When talking about UConn and Kentucky basketball you normally think of teams that are in contention in the tournament, and teams who are usually ranked in the top 10 for the AP polls. Not this year. Kentucky opened the season being ranked number one in the nation, but immediately dropped out of the top 25. UConn had some success through out the season, but never lived up to the standard the standard they hold for basketball. Entering the tournament neither of these schools were projected to make it through the second round, and some predicted them to lose in the first round. But as we now enter the final four, the two teams are still alive.
UConn was a seven seed starting the tournament, and had to beat Villanova, then Big 12 champs Iowa State, and then the Big 10 tournament champs in Michigan State. Their road was not easy, considering both Michigan State and Iowa State had been picked by a lot of people to win the whole thing. They will face the number one overall seeded Florida Gators on Saturday, and this will be an even tougher test than the ones they have already had. Most experts are picking Florida to win this game, but do not be surprised if Connecticut is with them the whole way, they did dominate MSU and ISU for practically the whole game.
Kentucky started the tournament as a eight seed, and had to face an undefeated Wichita State in the second round. After they handed the Shockers their first loss, they then had to play last years champions, the Louisville Cardinals, and after the shocking win over the in-state rivals, they faced the Big 10 champions, Michigan. So, just like the UConn Huskies, the Wildcats faced a very tough road to get to the final four. On Saturday the Wildcats will face the Wisconsin Badgers, who just knocked out the one seeded Arizona Wildcats.
Both Connecticut and Kentucky do not have easy roads to winning the tournament, but with their seeds, adn the teams they had to face, it is impressive that they are even in the Final Four.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Cyclones fall in tourney
The Iowa State Cyclones coming off of a great Big 12 performance were looking to make a tourney run this March. That is until they met a hot Connecticut team.
Connecticut came into Friday's game after a big upset over the #2 seed Villanova, and they kept the momentum going all throughout the game. Connecticut got up to 16 point lead before the Cyclones were able to get within five, but they were never able to catch them. Connecticut kept the momentum going into Sunday's game when they defeated one of the tourney favorites #4 seed Michigan State.
They will face the number one overall seed, Florida, Saturday night.
Iowa State did have a good run for their past performances, even if it was not what the Cyclone's players had in mind. The Cyclones were able to defeat the North Carolina Central in the first round pretty handily, and then faced a tough opponent in the second round with North Carolina. The Tar Heels looked as if they were going to send the Clones packing, but with a late game charge by the seniors Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, the Cyclones managed to survive.
With the season coming to an end, the Cyclones will wave goodbye to Melvin Ejim who was the Big 12 player of the year, and DeAndre Kane who was the Big 12 tournament MVP. These are two major losses for the Clones, but there is definitely some potential for next years team. Naz Long and Monte Morris definitely arose as potential stars, and Georges Niang is already a star for the Cyclones. This was a great year for Iowa State basketball, and hopefully the success will continue.
Connecticut came into Friday's game after a big upset over the #2 seed Villanova, and they kept the momentum going all throughout the game. Connecticut got up to 16 point lead before the Cyclones were able to get within five, but they were never able to catch them. Connecticut kept the momentum going into Sunday's game when they defeated one of the tourney favorites #4 seed Michigan State.
They will face the number one overall seed, Florida, Saturday night.
Iowa State did have a good run for their past performances, even if it was not what the Cyclone's players had in mind. The Cyclones were able to defeat the North Carolina Central in the first round pretty handily, and then faced a tough opponent in the second round with North Carolina. The Tar Heels looked as if they were going to send the Clones packing, but with a late game charge by the seniors Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane, the Cyclones managed to survive.
With the season coming to an end, the Cyclones will wave goodbye to Melvin Ejim who was the Big 12 player of the year, and DeAndre Kane who was the Big 12 tournament MVP. These are two major losses for the Clones, but there is definitely some potential for next years team. Naz Long and Monte Morris definitely arose as potential stars, and Georges Niang is already a star for the Cyclones. This was a great year for Iowa State basketball, and hopefully the success will continue.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Cyclones take Big 12 Tourament
The Iowa State Cyclone's men's basketball team just completed one of there tournaments on top, now it's round two. The Cyclone's claimed victor to the Big 12 Tournament this weekend with a victory over Baylor in the finals. This was the second time the Cyclone's won the tournament, the first being in 2000. This title run says that the Clones could do some damage in the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State had not led against Baylor until a three pointer tied it up at 50 a piece late in the second half. The Cyclone's then never looked back. They dominated the Bears for the last part of the second half and showed that they were definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Cyclones go into the NCAA Tournament a #3 seed facing North Carolina Central in the first round. Most experts are picking either Iowa State or the #4 seed Michigan State to win their section of the bracket. The Cyclone's definitely have some threats with the Big 12 player of the year in Melvin Ejim, and the Big 12 Tournament MVP in DeAndre Kane. They also Georges Niang who is a major threat from inside. The Cyclone's pack a heavy punch, and they are really looking to make a name for themselves these next couple weeks.
