Hurricane Junior Golf Tour’s Post

Scottie Scheffler's wife, Meredith, did not join him in Augusta this weekend because she is pregnant with their first child. On Saturday, it was reported that if she went into labor prior to him teeing off on Sunday, he would withdraw from the Masters and forfeit his chance at a second green jacket. At that point, he was leading the field at (-7). If you are not a golf fan, I'll spoil the surprise for you: Scottie finished the tournament at (-11) on Sunday, becoming a Masters champion for the second time in 3 years. I read many, many comments that called out how foolish this would have been. But the one that stood out to me most was this: "He'll be a dad for decades, but his kid will have to live with the guilt of causing his dad to lose the Masters for his whole life." When your identity is rooted in what you do and your accomplishments, I can see how that comment rings true. Scottie's identity is found in something much greater than a green jacket. Much greater than his accomplishments. It is rooted in Christ Jesus and His finished work upon the cross, defeating Satan, Sin, and Death. Amazing perspective by Scottie on this Monday morning. Watch here. The question that produces this answer is asked around the 6:10 mark of the video. The entire press conference is well worth your time. #themasters #pga #golf #identity #perspective #outlook #ScottieScheffler

Sporting legends #RafaNadal and #UsainBolt are the subjects of #mariaisabelsanchezvegara’s additions to the #LittlePeopleBigDreams series ill. #RoLedesma #KarenCrosbie #QuartoKids #FrancesLIncolnChildrensBooks - reviewed now on #RedReadingHub blog

Why fast-thinking, bulked-up Saints are Premiership favorites Sports, bulked-up Saints, fast-thinking, Premiership favorites

Let me tell you a story about the toughest pro tennis match of my life. We were 1 set all.  My opponent was up in the third set 5-0.  He was my main rival. This was a competitive match. Everyone, including my mum, thought the match was over. Anyway, at 5 games to love, I requested a bathroom break. Had a long hard think about my performance. Regained my energy.  I came back on the court and then won the next 5 games in a row taking it to 5-5. We then battled it out in a 15-minute game, which I won. And then I closed out the set and won. I had the momentum. I learnt a lot that day. 1. Nothing is over until it’s really over. The match only ends when you shake hands.  2. You have to block out the noise & focus on the game. But also the importance of momentum.  I apply this lesson in business & fundraising too. Small checks inevitably lead to bigger checks.  One yes leads to another.  One win leads to another.    Ask yourself: What change can you make today to start building some momentum? 

https://lnkd.in/djjztCMF Let me open up by admitting wholeheartedly that I was a bit of a clumsy bugger on the field of play, in fact, that goes for life in general. I was frequently penalised for a variety of infringements, lurking where I shouldn't,(being off-side) the occasional stumble (falling on the opposition/ not supporting my own weight), well who could? and every often due to a lack of speed and agility and in a vain attempt to entrap a speedy, diminutive back, I would reach out and collar these escapees or outright clothes line them! I was approaching 6 foot 9 and weighed 125-135 kilos. Understand that size and weight was never considered in a citing case that I was involved with. The game was created inclusive but never had there or should there be one rule for one, another rule for the other. The different statures and skill sets make the game. I was dealt the necessary punishment and told to go away and work on my technique, discipline and probably my core stability! Ultimately you do what you can. We are living in a different rugby world and the rules have changed, the stakes are higher and so are expectations. High tackles are now the subject of much debate and it is a contentious issue. I occupy this space daily and scrutinising such incidents is what I do. A census of the various power bodies in Rugby Union have chosen to use rule changes and punitive changes to mitigate the risk and reduce the numbers of head blows and therefore concussion. My passion is seeing the game thriving and making sure the health and wellbeing of the players is protected. The yellow card and subsequent red issued to Owen Farrell verses Wales at the weekend was totally justified under the new guidelines. At the hearing, it was then decided that a "late change in dynamics" due to George's involvement in the contact area "brought about a sudden and significant change in direction from the ball carrier" So what happens each and every time someone like Cheslin Kolbe, Shane Williams MBE Msc or Jason Robinson OBE are the ball carrier! They suddenly and significantly change in Direction! Really? Much as I respect the talent and competitive edge that Farrell brings to the team, I am afraid that with his record of previous offences and showing little evidence of behavioural change, the punitive measures should have been greater and as a leader and ambassador for the game, might want to look at a change in his tackle technique. Easier said than done, but I suspect if kicking tees were banned, he would alter and adjust his technique and prove that he is up to the task. It is a lot easier to change behaviour than a physical state and structure. I did shed a ton of weight to stop Jason Leonard complaining when lineout lifting got introduced! This is not about Farrell, it is about preservation of the game and the elite setting the example.

