Commission Confession

Keifer Sykes Tears The Rim Down | NBA Summer League 2015 | LaBron James ...

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 03:15:00 +0000

Jordan Williams #8 WR Junior Highlights Ball State Football

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:40:00 +0000

Laquon Treadwell "No Answer" Paert 2 | Ole Miss vs Alabama | Laquon Bloc...

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 08:13:00 +0000

Crete Monee | The Journey | Re-Mix 2012-2013 Final

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:04:00 +0000

The final Mix-Tape of the entire Championship Season 2012

The Most Important Relationship in Youth Sports “A Coach’s Perspective”

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 04:24:00 +0000

The Most Important Relationship in Youth Sports
“A Coach’s Perspective”

In order to understand the dynamics of any healthy relationship, there has to be an element of experience or street credibility. Each participant in the relationship has to be able to relate to the other. Each participant has to also have the luxury of knowing the causes of successful relationships. Relationships that strive for excellence to attempt to achieve common goals and have similar interests are successful. It is also equally helpful to experience relationships that are problematic in order to develop strategies that work when trying to arrive at resolutions. Facilitating a healthy long lasting relationship is hard to do without educating each participant about one another. When we are educated about each other then we are able to create, sustain and deliver a positive coach to parent to player relationship for the common goals of those parties. We must start with finding out what we do not know by engaging in constant communication with each other on a consistent controlled basis. In youth sports (K-12, ages 5-17) some may say that the most important relationship is between the coach and the player. I submit to you that In order to be the best youth coach you can be, learning more about the player from the parent is very important if not the most important interaction of all. Positive dialog must be developed between the parents and the youth coach. An understanding of who the coach is and who the player is and who the parents are between all parties will allow for a smooth transaction of dialog in good times and not so good times. All three parties will not agree on all decisions made during their time together but at least there will be an understanding of the common goal. The common goal is for the youth to be the best that they can be, in the classroom, in the home and in the community. Winning is not everything.
What are some common issues at the youth and high school levels, K-12?
Coaches:
- First time coaches not qualified to teach the sport they are involved in
o In anything we do we must get some kind of education in order to perform. When we first begin a new job, there is a training program that is mandatory for new employees. Then after mastering your profession in order to stay on top of the latest innovations there is continuing education. Why is coaching any different? As a first time coach it is very important that you take the time to educate yourself on the techniques of coaching in general and in the specific activity that you are trying to coach. All to often we see a coach who used to play a sport years ago and now wants to coach that sport. Although personal playing experience brings credibility it does not mean that the style of coaching or understanding of how to coach will be effective. So it makes sense to get some education surrounding the sport that you will be coaching.

- Inability to communicate philosophy effectively
o Being able to communicate your philosophy is the key to garnering an understanding from the parents and student-athletes about what you are attempting to achieve. The best way to deliver your message is to write it down and demonstrate the philosophy by utilizing multiple coaching opportunities as often as you can, “In the moment coaching”, around your philosophy.
- Inflexible attitude and unwillingness to embrace change
o A good coach has an open mind and is willing to discuss changes in philosophy, coaching style, and preparation. Methods that worked years ago may prove to be futile when dealing with certain student-athletes, parents or even coaching staff
- Disorganization
o The best coaches are organized. Their players know what to expect in practice, games, film sessions, and off the field. They have a game plan, practice plan, outside events schedule written down. It is a flexible plan that can change as needed but parents and student-athletes know what to expect for the most part.
- Coaching for the wrong reasons
o It is not all about winning. Coaches who believe this on the youth level must change. This kind of thinking leads to a destructive relationship between all parties involved. It is not about the coach and his or her record. As a coach it should be about the development of your players. If the focus is job advancement only, at the high school level then the communication must be first and foremost. When we make it about ourselves then we lose sight of why we are here.
Parents/Guardians:
- Unrealistic expectations and outside training
- We have to address the problem we experience with identifying realistic expectations of parents, student athletes and coaches. Sometimes we believe our kids will automatically get an athletic scholarship by just playing the sport that they love. Back in the days before AAU and You Tube earning a scholarship was something that was never really the reason for playing the game. You basically played all three sports Football Basketball and Baseball. I am speaking strictly from my experience as a young student athlete. My brothers and I just played whatever the season was. Even in High School we played three sports. We never even talked about getting a D-1 scholarship. It just happened because we played hard and were lucky enough to be blessed with some talent and were discovered because of our performance. But if you look at the statistics there is only a .7% chance of a men’s basketball scholarship and a 1.4% chance of a football scholarship. Times have changed and it is rare that just playing high school ball will get you the exposure and training you need to earn a scholarship. Coaches have a job to do in theis area. We need to recognize talented kids and help those parents access outside training for their kids. We also need to be honest in evaluating talent level for the parents. It could save thousands of dollars that a family might be putting to better use in other areas for their student athlete. The parents and coaches should talk about the best camps for the kids if they truly believe that there is potential for earning a scholarship before they waste thousands of dollars.
- Lack of understanding pertaining to the sport the child is participating in
o Coaches that have useful knowledge of the sport they are coaching must relay that knowledge to the parent. Spending time educating parents about the intangibles of the sport that you teach is a great skill to have. Ounce a parent knows that most running backs cannot gain many yards without the blocking of an offensive line then that parent will move away from the thoughts surrounding play calling.
- Inadequate participation and home coaching
o As mentioned above, and educated parent can be an asset. An uneducated parent can be a liability. It ids the coaches job to stay in contact and educate those parents who need to get on board with the philosophy around the team. Parents should realize that when they go home and talk about the coaching staff as if they are incompetent, it makes coaching their child difficult.
- Unable to communicate concerns
o The dialogue for communicating concerns must be open. I have heard of coaches saying we can talk about anything but playing time, play calling, and philosophy. Well what else is there to talk about? Coaches have this responsibility as well. You must be approachable. Parents believe that if they come to a coach and voice concerns they will be hurting the chances of their child to get more playing time. That should never be the case. As long as the student athlete is 17 years old or under the parent has every right to question a coach. The coach should not be in charge if that coach is running a dictatorship type of program. Leading, cultivating a great environment, building character should be the coaches focus. If a parent has a concern it should be heard. This helps prevent the athlete from believing that the coach has more control over his or her life than the childs own parents. This leads to abuse, in my opinion, mental or physical. It also promotes insecurity amongst our youth and abandonment, hopelessness and dispair. If a coach does not allow this dialogue we as parents should recognize it, and report it.