Iowa State had not led against Baylor until a three pointer tied it up at 50 a piece late in the second half. The Cyclone's then never looked back. They dominated the Bears for the last part of the second half and showed that they were definitely a force to be reckoned with. The Cyclones go into the NCAA Tournament a #3 seed facing North Carolina Central in the first round. Most experts are picking either Iowa State or the #4 seed Michigan State to win their section of the bracket. The Cyclone's definitely have some threats with the Big 12 player of the year in Melvin Ejim, and the Big 12 Tournament MVP in DeAndre Kane. They also Georges Niang who is a major threat from inside. The Cyclone's pack a heavy punch, and they are really looking to make a name for themselves these next couple weeks.
Senden escapes heated race at Snake Pit
John Senden, who has one win on the PGA Tour at the John Deere Classic, looked like a veteran who has one 10 plus times on the tour coming down the stretch Sunday. Senden had former world number one Luke Donald right on his tale, and also 2013 US Open champ Justin Rose. He managed to escape a very tight leaderboard and emerge victorious.
Senden hit what was by far the shot of the tournament on the tough Par-4 16th. He had just hooked a fairway wood off the tee into the trees on the right, then hit a marvelous hook from the pine straw up about 20 yards from the hole. Then he executed what was by definition a perfect shot. Senden hit a beautiful chip that rolled right up to the hole like a putt and dropped. This birdie moved him to six-under, and then he made a long birdie putt on the 17th to move to seven. Then finished the round with a smooth par on the 18th to shoot a solid final round one-under 70. Senden had to watch as Kevin Na birdied the 17th to pull with in one, but was relieved when he missed a long birdie attempt on the 18th which gave him the victory.
Kevin Na, also a one time champion on the PGA Tour, was the only one who scared Senden on the last couple holes. But Na missed judged a pitching-wedge on the 18th which ultimately gave Senden the win. This was still a very good performance for Na, considering all the slow play drama that once again haunted him. But the demons seem to have started to go away, and maybe we will see some more impressive stuff out of Na.
Veterans, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, could not get the job done this weekend, but still there was some good that came out of this tournament for both of them. Rose who is coming off of an injury is showing the world that the injury won't affect him come major time. Donald once held the highest position in golf, but hasn't one in over a year. This tournament showed that he is still very competitive, and maybe he will break through for that first major this year.
The Valspar Championship had an intense finish, that shocked many of the viewers. We as fans can only hope to see this quality of a tournament every Sunday.
Senden hit what was by far the shot of the tournament on the tough Par-4 16th. He had just hooked a fairway wood off the tee into the trees on the right, then hit a marvelous hook from the pine straw up about 20 yards from the hole. Then he executed what was by definition a perfect shot. Senden hit a beautiful chip that rolled right up to the hole like a putt and dropped. This birdie moved him to six-under, and then he made a long birdie putt on the 17th to move to seven. Then finished the round with a smooth par on the 18th to shoot a solid final round one-under 70. Senden had to watch as Kevin Na birdied the 17th to pull with in one, but was relieved when he missed a long birdie attempt on the 18th which gave him the victory.
Kevin Na, also a one time champion on the PGA Tour, was the only one who scared Senden on the last couple holes. But Na missed judged a pitching-wedge on the 18th which ultimately gave Senden the win. This was still a very good performance for Na, considering all the slow play drama that once again haunted him. But the demons seem to have started to go away, and maybe we will see some more impressive stuff out of Na.
Veterans, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, could not get the job done this weekend, but still there was some good that came out of this tournament for both of them. Rose who is coming off of an injury is showing the world that the injury won't affect him come major time. Donald once held the highest position in golf, but hasn't one in over a year. This tournament showed that he is still very competitive, and maybe he will break through for that first major this year.
The Valspar Championship had an intense finish, that shocked many of the viewers. We as fans can only hope to see this quality of a tournament every Sunday.
Significance of golf marketing
Why is it so important that golf companies to have as many PGA Tour player's using their clubs? What does it do for the golf industry?
