although Tiger came away with the FedEx Cup, Phil came away with a solid victory in the midst of a very tough season off the course. In addition, the win vaulted Mickelson into a second place finish in the final FedEx Cup standings. Hopefully this win is a sign of things to come next year. I would look for Phil to win at least one major next year, especially if he can putt the way he did this week. Phil will be in action next at the President’s Cup in two week as a member of team USA.
Right from the start Phil proved that he would be a factor in the final round as he continued his solid putting by sinking long birdie putts on the third and fourth holes. This put him near the top of the leaderboard right away as both Woods and Perry came out flat. Phil continued his solid play throughout the final round and ended up carding a first nine score of 31, which is four under par. At this point Phil had the lead on his own and was in command of his game. He started out the back nine with solid pars on the first six holes, and then he chipped in for birdie to ignite the crowd at the sixteenth. At this point it looked like Phil had the tournament all locked up as he was three shots up with two to play. He played the seventeenth well and took the same margin to the eighteenth. Although he came up well short on the par three eighteenth both Phil and his caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay were jovial because they knew that Phil could make bogey and still win. Mickelson did not make bogey though. Once again he came up with a solid up and down to put away the tournament the right way.
In the end, Phil shot a final round 65 to win by three shots over Woods and finish the tournament with a cumulative score of nine under par. Also, as it had been in the second and third round, Phil’s putting was absolutely solid. At one point in the round Phil had 8 one-putts in a row. Now that’s some solid putting. Although Tiger came away with the FedEx Cup, Phil came away with a solid victory in the midst of a very tough season off the course. In addition, the win vaulted Mickelson into a second place finish in the final FedEx Cup standings. Hopefully this win is a sign of things to come next year. I would look for Phil to win at least one major next year, especially if he can putt the way he did this week. Phil will be in action next at the President’s Cup in two week as a member of team USA.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Ultimate Golf Trip in Scotland
I have known for a while now that I would like to play golf in Scotland someday. What I didn’t know was what courses I would play once I got there. It helped me when I found out that on a golf trip to Scotland a person usually has to pick a side - either East or West - and spend the trip on that side. Although Scotland is fairly small, playing on both coasts would require a lot of diving on roads that are not always the greatest, and on a usual golf trip a person would like to spend the most time possible on the links. While watching this year’s Open Championship I finally decided which side of Scotland I would go to, and I also decided what courses I would play while there. My answer may be a surprise - being that St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Muirfield are all on the Eastern shore of Scotland - but I would go to the West for a multitude of reasons and play Royal Troon, Turnberry (Ailsa), Prestwick, and Machrihanish.
When deciding what courses I would like play while in Scotland I knew that I would have to play at least one course that has held the Open Championship, which is the oldest golf championship in the world and is know as the British Open for many people in the United States. Out of the courses on the West coast meeting this criteria Royal Troon came to the forefront, as it is a course that has held the Open Championship many times in the modern era. Not only has it held the Open many times, Phil Mickelson, who many of you know to be my favorite golfer, has played in an Open there. In fact, Mickelson had his best finish ever in an Open Championship at Royal Troon, which was in 2004 when he finished in third one shot out of a playoff between Ernie Els and the eventual champion Todd Hamilton. Also, I have always wanted to play a golf course that has the distinction Royal in its name, and Royal Troon definitely meets that requirement.
Next in the line of great links courses I would like to play while in Western Scotland is the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. I would like to play Turnberry because it has held British Opens, and not just any Opens, but some of the greatest Open Championships ever like Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus’ famous "Dual in the Sun", and this past year Turnberry played host to Tom Watson’s great run at a sixth Claret Jug at the age of 59. Although Watson eventually came up short in a playoff it was still another great Open that was held at Turnberry. In addition to all of the great Opens held at the Ailsa Course it is also the most scenic course in the open Rota, as it is set very close to the Atlantic and right next to an old lighthouse, which is another reason why I would love to play Turnberry.
Although the first two courses that I have mention have held Opens in the modern era I felt that I should play an Open course that held the championship way back when as well, and no course in all of Scotland fits this description better than the West coast’s own Prestwick, which held that first twelve British Opens. I think it would be great to play the course where the Open started, and where Old Tom Morris - one of golf’s founding fathers - won all four of his titles. Also, his son Young Tom Morris won all four of his Opens at Prestwick as well. Besides all of its history, Prestwick is said to be a great and quirky links course that is a solid test of golf. It is no longer in the Open Rota because it just isn’t quite long enough to hold a modern day major golf championship.