- Finding a program that fits your family
o There are too many programs that provide services and none of them are perfect. The organization with the most communication is a start. Most too many parents get kids involved in programs just because of the name recognition. So at all costs they put their kid in the program, spend their money and get nothing out of it. Be direct with the coaches, tell them what you want and open up to them about your student athlete. This is on the parent. Again the least amount of communication you get from these programs is a sign of an unorganized program or one where they are handpicking participants.
Student-Athletes/Parents:
- Embracing the importance of practice and outside training
o AAU! Personal trainer! I remember the days when you just went out and played from sun up to sun down. That was your AAU tournament. Student Athletes are so ready to jump onto an AAU team and that is all they have to do to get noticed. Let’s be frank about these so called super teams that will automatically get them noticed. The truth about AAU is that there is no defense being played and it sets you up for failure if you don’t take it for what it is worth. It is a glorified pick up game. That is all it is. AAU tournaments are painful to watch. I mean painful. The talented teams have all the good players and they run through all of the other teams. They get sponsored by big businesses and play bad basketball that is highlighted by and 1 moves, dunks and Harlem Globetrotter like dribbling and passing. It is a joke but it is necessary to keep playing and perfecting your craft. Because of that fact, Amateur Athletics are an essential part of today’s extra practice and outside training. Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Baseball, even cheerleading, all have travel teams. These organizations are useful if you know what you want to get out of them. The number 1 rule is to make sure that your AAU team of choice frequently participates in the right tournaments. AAU is all about being seen, if you are in tournaments where there are no college scouts then you are wasting your time and money. The second rule is to tell the AAU coach what you want to work on and the parents need to let the coach know what they expect out of the program. Thirdly you should demand full disclosure as to where the money is being spent. If you spend money to play then you should play and you should know which tournaments you are going to and what benefit that tournament will bring to you and your exposure if you decide to attend. Do not expect an AAU coach to teach you your sport. They expect you to get better before you arrive and then they want your money on top of that. Football combines will not get you better, or even give you the exposure you desire. These combines basically teach you how to do drills. So as long as you know what to expect combines are great for resume stuffing material and very useful when it comes to documenting your vertical leap or your 40 time.
- How to express concerns to a coach
o This is a bad dilemma for a student athlete. If you don’t like how your coach is treating you, how do you express your feelings? How do you express your disappointment as a parent to a coach. Here is the golden rule. Let the coach know up front thatyou will be requiring a weekly meeting. This will force the coach to be in communication with you and your parents. All too often we get dissatisfied with what the coach is doing and are afraid to say something because we believe it may diminish the opportunity for playing time. If that is what is happening then that program is not for you. Communication with the coach is mandatory.
- Recognition of inappropriate behavior
o When you see it say it!!! Do not wait. If any inappropriate behavior is witnessed, then tell it. If there are ridiculous requests being made of you or your child then question it. Speak up and speak out against stuff that is just crazy. Here is an example: “Your son is going to do a Saturday detention with me at 8:00 PM because I heard he was rude to a teacher in school”. This is just dumb, what parent would say “Ok coach he will be there”. This is inappropriate. Another example would be “We have an open gym at 06:00 am just me and your child”. Please, inappropriate! Coaches keep your hands to yourself! There should be much more on this subject but nothing is worth taking a young man or woman’s innocence. If you see it tell it!!!
These issues are somewhat universal and can be related to almost any extracurricular activity that requires coaches, parents/guardians and student-athletes involvement. Coaches to provide instruction, parents who seek to get their kids involved in these activities and of course the student-athlete must stay in communication. Parents must be involved in the conversation with the coach. Know who they are and what they will be teaching your child and stay involved. Go to games, practices, meetings, and never take your eye off the ultimate goal, getting that all mighty education.

