The first week of the 2013 golf season was anything but boring! Play was supposed to begin at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii on Friday, but Mother Nature would have none of it.

Having played the Plantation course where this tournament was being held, even on a nice, beautiful, no wind kind of day, it’s still quite a challenge. Players were having to deal with very high winds and what some called “hurricane” conditions with the wet and windy weather–gusts of up to 50 MPH!

If you were to drive down to the beach, you would have no idea the weather wasn’t perfect at the golf course! That’s Hawaii for you!

The tournament was delayed and restarted on Monday and Tuesday. They players were able to get in 36 on Monday before playing 18 on Tuesday. Dustin Johnson finished with 16 under par to beat out Steve Stricker who took second place with a 12 under par total.

Stricker, the defending champ, did not make it easy on Johnson. The turning point came on the 13th green when Stricker had a putt to tie Johnson. He missed and Johnson went on to eagle the 14th hole and never look back.

The Tournament of Champions is an exclusive event to kick off the new season. Every player invited to play has to earn their way into the field by winning a tournament the year before. The list of 2012 winners who chose to participate this year include the following: Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Tommy Gainey, Carl Pettersson, Ian Poulter, Matt Kuchar, Mark Wilson, Webb Simpson, J.J. Henry, Johnson Wagner, Scott Stallings, Scott Piercy, Nick Watney, Jonas Blixt, Ben Curtis, John Huh, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Charlie Beljan, Bill Haas, Marc Leighman, Hunter Mahan, Ted Potter, Jr., Ryan Moore, George McNeill, and Kyle Stanley.

Johnson won last year’s FedEx St. Jude Classic to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. He’s also the same guy that has come close to winning a couple of Major Golf Tournaments, but always seems to come up just short on Sunday.

He seems to be on his way to big things this year (maybe he’ll get that elusive Major Championship) and if reports are true, he’s now dating “The Great One’s” daughter, Miss Paulina Gretzky. She has been posting photos on her twitter/instagram account of Hawaii and twitter has been all abuzzed about it.

Golf and the daughter of a legendary hockey player meeting….maybe it’s the beginning of a Cinderella Story for Dustin Johnson…or maybe he’s just found his happy place, with Chubbs entertaining them on the piano!

She jukes, she jives, she can probably outrun your son. Sam Gordon, a 9-year old girl has become an internet super star over the last couple days when footage of the girl started circulating of her playing in a youth football league. She has yards and moves that would make scouts salivate and she has. It has been noticed by every major news outlet, and even on NFL.com.

Did I mention she plays against all boys, and smokes them each time she touches the ball. Run Sam, Run! Check out this absolutely amazing girl’s highlight reel.

Keep doing your thing, girl!

A message from the Chalkbot on the path of the Tour de France (from “The Amateur” www.cancerendurance.com)

On October 10, 2012, USADA CEO Travis Tygart released a statement regarding their investigation into the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team’s “doping conspiracy”.  Attached to this statement is a 202-page document detailing the reasoning behind the decision to ban Lance Armstrong from cycling for life.  Also attached are the affidavits provided by the cyclists and others who testified.

Yesterday, Lance Armstrong released a statement regarding his decision to step down as chairman of Livestrong, a position he has held for the past 5 years.  Armstrong is also the founder of Livestrong.  Later that morning, multiple sponsors, including Nike , RadioShack, and Trek, announced that they will be breaking ties with Armstrong.  » Continue reading “USADA Releases Report, Nike And Trek Break Ties with Lance Armstrong…and Other Thoughts on His Doping”

Lance Armstrong announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down as chairman of the Livestrong foundation. He founded the cancer-fighting charity when he was battling cancer himself. He wants them to be able to focus on their causes instead of Armstrong’s newest doping allegations.

Armstrong released a statement to announce his departure:

This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart. Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.

“As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer. It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organization that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors.

“My family and I have devoted our lives to the work of the foundation and that will not change. We plan to continue our service to the foundation and the cancer community. We will remain active advocates for cancer survivors and engaged supporters of the fight against cancer.”

If things weren’t already looking dim for Armstrong after his newest allegations, Nike has dropped him as a spokesperson due to mounting evidence against him.

Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer.

Ouch.

The Livestrong foundation has raised more than $500 million in support of cancer patients.

I guess when it rains, it pours. Right, Lance?

A Florida girl has taken the field as her high school’s back-up quarterback and became the first ever female to do so. According to her  South Plantation Sr. High School coach, Doug Gatewood, she doesn’t receive any special treatment and she has earned her spot.

Gatewood:

I don’t make exceptions for her if she can’t do, I wouldn’t keep her. But she can do anything the boys can so she’s here.

Erin Dimeglio grew up loving sports and wants to attend college on a basketball scholarship. Her ultimate dream this football season? To actually throw a touchdown pass.

