Last week during my once-every-seven-day semantics I failed to touch on the British Open, nor did I venture to pick a winner. Frankly, without Tiger Woods, the world of golf has become obsolete to the casual fan like myself.
But if golf needed a big story to save itself from obscurity, Greg Norman entered stage left and provided that talking point all weekend. I was even in a department store and heard a couple of customers discussing Norman’s story with the employee during checkout.
Norman, of course, didn’t win. But it wasn’t the normal collapse we’re so used to seeing out of ‘The Shark’. Norman was right there all the way — the elements and an Irishman were just a bit better.
If golf is to survive this Tiger-less era it’s going to need stories of this caliber. I’d be willing to bet that few of us even knew Norman was still playing professional golf, much less being competitive at it.
His appearance like an apparition through the heavy English fog was certainly memorable, whether he was crowned winner or not. The PGA can only hope another such ratings-booster occurs on Aug. 7 when the PGA Championship tees off in Michigan.
After going one up and one down last week: 17-24.
The (Real) AP
Many of our readers will be sore to find out that Alex Pellegrino, Statesboro Herald writer for over five years, is returning to her hometown of Charleston, S.C., to pursue bigger and better things.
Pellegrino, a.k.a. Alex, a.k.a AP, a.k.a. Diva, started out covering small-town preps to big-time college sports and The Masters. Along the way, she has taught both myself and cohort Matt Yogus innumerable lessons.
Agree or disagree with Pellegrino’s work, she has been a journalist in the true sense of the word. Working tirelessly to bring Georgia Southern fans not just who won and lost, but why. Behind the scenes, she’s dealt with more nonsense than a stable-hand who has an over-active horse on his hands.
We know here at the Herald office that she’ll be successful at whatever life deals her. What we don’t know is if “the new guy” will ever be able to live up to her standard.
Da Club
I have a confession for this week, as is often the case on Sunday’s when I sit down to write this. I took my first trip to the Boys and Girls Club this past week. I had driven by plenty of times, but never taken the time to step inside.
What I got when I did venture inside was a sense of community pride. No, I’m not from Statesboro, but I’ve lived in this town give or take seven years. So taking in the sights and sounds of the B&G just plain makes you smile. Kid after kid just hanging out, keeping out of the heat and making something of their summer.
With the time-tested stereotype that kids are always up to no good, the Club disproves that theory — and I was glad I stumbled across that realization.
But if golf needed a big story to save itself from obscurity, Greg Norman entered stage left and provided that talking point all weekend. I was even in a department store and heard a couple of customers discussing Norman’s story with the employee during checkout.
Norman, of course, didn’t win. But it wasn’t the normal collapse we’re so used to seeing out of ‘The Shark’. Norman was right there all the way — the elements and an Irishman were just a bit better.
If golf is to survive this Tiger-less era it’s going to need stories of this caliber. I’d be willing to bet that few of us even knew Norman was still playing professional golf, much less being competitive at it.
His appearance like an apparition through the heavy English fog was certainly memorable, whether he was crowned winner or not. The PGA can only hope another such ratings-booster occurs on Aug. 7 when the PGA Championship tees off in Michigan.
After going one up and one down last week: 17-24.
The (Real) AP
Many of our readers will be sore to find out that Alex Pellegrino, Statesboro Herald writer for over five years, is returning to her hometown of Charleston, S.C., to pursue bigger and better things.
Pellegrino, a.k.a. Alex, a.k.a AP, a.k.a. Diva, started out covering small-town preps to big-time college sports and The Masters. Along the way, she has taught both myself and cohort Matt Yogus innumerable lessons.
Agree or disagree with Pellegrino’s work, she has been a journalist in the true sense of the word. Working tirelessly to bring Georgia Southern fans not just who won and lost, but why. Behind the scenes, she’s dealt with more nonsense than a stable-hand who has an over-active horse on his hands.
We know here at the Herald office that she’ll be successful at whatever life deals her. What we don’t know is if “the new guy” will ever be able to live up to her standard.
Da Club
I have a confession for this week, as is often the case on Sunday’s when I sit down to write this. I took my first trip to the Boys and Girls Club this past week. I had driven by plenty of times, but never taken the time to step inside.
What I got when I did venture inside was a sense of community pride. No, I’m not from Statesboro, but I’ve lived in this town give or take seven years. So taking in the sights and sounds of the B&G just plain makes you smile. Kid after kid just hanging out, keeping out of the heat and making something of their summer.
With the time-tested stereotype that kids are always up to no good, the Club disproves that theory — and I was glad I stumbled across that realization.