If you think you are going to get an athletic scholarship here are some staggering statistics below:

Baseball
UIL participants
41,726
National participants
478,029
Number of college scholarships
2,956.1
Pct. earning scholarships
.6%
Boys basketball
UIL participants
75,248
National participants
552,935
Number of college scholarships
4,046.7
Pct. earning scholarships
.7%
Girls basketball
UIL participants
71,218
National participants
449,450
Number of college scholarships
4,329
Pct. earning scholarships
.9%
Boys cross country/track and field
UIL participants
29,112
National participants
548,821
Number of college scholarships
2,481.7
Pct. earning scholarships
.5%
Girls cross country/track and field
UIL participants
29,096
National participants
447,520
Number of college scholarships
4,030
Pct. earning scholarships
.9%
Football
UIL participants
160,893
National participants
1,108,286
Number of college scholarships
15,997.2
Pct. earning scholarships
1.4%
Boys Golf
UIL participants
12,386
National participants
159,958
Number of college scholarships
999.1
Pct. earning scholarships
.6%
Girls Golf
UIL participants
7,643
National participants
69,243
Number of college scholarships
1,076.4
Pct. earning scholarships
1.6%
Boys Soccer
UIL participants
27,439
National participants
383,561
Number of college scholarships
1,683
Pct. earning scholarships
.4%
Girls Soccer
UIL participants
22,106
National participants
346,545
Number of college scholarships
3,591.9
Pct. earning scholarships
1%
Softball
UIL participants
31,077
National participants
371,293
Number of college scholarships
2,774.4
Pct. earning scholarships
.7%
Boys swimming and diving
UIL participants
6,805
National participants
111,896
College scholarships
891
Pct. earning scholarships
.8
Girls swimming and diving
UIL participants
6,679
National participants
147,197
Number of college scholarships
1,766.4
Pct. earning scholarships
1.2%
Boys tennis
UIL participants
19,217
National participants
156,285
Number of college scholarships
925.6
Pct. earning scholarships
.6%
Girls tennis
UIL participants
18,873
National participants
172,455
Number of college scholarships
1,848
Pct. earning scholarships
1.1%
Volleyball
UIL participants
38,367
National participants
397,968
Number of college scholarships
3,318
Pct. earning scholarships
.8%
Boys wrestling
UIL participants
7,783
National participants
259,688
Number of college scholarships
696
Pct. earning scholarships
.3%

Jays Blog "A Look at CHITOWN The Movie"

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:49:00 +0000

http://www.wyideopensports.com/wyideopensports.com/Jays_Blog/Entries/2012/4/10_A_Look_at_CHITOWN_The_Movie.html">

Welcome To Circle Y Ranch

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Welcome To Circle Y Ranch

Wyideopen Sports Sports And Athletics News | iHigh.com - The High School Internet Network

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:58:00 +0000

Wyideopen Sports Sports And Athletics News | iHigh.com - The High School Internet Network

GGW Gets Blown Away: by Nate Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:45:00 +0000

GGW Blown Away At Deer Creek
2011 GGW Event No. 2

Golf is a difficult game to play even in perfect conditions. GGW Tour Events have been played in Brutal Cold, Torrential Rain and Oppressive Heat. You Golfers Gone Wild have played in all types of weather and not one of you has ever been known to make excuses.

However, the 20-40 mile wind gusts this past Sunday, April 10 at Deer Creek Golf Club in University Park, made playing golf rather unfair. Crosswinds moved some balls 100 feet across the fairways. Players were forced to hit into the teeth of blustery breezes. Several shots wound up severely short or blew completely off target. Fact of the matter, GGW was almost Blown Away at Deer Creek.

Ask any golfer what is the worst golf hazard to deal with. Ahead of water, sand bunkers, thick rough, hot or cold weather, you will get gusty Wind. Wind affects the aerodynamics of the golf ball, swing thoughts, and club selection on every shot. Unlike water and sand and trees and rough, Wind is not a stationary hazard and Wind Gusts are not even a consistent hazard.

Scores reflected a tough day to golf. No player shot under net par. Collectively we managed to record only 13% of holes at par or better with a single birdie hole among us. Still somebody had to win the second GGW Event of the 2011 season. That somebody was Quick Draw. Perry used his formidable cut shot into the wind and outstanding play from sand traps to record a net 76. This was Quick Draw’s first victory this year and ninth of his career on tour with the GGW.

Silent Assassin came in second a mere 0.3 of a net stroke behind. Playing in the final group and finishing under threatening skies, Silent Assassin found his target enough to post an outstanding 48 on the back nine. TaylorMade Kid continued his outstanding early season play with a 91 net 77; including 5 pars and the 1 birdie. Also finishing in the money were Rifleman (net 79) and Way Cool (net 80). Both looked GQ, Super Fly, like sponsored professional golfers; at least from the first tee.

Of special note was the low round of the day turned in by Steady Eddie (88). Mixson showed remarkable ability to hold his draw shot in wind and hit greens in regulation. Once his putting woes were steadied, Eddie went on to win 11 skins. When he gets his official GGW handicap, Steady Eddie could be in the mix for several awards. Country Strong and TaylorMade Kid each won 3 skins. Quick Draw won 1.