⛳ ⛳ "Drive for show, putt for dough" ⛳ ⛳ Everyone in golf knows this saying - whenever I hear a glib saying, I like to question it. The premise is that thwacking huge drives might impress some people, but real success is found on the putting green. But is it true? I think there's (at least) 2 ways of looking at it - in long-term performance and in a tournament setting. I've compared my Strokes Gained averaged over the last 5 rounds benchmarked against a 0 handicapper and a 5 handicapper, across 4 shot types. For example: SG for Tee Shots against 5 handicapper: +0.38 SG for Tee Shots against 0 handicapper: -1.93 Difference: 2.31 So the average SG difference between tee shots of 0 Hcp and 5 Hcp players is 2.31. Doing this across all shot types: Total difference: 5.82 Tee: 2.31 Approach: 2.17 Short Game: 0.73 Putting: 0.61 Putting only makes up 10% of the difference, so there's an argument that for long term performance improvement, you should focus on tee shots (39.7%) and approach shots (37.3%). However, in a tournament setting, where it's a more compressed setting, and you have to beat other players... getting "lucky" and holing a few extra putts must increase your chances of getting of winning, right?! Fortunately someone has crunched the numbers for me, using a metric of PCV (Putting Contribution to Victory). Take the SG of the winner, and work out the % that came from putting. Turns out that across all winners on the PGA Tour in this data, PCV was at 31%, meaning 69% came from other types of shots. Not quite the weight the saying suggests... so go ahead and question throwaway wisdom.

A very interesting perspective on football and CTE from football's most elite club.

Not your average desk job... Something is happening in Brisvegas and I just can't remember exactly what it is.... Alright for those of you who think you know more than your average Origin stat - here's a quiz to separate the die hards from the try hards! 1) The lowest crowd at a State of Origin game was 12,439. That was in 1987 during the first and only time that the game has been played outside of Australia. In what city was it played in that year? 2) Apart from Melbourne, the State of Origin tournament is traditionally split between NSW and Queensland. It has however been held in two other Australian cities. Which ones? 3) In what year did Origin become a 3-game series? 4) What’s the controversy around James Tamou 5) What was the name of the former Queensland captain, a journalist at the time, who ‘invented State of Origin’? Taking on the idea, fellow journalist Hugh Lunn persuaded Queensland Rugby League chairman Rom McAullife to go with the concept, with the brilliant line, ”you can take the Queenslander out of Queensland, Ron, but you can’t take Queensland out of the Queenslander.” 6) The lowest scoring game of Origin was in 1995 when Queensland beat NSW by how many miserly points to nil? 7) A current Sky Sports presenter was the youngest to ever pull on a jersey – he played for Queensland when he was just 18. What is his name? 8) Cameron Smith has pulled on an Origin jersey the most times – wearing the Maroon top 42 times. For the Blues, Brad Fittler, who has played how many times? 9) Cameron Smith has also been Man of the Match in seven of those 42 games – one less than a player known as ‘The King’, who has been the best player on the field eight times. What is The King’s real name? 10) Pulling on the refs jersey the most times is the legendary Bill Harrigan, How many Origin games did he hold the whistle? 11) Top scorer for the Blues scored 129 points – including 42 goals – between 1985 and 1991. What was his name? 12) What is the name of the Maroons player who scored 212 points – the most by any Origin player? 13) The most wins by a coach is the legendary Mel Meninga with 20 wins. Mel was also Man of the Match in the first series game back in 1982. Most wins by a Blues coach is Phil Gould. How many wins has Phil had? 14) Name the non-sporting TV show that for one episode cast Johnathan Thurston, Ray Warren and Gordon Bray - Bonus point if you can name the episode 15) This month Reece Walsh celebrated a birthday – how old is he now? #OC #Queenslander #Maroons #PrideOfQueensland

Not your average desk job... Something is happening in Brisvegas and I just can't remember exactly what it is.... Alright for those of you who think you know more than your average Origin stat - here's a quiz to separate the die hards from the try hards! 1) The lowest crowd at a State of Origin game was 12,439. That was in 1987 during the first and only time that the game has been played outside of Australia. In what city was it played in that year? 2) Apart from Melbourne, the State of Origin tournament is traditionally split between NSW and Queensland. It has however been held in two other Australian cities. Which ones? 3) In what year did Origin become a 3-game series? 4) What’s the controversy around James Tamou 5) What was the name of the former Queensland captain, a journalist at the time, who ‘invented State of Origin’? Taking on the idea, fellow journalist Hugh Lunn persuaded Queensland Rugby League chairman Rom McAullife to go with the concept, with the brilliant line, ”you can take the Queenslander out of Queensland, Ron, but you can’t take Queensland out of the Queenslander.” 6) The lowest scoring game of Origin was in 1995 when Queensland beat NSW by how many miserly points to nil? 7) A current Sky Sports presenter was the youngest to ever pull on a jersey – he played for Queensland when he was just 18. What is his name? 8) Cameron Smith has pulled on an Origin jersey the most times – wearing the Maroon top 42 times. For the Blues, Brad Fittler, who has played how many times? 9) Cameron Smith has also been Man of the Match in seven of those 42 games – one less than a player known as ‘The King’, who has been the best player on the field eight times. What is The King’s real name? 10) Pulling on the refs jersey the most times is the legendary Bill Harrigan, How many Origin games did he hold the whistle? 11) Top scorer for the Blues scored 129 points – including 42 goals – between 1985 and 1991. What was his name? 12) What is the name of the Maroons player who scored 212 points – the most by any Origin player? 13) The most wins by a coach is the legendary Mel Meninga with 20 wins. Mel was also Man of the Match in the first series game back in 1982. Most wins by a Blues coach is Phil Gould. How many wins has Phil had? 14) Name the non-sporting TV show that for one episode cast Johnathan Thurston, Ray Warren and Gordon Bray - Bonus point if you can name the episode 15) This month Reece Walsh celebrated a birthday – how old is he now? #OC #Queenslander #Maroons #PrideOfQueensland

Here is a new article that I wrote for the Her Sport webpage. https://lnkd.in/e6NeDPV5