I will be rooting for her to do just that.

You can read the original story for CBS Miami, here.

Well, the battle is over, the last time Aerys reported on the Armstrong situation, it was said that he was going to keep fighting to keep his name clear. Now that doesn’t seem to be the case and the USADA moved in for the kill…

The United States Anti Doping Agency has laid the hammer down. Lance Armstrong has had all seven of his Tour de France wins and has been banned from the sport for life. He must forfeit all wins from 1998 to current.

The decision came from the USADA after Armstrong announced that he was was not going to continue fighting them on the doping charges.

USADA CEO Travis Tygart on the decision to ban Armstrong:

Nobody wins when an athlete decides to cheat with dangerous performance enhancing drugs, but clean athletes at every level expect those of us here on their behalf, to pursue the truth to ensure the win-at-all-cost culture does not permanently overtake fair, honest competition. Any time we have overwhelming proof of doping, our mandate is to initiate the case through the process and see it to conclusion as was done in this case.

His lifetime ban reasoning?

His (Armstrong’s) numerous anti-doping rule violations, including his involvement in trafficking and administering doping products to others.

Armstrong commented that he was tired of trying to fight this fight.Regardless of whether or not he is guilty, the cloud of suspicion will always hang over his head. No matter what you think of him or your views on doping, you can’t deny that Armstrong’s Livestrong campaign has not been a joke. He inspired millions and raised over $5oo million in cancer research.

Nike came out early Friday morning in support of Armstrong and said they have no plans to stop support of him or the Livestrong foundation.

It took longer than it ever should have, but Monday morning Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne announced the first two female members of Augusta National:

Former Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice (who also received membership at Cypress in March) and business executive Darla Moore (the University of South Carolina’s Business School is named after her).

From USA Today:

“This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club,” Payne said in a statement. “We are fortunate to consider many qualified candidates for membership at Augusta National. Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time. The process for Condoleezza and Darla was no different. These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. It will be a proud moment when we present Condoleezza and Darla their Green Jackets when the Club opens this fall. This is a significant and positive time in our Club’s history and, on behalf of our membership, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them and all of our new members into the Augusta National family.”

But what changed?

Ten years ago Augusta National was in the news when Martha Burk demanded that they allow female members. Then Augusta National chairman Hootie Johnson rebuffed her request and lost television sponsors as a result.

Even this year, one of the Masters biggest sponsors, IBM, was caught up in a great controversy because their CEO and President is a woman, a very powerful woman, Ginni Rometty. Augusta National did not offer her membership. Not offering membership to the leader of a company who sponsors your tournament, and has for many years, doesn’t really make much sense, yet she wasn’t offered membership on Monday. Maybe sometime soon?

USA Today quote from Condoleeza Rice:

“I am delighted and honored to be a member of Augusta National Golf Club,” she said. “I have visited Augusta National on several occasions and look forward to playing golf, renewing friendships and forming new ones through this very special opportunity. I have long admired the important role Augusta National has played in the traditions and history of golf. I also have immense respect for the Masters Tournament and its commitment to grow the game of golf, particularly with youth, here in the United States and throughout the world.

USA Today quote from Darla Moore:

“Augusta National has always captured my imagination, and is one of the most magically beautiful places anywhere in the world, as everyone gets to see during the Masters each April,” Moore said. “I am fortunate to have many friends who are members at Augusta National, so to be asked to join them as a member represents a very happy and important occasion in my life. Above all, Augusta National and the Masters Tournaments have always stood for excellence, and that is what is so important to me.”

Today’s announcement is a great step toward doing the right thing. The good ol’ boys at Augusta have finally got something right—it just took them far too long to realize it. These women will enhance the game of golf and your club. Your members are better off counting them among the population.

Sixteen months ago, Rory McIlroy imploded on the back nine at Augusta National during the Masters, one of golf’s majors. He chalked up the disaster that it was to a learning experience.

Two months later he ran away with with the second major of the year, the US Open at Congressional Country Club. He shot -16 and won the tournament by 8 shots.

Sunday, McIlroy again won a major championship by 8 shots, this time shooting 13 under par and winning the PGA Championshp at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. His Sunday round of 66 was played bogey free, a miraculous feat for anyone playing on a Sunday in a major championship.

Rory joins this year’s major champions Bubba Watson (Masters), Webb Simpson (US Open) and Ernie Els (British Open) and is the first person to win multiple major championships in the last 16 attempts (4 years).

Some quotes from his post round presser:

“I got here Monday afternoon. I looked out the window and though, ‘Something about this place just feels right.’”

“The failure at Augusta (last year) has helped me learn so much more than the win at Congressional.”