Given the extreme windy conditions, the remainder of the field would normally be excused. But, Lucky Lefty (net 82), Cadillac Blue (net 88), Kappatain Styles (net 89), Double D (net 90) and Grade A (net 92); all really had no excuse for piss poor play; as they posted scores that were completely blown away.

GGW did record match play results for five of eight week No. 2 matches.

Lucky Lefty won both handicap and scratch matches from Kappatain Styles.
Cadillac Blue won both handicap and scratch matches from Grade A.
Silent Assassin won both handicap and scratch matches over Rifleman.
Way Cool split with Country Strong, winning net and losing scratch.
Quick Draw split with Steady Eddie, winning net and losing scratch.

Actually, Quick Draw’s net 76 is the highest recorded winning net score in GGW history. Previous winning high nets were recorded at much tougher courses like Lost Marsh and Balmoral Woods. We should not have generated this many big numbers even at a gusty Deer Creek. “It was Too Windy”; a marginal excuse at best. If GGW lets you go with that this week. What will it be next weekend...…Too Cloudy?

Opening Day – TaylorMade Kid on First Honor Roll

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Opening Day – TaylorMade Kid on First Honor Roll

2011 GGW Event No. 1

Opening Day is so exciting. GGW didn’t care about the weather, course conditions, or cost. It was time to get this season started. See which of us have improved, find out who among us is better, and determine what players will earn 2011 Year End Honors.

On Saturday, April 2, twelve members of Golfers Gone Wild took to a familiar course, to play a traditional season opening round at University Golf Club and Conference Center in University Park. April in Chicago is always unpredictable. The Cubs opening day featured wind and rain. They had to clear snow before the White Sox took the field. We all surely wished for the 80+ degree days in Arizona and Florida. But if the GGW Scheduler says play, we play.

For the GGW, if waiting for the winter golf trip like a little kid waiting for Christmas, Opening Day is more like the first day of school. You remember the first day of school. Every year, even in cold weather, you dress to look your best. You try to remember any of your lessons from last year. But you hope you won’t be called on to execute a tough shot until you get back in the swing of things.

However, there are always those overachieving students. Kids, who go to summer school, study every day and on practice on weekends. Kids, who are ready to answer any questions about their game, and raise the curve for the rest of us. For the GGW, leading these overachievers was the TaylorMade Kid.

Charles Taylor picked up where he left on in Florida, with an impressive 82 (net 67) to win the 1st GGW Event of this our 5th season as a Tour. TaylorMade Kid turned long drives and clutch putts into 8 pars and 1 birdie on #18, to lead in almost every statistical category. If Taylor continues to make Honor Roll for the remainder of the spring, the rest of the GGW might be playing for second chair by July.

Also with High Honors was Bigg Dogg, the defending 2010 Player of the Year. Bigg Dogg prevented a complete opening day sweep by shooting an 86 (net 69). Lonnie also had 8 pars and led all players with 8 skins. He did not appear to have forgotten any lessons, and may prove a tough out in 2011.

Way Cool ‘s score indicates he should be in Advanced Placement, shooting a net 69 and finishing third. This was curiously well ahead of his scores from last year with a 3 under par net. Way Cool, who upon direct examination stated, “he had not touched a golf club since October”, still carded a stellar 93; The administration has no proof, but we hope Way Cool eventually comes clean about how he spent his winter vacation.

A few other students earned passing grades. Rifleman, always any Teacher’s Pet, shot 99 (net par 72). Professor Martin Hall would be proud. Country Strong, hoping to recover from almost being left back last year, shot a neat 94 (net 73), had birdie on #2 and won two skins. Cadillac Blue, who does just enough work to get by, shot a pedestrian 97 (net 74). Quick Draw also played like a confirmed C student, carded 95 (net 75). And for now we will give the newcomer in class, Steady Eddie a pat on the back for his 91, birdie on #5 and three skins.

Then we get to those GGW kids who may need to ride to school on the short bus.

Former Players of the Year, Silent Assassin (100) and Lucky Lefty (103 net 86), have got to get their acts together and stop hanging with the wrong crowd. Do they want a future in golf course maintenance? Wendell Mays (102) demonstrated need for some remediation. And Kappatain Styles turned in totally unsatisfactory work (105 net 86). If he continues on this path, he may have to change his GGW major from Golf Science to something easier like, Music & Video Arts.

Next weekend, Golfers Gone Wild Tour will travel for further education at Deer Creek Golf Course in University Park, Illinois. It is a long season and the first day is always overly exaggerated. Still, try harder and don’t fall too far behind the other ultra-competitive players in the GGW Class of 2011.

Pop Quiz with Greg Mays, Crete-Monee basketball - The SouthtownStar

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Pop Quiz with Greg Mays, Crete-Monee basketball - The SouthtownStar

galleries - The SouthtownStar

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:51:00 +0000

galleries - The SouthtownStar

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:38:00 +0000

High School Sports Stats : VarVee : Lawrence North Track and Field

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 16:38:00 +0000

High School Sports Stats : VarVee : Lawrence North Track and Field

King Of The South! A Quick Look At The Top Class Of 2011 Basketball Prospects From The Talent-Rich South Suburbs Of Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:04:00 +0000

King Of The South! A Quick Look At The Top Class Of 2011 Basketball Prospects From The Talent-Rich South Suburbs Of Chicago: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

How You Livin' in the D.R.