Finally I would like to finish off my trip to Scotland by playing a remote course on the Mull of Kintyre called Machrihanish. Unlike the other three courses that I have mentioned Machrihanish never has, and in all likelihood, never will host an Open Championship. That is just fine though because the main reason why I wanted to play the other three courses is because they all had held Open Championships, but the main reason why I would like to play Machrihanish is precisely because it hasn’t held an Open. The fact that it has not held an Open means that is just pure links golf that hasn’t been adjusted to cater to a rich overseas crowd that is looking for a golf course that is soft, green, and in perfect condition. It is just a great course that is one of the purest tests in all of links golf. At Machrihanish a person doesn’t have to worry about the course being too busy because its remote location means that even on the best of days every hole will not have a group on it. In addition, Machrihanish probably has the best opening tee shot in all of links golf as you have to hit it over the Atlantic Ocean to reach the fairway.
Overall the West coast has everything a person could want in a golf trip to Scotland. It has courses that have held the Open Championship in the modern era. It has courses that have held the Open back in its early days. Finally, it has courses that are just great links golf courses that are often overlooked by travelers from overseas. Although there are other great courses on the West side the four that I mentioned are the main ones that I would like to play if I ever get the chance to play golf in Scotland. Although the East seems like the better and more famous side of Scotland for golf upon further examination the West is just as good, and quite possibly better when it come to history, scenery, and just plain solid links golf courses.
When deciding what courses I would like play while in Scotland I knew that I would have to play at least one course that has held the Open Championship, which is the oldest golf championship in the world and is know as the British Open for many people in the United States. Out of the courses on the West coast meeting this criteria Royal Troon came to the forefront, as it is a course that has held the Open Championship many times in the modern era. Not only has it held the Open many times, Phil Mickelson, who many of you know to be my favorite golfer, has played in an Open there. In fact, Mickelson had his best finish ever in an Open Championship at Royal Troon, which was in 2004 when he finished in third one shot out of a playoff between Ernie Els and the eventual champion Todd Hamilton. Also, I have always wanted to play a golf course that has the distinction Royal in its name, and Royal Troon definitely meets that requirement.
Next in the line of great links courses I would like to play while in Western Scotland is the Ailsa Course at Turnberry. I would like to play Turnberry because it has held British Opens, and not just any Opens, but some of the greatest Open Championships ever like Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus’ famous "Dual in the Sun", and this past year Turnberry played host to Tom Watson’s great run at a sixth Claret Jug at the age of 59. Although Watson eventually came up short in a playoff it was still another great Open that was held at Turnberry. In addition to all of the great Opens held at the Ailsa Course it is also the most scenic course in the open Rota, as it is set very close to the Atlantic and right next to an old lighthouse, which is another reason why I would love to play Turnberry.
Although the first two courses that I have mention have held Opens in the modern era I felt that I should play an Open course that held the championship way back when as well, and no course in all of Scotland fits this description better than the West coast’s own Prestwick, which held that first twelve British Opens. I think it would be great to play the course where the Open started, and where Old Tom Morris - one of golf’s founding fathers - won all four of his titles. Also, his son Young Tom Morris won all four of his Opens at Prestwick as well. Besides all of its history, Prestwick is said to be a great and quirky links course that is a solid test of golf. It is no longer in the Open Rota because it just isn’t quite long enough to hold a modern day major golf championship.
Finally I would like to finish off my trip to Scotland by playing a remote course on the Mull of Kintyre called Machrihanish. Unlike the other three courses that I have mentioned Machrihanish never has, and in all likelihood, never will host an Open Championship. That is just fine though because the main reason why I wanted to play the other three courses is because they all had held Open Championships, but the main reason why I would like to play Machrihanish is precisely because it hasn’t held an Open. The fact that it has not held an Open means that is just pure links golf that hasn’t been adjusted to cater to a rich overseas crowd that is looking for a golf course that is soft, green, and in perfect condition. It is just a great course that is one of the purest tests in all of links golf. At Machrihanish a person doesn’t have to worry about the course being too busy because its remote location means that even on the best of days every hole will not have a group on it. In addition, Machrihanish probably has the best opening tee shot in all of links golf as you have to hit it over the Atlantic Ocean to reach the fairway.