“I didn’t think about it until 18. Then I allowed myself to realize I was going to win and I just enjoyed the moment.”

Enjoy the moment, Rory! What an exciting end to the major championship season!

Next up, the Ryder Cup!

There are several golf tournaments each year, but only four have the honor of being called majors. They can make or break a career and generally give the players the most competition throughout the year being set up with the roughest conditions and the most pressure.

This year Adam Scott, from Australia and seeking his first major tournament victory found himself at the top of the leaderboard the first three days of the tournament. Beginning the final round of the Open Championship he had a four stroke lead, and on Sunday afternoon at Royal Lytham he had lost by a stroke to the now 4 time major winner from South Africa, Ernie Els.

Adam could not have handled defeat any better than he did. He was incredibly graceful on the course, in the press room and especially on the 18^th green when some knucklehead asked him if he thought he lost because of the 3 bogeys he had coming into 18…

“It was a pretty sloppy, ugly finish by me,” he told the Golf Channel.

This is just the way golf is. It comes with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Just ask Scott’s fellow countryman Greg Norman who was well known for meltdowns, although, I’m not sure this could be considered a meltdown.

I will never forget sitting in my living room in 1996 watching the Masters and Greg literally handing over the green jacket to Nick Faldo. Up until then, I had never seen a professional athlete lose their mental game and forget how to play the sport they play.

Scotty started the day with a bogey on 1, missing a putt to the left. He followed it up with a birdie on two and a bogey on three. After a birdie on 14, the trouble began. He bogyed 15, followed that up with a bogey on 16 when he missed a 3 footer to the left (lipped out). On 17 his approach shot got stuck in the wind, took a bad bounce and ended up in the rough just left and behind the green for another bogey.

All the while, Ernie Els is sinking a birdie putt on 18 to put him and Adam in a tie.

For the first time all week, Adam took a three wood on the tee of the 18^th instead of an iron. He put his drive into the bunker, hit out of the bunker and was on the green with his third shot. He had to make a 10 foot putt for par to force a playoff with Ernie, but once again, Scotty missed to the left. \

Heartbreak for Adam and such a huge victory for Ernie.

In April, Ernie was not extended an invitation to the Masters because he didn’t meet the qualifications (even though he was a 3 time major winner). He has struggled over the past few years with his game, family issues (his son has autism and he’s dedicated a lot of his time to the cause), and injuries. Now he’s exempt into next year’s Masters and is once again a Major Champion!

What happened to the other guys?

Graeme McDowell was also paired with Adam in the final group on Sunday. He finished at -2, in a tie for 5^th place after shooting 5 over par. This is the second major in a row he’s been in the final pairing on Sunday.

Tiger Woods finished -3, in a tie for 3rd and shot 3 over par today. At one point he was stuck in a greenside bunker and had to get down onto his knees just to swing at the ball!

http://youtu.be/gSzmBjCOVDk

Brandt Snedeker shot four over today and finished tied for 3^rd with Tiger at -3.

The only guys in the top 10 who finished under par in Sunday’s round were Els, -2 and Luke Donald, -1 who finished in a tie for 5^th.

Back in October, I headed to Downtown Tampa and found a spot near the Convention Center to watch Red Bull Flugtag. Now, Red Bull is coming back to Tampa with the Red Bull Wake Open and they’re bringing the best wakeboarders in the world with them.

As a lifelong resident of the Sunshine State, I can tell you that people around here love their water sports. When Red Bull announced that they were going to hold the Red Bull Wake Open, one of their Signature Series events, in Tampa, I got to go out to a press conference outside the Convention Center and watch some demos. From what the athletes were willing to do just for a demo, I’m willing to bet this week’s Wake Open won’t disappoint watersports enthusiasts.

Red Bull USA has a pretty impressive video on their site to give you an idea of what you’ll see in the water outside the Tampa Convention Center later this week.

The boat portion of the competition, the traditional form of wakeboarding, will take place on July 12. Riders will launch off a 50-foot ramp in the Big Air competition on the evening of July 13. The Wake Open will end with the Park portion of the event on July 14. If you can only make it to one part of the event, Park is what you want to see. Red Bull describes it as:

The most exciting portion of the competition, where riders will use the new Sesitec System 2.0 to be pulled through a water terrain park in front of the convention center. Athletes will be pulled back and forth to do tricks and jumps in front of both a live audience and broadcasted live on NBC. The 2.0 system itself is a 2 tower straight-line cable system with one side on the convention center, and the other across the bay.

Sounds pretty sweet. Let’s see if Red Bull gives these wakeboarders wings!

NBC will be broadcasting the event live on Saturday, July 14 from 1-3pm. You can find a full schedule of the Red Bull Wake Open here.

To keep up with the action, follow @redbullTPA on Twitter.