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Return to Turkey Creek Tough Medicine for GGW 2010 GGW Event No. 12 By Nate Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:59:00 +0000

Return to Turkey Creek Tough Medicine for GGW

2010 GGW Event No. 12

Take your medicine like a man; it’s good for you. You heard that from your doctor, your heard that from your mother. You probably heard it from your wife. We’ve heard it again and again.

The New England Journal of Medicine reports that men who play golf at least once a week while walking the courses, absorbing the sunshine and getting the mental exercise; shouldn’t really need drugs to stay healthy.

But that report didn’t stop you Golfers Gone Wild from having to swallow some tough medicine after our return to Turkey Creek this past Saturday, July 3. When all the scorecards were counted, the “good for you” message was delivered again by the Medicine Man. Sherman shot a solid 97 and captured his first ever victory on the GGW Tour. He capped his round by making a key par putt on No. 18 to cinch the win; finishing less than a stroke ahead of the closest challengers.

Three players were in a virtual tie for second all with net 68. Big Dog continued what GGW speculates must be performance enhanced play. The Rifleman caught hot putter fever and tied for best score on the back 9. And The Gambler, most likely on some hallucinogenic, thought he was a tour pro on the front nine shooting 3 over 38, and finished with a 84 scratch to win the Nassau bet.

The Gambler also won 10 skins on the day with a critical bogey-par finish. The Rifleman won 2 skins with solo par on No. 10. Grade A won 5 skins with a big birdie on No. 6. And Cadillac Blue won 1 skin with a chip-in birdie at par 5 No. 1. TaylorMade Kid absent for the second straight week remains in the overall skins lead with 33.

After the win, place and show, the remainder of Saturday’s returning field was forced to accept the following prescriptions recommended for various symptoms ailing their game(s).

Country Strong (71) BuSpar® To Moderate his ADDICTION to gambling on golf

Double D (73) Adderall® To Keep DD from developing ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

Grade A (73) Tasmar® To Relieve muscle FATIGUE that caused a 52 on the back 9

Kappatain Styles (76) Pertussin ES® To Reduce HACKING in and out of bunkers and rough

Cadillac Blue (77) Dantrium® To Stop persistent CHOKING on every par putt

Silent Assassin (78) Cymbalta® To Resolve obvious DEPRESSION from shooting 54 on the front

Lucky Lefty (79) Procrit® To Avoid recurrence of chronic IRON (play) DEFICIENCY

Remember these are just recommendations. Ask your doctor as these drugs may have side effects including possibly other disease, deformity or death. And there is no guarantee your golf game improves.

This next Saturday, Golfers Gone Wild will visit Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park for the first time, ever. Winning this GGW Tour Title will be good therapy for any of us.

Medicine Man’s win at Turkey Creek while carrying the highest GGW handicap index elevated the blood pressure and pained several members of the GGW. Regardless, Sherman just stayed cool, reveled in his victory and let everyone know that sometimes even “good for you” medicine is tough to take.

Personal Finance and Investing - MSN Money

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:52:00 +0000

Personal Finance and Investing - MSN Money

Essay: WHAT MAKES THE STOCK MARKET GO UP--AND DOWN

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:24:00 +0000

Essay: WHAT MAKES THE STOCK MARKET GO UP--AND DOWN

Christa Hammond Class of 2012 Lawrence North HS

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:24:00 +0000

Way Cool Recovers at Deer Creek 2010 GGW Event No. 7 By: Nathaniel Curry On: May 05/26/10 12:38 PM

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:39:00 +0000

Last year was very tough for the US economy. Trillions in wealth disappeared. Billions of new debt added. Millions of jobs lost. However, this year the stock market has bounced back, home values are increasing and labor market is improved. Several other economic indicators also show signs of a solid recovery.

On a much smaller, more relevant scale, many of you Golfers Gone Wild showed solid signs of recovering from your early season slumps. On Saturday, May 22, GGW met to compete in our 7th Tour Event of the season at Deer Creek Golf Club in University Park. Our very own Way Cool took full advantage of the (finally) warmer temperatures to emerge victorious.

Way Cool also had a tough year last year. Battling through minor injuries and juggling other time commitments; left Wayne without a Tour win in all of 2009. But on Saturday, Way Cool prevailed by hitting some miraculous recovery shots; starting at the first tee and continuing through #18. His first drive hooked under the trees on the left, but he recovered to make bogey. Throughout day Way Cool hit solid recovery shots to make par or save bogey and finished with 45 on the front. But he saved his most amazing recovery shot for the last hole. #18 at Deer Creek is a hard dog leg right. Wayne hit his coolest drive of the day, 250 yards straight; but it went through the fairway, past the sand trap into the rough. Way Cool then hit a remarkable 2nd shot through the trees, onto the green, made par to seal his first win of the 2010 season, finishing with a net 68.

Cadillac Blue came in second 2 strokes behind. Blue hit several greens in regulation, but not close enough to have easy birdie putts. To coin a phrase, he must have “figured out some things” and looks dangerous come summer. Double D finished third with net 72. After struggle on the first three holes, Dennis settled down and shot a solid 48 on the back.