Overall the West coast has everything a person could want in a golf trip to Scotland. It has courses that have held the Open Championship in the modern era. It has courses that have held the Open back in its early days. Finally, it has courses that are just great links golf courses that are often overlooked by travelers from overseas. Although there are other great courses on the West side the four that I mentioned are the main ones that I would like to play if I ever get the chance to play golf in Scotland. Although the East seems like the better and more famous side of Scotland for golf upon further examination the West is just as good, and quite possibly better when it come to history, scenery, and just plain solid links golf courses.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mickelson Secures Big Win at Doral
Phil Mickelson started his Sunday at the WGC-CA Championship tied for the lead with Nick Watney and four shots clear of the rest of the field. Having never won a World Golf Championships event or an event at the famed Doral this was poised to be a big day for Phil. Also, with a win he would move closer than ever before to the No. 1 ranking in the world. Mickelson started his day off strong with some solid birdies, but Watney played well and hung with him through the first eight holes. Then Watney missed the 9th green badly and it look as if Phil was going to take a stout three shot lead to the back nine. This is when Watney holed an unbelievable pitch shot from the behind the green for birdie and cut the lead to just one going into the back nine. Then on the par five tenth both men hit the green in two, but Watney put it close and made eagle to tie things up as Mickelson made a birdie. Phil had played some solid golf all week, but he was going to need a solid finish to hold on for the win. Over the next few holes both of them made a lot of pars and the occasional bogey. Most notably both Mickelson and Watney made a mess of the par five 12th. Phil came to the 18th tee with a one shot lead though, and bombed his drive down the middle. Once again though Watney matched. Both of them then proceeded to barely miss the green. All the pressure was on Watney now as he needed to hole a 35 foot putt from just off the green to force a playoff. He hit a great putt, but it came up just short. Phil then went on to two putt from the fringe to secure his 36th career PGA Tour victory and his first WGC event. After making a solid par with the tournament on the line on the toughest hole on the PGA Tour Phil showed that he can get it done with the pressure on. With this win Phil did move to No. 2 in the world and is the closest he has ever been to being No. 1. I would look for Mickelson to win one of the first two majors of the year because his game is solid right now (especially his short game), and he has a lot of momentum as he has already won twice this year. Also, Phil already has two Green Jackets, and he got second at the 2002 United States Open, which was played at this year's venue Bethpage Black.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tubby Smith has Rejuvenated Minnesota Basketball
Right away when Minnesota landed Tubby Smith as its head basketball coach about two years ago the expectations for Minnesota basketball immediately went way up. Two years later I feel that Tubby has definitely lived up to the large expectations. He has brought the Golden Gophers to national prominence by getting them back in the top 25 rankings for the first time in a while. Sure they played a weak non-conference schedule, but you can’t look past their big wins against nationally ranked Louisville and an always tough Wisconsin, especially at the Kohl Center.
Their season hasn’t been without troubles though, as they lost badly to Michigan State, and they had a tough loss at Northwestern. A person has to remember though that anything can happen on any given night in a league as even from top to bottom as the Big Ten. This was seen when even the top team in the Big Ten Michigan State lost to Northwestern at home the other night.
In addition to being a great basketball coach I feel that Tubby Smith is a great guy, and I am proud to call him a friend, or at least an acquaintance. This is because in the summer of 2007 I had the privilege of having a short conversation with him while at the Tubby Smith Basketball Camp. I thought it was nice that he took time out to talk with a friend and me even though we did not possess the skills to play at the division I level. Overall I feel that he is one of the good guys in the college basketball coaching profession, and I like that he has always played by the rules, especially when so many coaches these days are not. I think that is even more impressive than his national championship win.
Even though the season is early still and the Minnesota basketball team still has much to prove I feel that Tubby Smith has the basketball program moving in the right direction. I think that they are in a great position to make the NCAA Tournament, and finish their season well. Hopefully the Minnesota basketball program will be a fixture on the national stage for many years to come.
Their season hasn’t been without troubles though, as they lost badly to Michigan State, and they had a tough loss at Northwestern. A person has to remember though that anything can happen on any given night in a league as even from top to bottom as the Big Ten. This was seen when even the top team in the Big Ten Michigan State lost to Northwestern at home the other night.
In addition to being a great basketball coach I feel that Tubby Smith is a great guy, and I am proud to call him a friend, or at least an acquaintance. This is because in the summer of 2007 I had the privilege of having a short conversation with him while at the Tubby Smith Basketball Camp. I thought it was nice that he took time out to talk with a friend and me even though we did not possess the skills to play at the division I level. Overall I feel that he is one of the good guys in the college basketball coaching profession, and I like that he has always played by the rules, especially when so many coaches these days are not. I think that is even more impressive than his national championship win.
Even though the season is early still and the Minnesota basketball team still has much to prove I feel that Tubby Smith has the basketball program moving in the right direction. I think that they are in a great position to make the NCAA Tournament, and finish their season well. Hopefully the Minnesota basketball program will be a fixture on the national stage for many years to come.
Friday, January 9, 2009
#1 Utah dominates Alabama to win the 2008-2009 jasathletics.blogspot.com College Football National Championship
Coming into the bowl season Utah was definitely the number one team in the nation, and they were in the driver’s seat to win the jasathletics.blogspot.com College Football National Championship. This is because they were the only undefeated team playing in a BCS bowl game, and jasathletics.blogspot.com awards the team with the best record and a BCS bowl win with the national championship. Although many people doubted that they would actually beat Alabama and win in it all, in the end that is what happened. So jasathletics.blogspot.com is proud to name Utah as its 2008-2009 college football national champion. This marks the second time that a non-BCS conference team has won the championship. To this point no BCS national champion has won the jasathletics.blogspot.com crown, and the only BCS conference team to win was Kansas last year. In other news Florida won their bowl game last night to claim fourth in the final rankings.
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