Several other members of Golfers Gone Wild had good rounds at Deer Creek. Rifleman and Hawk both finished with net 74. The Gambler and Quick Draw both had net 75. Grade A and Country Strong both had net 76. TaylorMade Kid, with net 77, spent his energy recovering from several issues including wardrobe malfunctions and carded a 50 on the back nine.

Two others simply could not recover from bad rounds. Kappatain Styles (85) with the best game off the tee box usually never has to hit a recovery shot, but desperately needs to recover a short game. And Medicine Man (83) could not recover from whatever is ailing his game.

The Gambler won the Nassau bet and also won 4 skins. But Skins play was dominated by Rifleman. Chuck was playing so well and feeling so frisky, he was even able to even recover balls from standing water in a sand trap, twice! Rifleman ended up winning 9 skins on the day with a key solo par on #14. K Styles won two skins and of course, Quick Draw who has game to win skin on any hole, won the first three but couldn’t recover to win any after that.

Others GGW members were kept away from this event due to various needs for recovery. The only good excuse comes from Lucky Lefty who has been recovering from surgery for the past month. Silent Assassin wasn’t available while trying to recover money lost at golf from his bowling pigeons. Big Dog, whose household economy must be pretty good about now, given three consecutive weeks’ worth of GGW winnings, just couldn’t recover from effects of late night party.

Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of Midwest’s summer golf season. To celebrate, the Golfers Gone Wild Tour will make two stops in Indiana. On Saturday, we will be at Sherwood Golf Course in Schererville. Where Kappatain Styles is the current Titleholder. On the Monday, we plan a first official GGW round at Turkey Creek Golf Course in Merrillville. Summer is back. The US economy’s coming back. We’re almost back. Full recovery begins this weekend.

Coyote Run Challengers Crushed By Big Dog 2010 GGW Event No. 6

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:50:00 +0000

Coyote Run in Flossmoor is a familiar golf course to you Golfers Gone Wild. Coyote Run has a familiar layout, with 6478 yards of well manicured fairways and greens, long par 3s and significant water hazards on 11 of 18 holes. Coyote Run has familiar surroundings, a 3 hole three warm-up, grass practice facility and spacious putting green. Northwoods Restaurant at Coyote Run is a familiar 19th hole club house with some of the South Suburbs best golf course food and drink. And, in what has become an all too familiar result for the GGW, Coyote Run produced another Tour victory for Big Dog.

On the Saturday, May 15, Golfers Gone Wild held its 6th Tour event of the season. Almost everyone was selling Wolf Tickets at the first tee. Main target was Big Dog, winner of the last two events. Challenged with prop bets left and right, the GGW put on the pressure to perform. How did he respond? Lonnie started out with birdie on #1. He made the only other birdie on the day at the long par 5 #14 and crushed the challengers; finishing with a net 68.

Four strokes back was a rejuvenated Country Strong. Coyote Run is one of his many “home” courses. You play as much golf as Ron does and almost every course can be called home. But, Country Strong had very unfamiliar, vagabond-like start to the 2010 season, carding triple digit scores in 4 of 5 events. Country Strong may have returned to form with 89 raw score, in 2nd place just ahead of TaylorMade Kid.

TaylorMade Kid had a nice round but missed plenty of opportunities to make up the 0.7 stroke difference in handicap index. Even though Taylor had his second straight 3rd place finish, he continues to impress with outstanding iron play. It’s familiar for The Kid to come up short net score because of handicaps. What was most unusual was TaylorMade Kid and Country Strong had identical gross scores 44-45, so they shared winning the Nassau bet.

The familiarity of the course also benefited the rest of the field as no player shot worse than net 80. Silent Assassin (net 73) and Quick Draw (net 74) finished in the money. Along with Way Cool (75), that threesome finished the 18 holes in what has to be a record time (3 hours and 35 minutes).

Hawk (76), Cadillac Blue (77) and Medicine Man (77) fought a duel to the death. Unfortunately, the only thing they really killed was time; as that group needed 4 hours and 50 minutes to finish.

Cadillac Blue did manage to put together a string of pars on the back nine and won 2 skins on the day. TaylorMade Kid won 3 skins and Silent Assassin won 4 skins with a solo par on #10, a 440 yard par 4. But the big winner on the day was Big Dog. Besides the two birdies, he also made par on 516 yard #6. Big Dog won a total of 9 skins on the day to vault into contention for that season long honor as well.

No Matches were played on Saturday. Will we let the defending champion go the whole year without even having to fight to keep his title? We call it Match Play Competition for a reason. Let’s compete.

Next weekend, Golfers Gone Wild Tour heads to Sherwood Golf Course in Schererville, Indiana. Kappatain Styles is the reigning GGW Titleholder at Sherwood. TaylorMade Kid is the reigning Match Play Champion. Big Dog has reigned supreme winning the last three Tour Events in a row. Which GGW Challenger will rain on the parade for those three?

Big Dog Survives a Cold May Day at Tuckaway 2010 GGW Event No. 5

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:49:00 +0000

t was cold. Tee time was at 9:06 am and the wind chill was around 40 degrees. Twenty minutes before the round only three players had arrived. It looked like we wouldn’t have a qualified round. Then, like a mob of homeless who heard rumor they were serving hot meals, people started showing up; bundled up; ready for whatever. You Golfers Gone Wild must be crazy.

On the Saturday before Mother’s Day, May 8, the GGW held its 5th Tour event of the season at Tuckaway Golf Course in Crete. Tuckaway is definitely tucked away near the Illinois-Indiana border, surrounded by horses and farms. Another unorthodox layout, Tuckaway has par 35 front and 37 back. It played to 6037 with uneven lies in the fairways, elevated tee boxes and undulating greens on almost every hole.

Add in some frigid May temperatures, vicious high winds and we had conditions more suitable for an episode of Survivor Alaska than playing Golf. But, even with play not nearly as good as last week, Big Dog was the sole survivor, under par, with a net 69. For the second straight week, reportedly playing golf every other day and using his prodigious drives (along with an equally prodigious handicap index), Lonnie finished on top.

Coming in second was the Silent Assassin. Sam shot a 98, net 73. Only 1 stroke more than he had during his unsanctioned practice round played in ideal conditions on Wednesday. (Please note: his official excuse was he was there to check the playable condition of the recently aerated greens. Instead of chastising him for taking our money, we should trust that he was just looking out for us). Sure he was.

TaylorMade Kid shot the best scratch round of the day with a 90 (net 74). Placing third, Taylor shot a 43 front and again won the Nassau bets from the serious gambling addicts. Holder of the lowest handicap index at 16.1, The Kid surrenders 11 strokes to Big Dog and almost 7 strokes to the average players in the field before the race even starts.

How did the GGW racing sheet handicap these other average horses trying for a win at Tuckaway?

Way Cool (78), Until Warmer Weather Comes, A Win?, No Way.
Quick Draw (77), Doesn’t Even Care, He Just Bombs Away.
Cadillac Blue (79), Can’t Hit a Green When Skies Are Grey.

Grade A (81), Kept Missing Fairways All Damn Day
The Gambler (81), a Winner Last Year, But Not Today
Rifleman (82), He’s Wealthy and Somebody Has to Pay

Kappatain Styles (84), Hey, Maybe He Knew It Wasn’t His Day
Double D (86), He Just Showed Up, Didn’t Come to Play
Country Strong (90), Going from Bad to Worse, What Can I Say?

Agree with me. Yay or Nay, That’s what happened to the also rans in the field, Saturday at Tuckaway.

However, six of twelve players won skins. TaylorMade Kid was the big winner with 7 skins all on the front side. Grade A picked up 3 skins and took over the season skins lead with 19 total. The Gambler, Cadillac Blue, Big Dog and Silent Assassin all won 2 skins each.

No Matches were played on Saturday. Since handicaps are used and everyone schedules their own matches perhaps the GGW needs to Beware of Big Dog. He is a better player than the index he carries. Two wins in a row raises several questions.

Why was the handicap calculation changed and when? How much better must one play to break par and win? What will it take for those high handicap brothers to drop? And, Who, in the hell, Let The Dog Out?

Big Dog and the GGW Chews Up Lincoln Oaks 2010 GGW Event No. 4

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:48:00 +0000

It’s too early to call anything a trend. After 4 weeks, you can’t be sure the White Sox will lose more than half their games. After 4 weeks, you can’t say Tiger Woods is going to continue to miss more than half his cuts. So after 4 weeks, you can’t predict high handicappers will win more than half our tournaments.

Golfers Gone Wild held its 4th Tour Event at Lincoln Oaks Golf Club. A unique course, Lincoln Oaks has six par 3s and five par 5s covering 6186 yards. It winds through an upscale community in Crete, Illinois. Crete is a beautiful town where neighbors play with their children, work on their lawns and jog with their dogs.

On Sunday May 2, those neighbors, kids and pets just watched as the GGW led by its own Big DOG chewed up Lincoln Oaks. Finally straightening out his driver, Lonnie shook off early season swing inconsistency to shoot a 9 under net 62. Big DOG hit fairways, greens and played consistent bogey golf to card a 46-46 round. Subtract a high handicap from previous poor play; and it adds up to the best net finish so far in a GGW event this year.

It wasn’t just Big DOG marking his territory at Lincoln Oaks. Three other golfers; Medicine Man, Grade A, and Way Cool all played much better and broke net par.

Medicine Man playing his first event of the 2010 season; served notice that this year’s Medicine may not go down so easy for us. Sherman shot a 47 front and finished with a net 65 overall for second place. Grade A ate up the course, using monster drives off the tee to shoot his GGW best ever round of 92. Grady finished third with net 66. Way Cool started out as leader of a wild pack; making par on the first two holes and needing only 44 on the back nine. Finishing fourth with a net 67, Wayne will be dangerous if he is back to his pre-injury 2008 form.

Cadillac Blue (net 72), Rifleman (net 73) and TaylorMade Kid (net 74) had a spirited and competitive foursome with Way Cool. TaylorMade Kid stopped messing around after taking 51 going out. He dropped a 39 on us coming in for 90 and was winner of Nassau back/overall bets. Cadillac Blue was neither spectacular nor suspect with 48-48. And Rifleman played the unorthodox Lincoln Oaks layout using an unorthodox club set. One player said it consisted of 13 woods and a putter. GGW did not independently verify this report, but an 9 wood was allegedly the club of choice on at least nine holes.

Whatever works. Few clubs of any kind were working for Hawk (net 76), Double D (net 82) and Quick Draw (net 80). Quick Draw’s highlight birdie at #3 was a push. Double D at least managed to win 2 skins with par on tough #14. TaylorMade Kid won 4 skins with back to back pars on the final two holes.

But the big skins winner of the day was Grade A. His second birdie at #12 won all of the first 12 skins. Grady A chipped in from the fringe on the par 4 with a sloping fairway. He celebrated for a minute then chased away a bunch of trespassers trying to jump between our groups at #13 tee.

The GGW doesn’t know what’s wrong with The Gambler (net 81) and Country Strong (net 86). We’d hate to see them get put down. These are top 5 players from last year who routinely chased scores below 90. This year they just seem to be resting, watching and waiting to be fed. Or, maybe they’re following that old country saying, “if you can’t run with the Big Dog; just lie on the porch”.

Next week Saturday, the Golfers Gone Wild Tour continues its swing down I-394 to Tuckaway Golf Club also in Crete. Big DOG leads GGW Points. Double D and Grade A leads GGW Skins. Who knows if these early trends will continue? What is clear is that the higher handicap brothers have come to play.

Glenwoodie Turns Out To Be TaylorMade for the Kid 2010 GGW Event No. 3

noreply@blogger.com (Wyide Open Research) — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:47:00 +0000

In the game of golf, some days, things just seem to turn out right. Long drives land on the “right” side of the fairway. Solid approach shots give you the right looks into the green. Pure putts drop into the hole with just the right pace. And, certainly comfortable weather makes it easier to hit the right shots.

The weather forecast for Glenwood, Illinois on Saturday, April 24, was questionable. Heavy rain fell overnight in Chicagoland and more severe storms South and West were headed our way. This weather was similar to last year’s event where the course was declared unplayable. But, for the quick 4 hour golf window we needed; warmer temps, gentle breezes and NO rain, made sure this day at Glenwoodie would turn out just right for the Golfers Gone Wild 3rd Tour Event of the season.

Known as the oldie but goodie, Glenwoodie is a 6437 yard compact layout with a deep ravine of Deer Creek meandering through four of the back nine holes. The course drained well from the rainy night before and had very few soggy spots. The always tough, sloping greens held approach shots and rolled true.

Like an expensive, Italian 3 piece suit, Glenwoodie turned out to be tailor-made for the TaylorMade Kid. The Kid cut up the course and the 10 man GGW field, stitching together a tour season best round of 82. TaylorMade Kid started hot; making par on 5 of the first 6 holes, birdie on #8, and shot a 3 over par 39 front side. The Kid had the Nassau bet and his first win of the season practically sewed up before we hit the turn. Taylor finished with a net 65, a measurement almost 7 net strokes better than runner-up.

Coming in second was Grade A. AG averaged about 297 yards off the tee box and fashioned his long drives into a net 71. Double D continued a pattern of solid play for 2010 and finished third with a net 75; less than ½ stroke better than Cadillac Blue. Cadillac was tuned up early (45 front) but choked up late. Lucky Lefty shot a net 77 for fifth place money.

The always competitive 2009 Player of the Year, Lefty will be headed for the shelf and unable to play for the next few weeks. Call the Competition Committee. No golf for 5-6 weeks for Miller, competing with Taylor, who reportedly plays three times a week, including an unsanctioned practice round at Glenwoodie last Wednesday. Come Saturday, that unsanctioned round made The Kid very well prepared for GGW. Regarding the rest of the field? Let’s just say at least they were very well dressed.

Quick Draw? Looked great; sporting a new jet black hooded rain suit. Unfortunately it was last seen on the way to shooting a net 81. Way Cool? Just chilling in high end Nike Dri-Fit apparel, but shot a net 80. Country Strong? Decked out in TW Victory Red, continued his early season struggle with a net 82. The Gambler? With his $1000 designer watch, started timing us at the 1st tee; finished quick, but with net 81. Silent Assassin? Admittedly playing on little sleep, still always nattily attired, Sam shot a butt ugly net 92.

However, golf at Glenwoodie wasn’t all about well tailored clothes. Way Cool did play well enough to lead in skins on the day with 6; using a nice looking drive to par #13. Quick Draw stopped styling just long enough on #7 to win 4 skins. TaylorMade Kid, pushed off his birdie hole by Lefty, still managed to win 4 skins. Grade A was also credited with 4 skins, playing ahead of the curve, with pars on #2 and #18.

Next week Sunday, the Golfers Gone Wild Tour hits another old school course, Lincoln Oaks Golf Club. Located in Crete, Illinois, Lincoln Oaks has some tight carries, multiple par 3’s and postage stamp greens. Glenwoodie seemed to be TaylorMade for the Kid…..….Whose game will be the right fit for Lincoln Oaks?