These questions can be answered with a simple and common answer. The laws of money. Competition between companies brings in money to them. When you watch ESPN or primarily the golf channel, you will notice all the advertisements for brands of golf clubs and apparel. This makes the viewer believe that one company is better than the other, or since this professional uses these clubs then I must. Since there are so many companies, and not every tour player uses only one specific ball or one specific driver, then there is not really a difference in performance from company to company.
One of the biggest marketing tricks performed recently in the golfing world was Rory McIlroy's switch to Nike from Titleist. This switch made it so that him and Tiger Woods were both with Nike, and that way the two best players in the world used the same brand. Tiger had pretty much built Nike's golf success by using their brand for a very long time and winning most of his tournaments while using them. Nike is starting to come out with some very good products, their resin golf balls (20Xi-X and S) have proven to be competitive with Titleist Pro-V1's and Taylormade Penta's and Lethal's. And their Method series putters have also shown to be as good as Scotty Cameron's or Odyssey putters. When Nike signed Rory they boosted well up in the golf business world, even our local golf courses put them on the racks. The new Covert driver by Nike has become a huge success taking much of the spin off of the tee. Their products have seemed to become better, and much more recognizable now that they have both Tiger and Rory working for them. When a company sign's PGA Tour professionals to their label, they start to get more and more business because if those pro's are switching then I probably should as well.
A fast rising company in the world of golf is Adams. They are a company who has had some success over the years, but it has been mostly with players from other companies using their hybrids, and not all of their clubs. Adams has also found a lot of success on the Champions Tour, and not so much the PGA Tour, but they are quickly rising. Adams has just recently signed multiple time major champion Ernie Els, and now that they have the "Big Easy" their products are looking good for everyone. Some pro's like Aaron Baddely and Robert Garrigus have used Adams products for a few years now, but they are starting to make a footprint on the tour, and that has caused a big increase in sales. Many of the stores did not used to carry all of the Adams lines, but now you can find pretty much all of their clubs wherever you go.
Their is a big competition in the golf markets to sign PGA Tour professionals. This will make your company more popular and increase sales.
These questions can be answered with a simple and common answer. The laws of money. Competition between companies brings in money to them. When you watch ESPN or primarily the golf channel, you will notice all the advertisements for brands of golf clubs and apparel. This makes the viewer believe that one company is better than the other, or since this professional uses these clubs then I must. Since there are so many companies, and not every tour player uses only one specific ball or one specific driver, then there is not really a difference in performance from company to company.
One of the biggest marketing tricks performed recently in the golfing world was Rory McIlroy's switch to Nike from Titleist. This switch made it so that him and Tiger Woods were both with Nike, and that way the two best players in the world used the same brand. Tiger had pretty much built Nike's golf success by using their brand for a very long time and winning most of his tournaments while using them. Nike is starting to come out with some very good products, their resin golf balls (20Xi-X and S) have proven to be competitive with Titleist Pro-V1's and Taylormade Penta's and Lethal's. And their Method series putters have also shown to be as good as Scotty Cameron's or Odyssey putters. When Nike signed Rory they boosted well up in the golf business world, even our local golf courses put them on the racks. The new Covert driver by Nike has become a huge success taking much of the spin off of the tee. Their products have seemed to become better, and much more recognizable now that they have both Tiger and Rory working for them. When a company sign's PGA Tour professionals to their label, they start to get more and more business because if those pro's are switching then I probably should as well.
A fast rising company in the world of golf is Adams. They are a company who has had some success over the years, but it has been mostly with players from other companies using their hybrids, and not all of their clubs. Adams has also found a lot of success on the Champions Tour, and not so much the PGA Tour, but they are quickly rising. Adams has just recently signed multiple time major champion Ernie Els, and now that they have the "Big Easy" their products are looking good for everyone. Some pro's like Aaron Baddely and Robert Garrigus have used Adams products for a few years now, but they are starting to make a footprint on the tour, and that has caused a big increase in sales. Many of the stores did not used to carry all of the Adams lines, but now you can find pretty much all of their clubs wherever you go.
Their is a big competition in the golf markets to sign PGA Tour professionals. This will make your company more popular and increase sales.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Jimmy Walker escapes tough field at Pebble
Jimmy Walker entered Sunday with a six shot advantage at -13 over Hunter Mahan and Tim Wilkinson, his nearest competition. Walker has already won twice this season, and he made it a fourth.
Walker turned nine with still a four shot lead at -14, but found trouble down the stretch at tough and famed Pebble beach. Dustin Johnson and Jim Renner both made charges up the leaderboard and got to -10, leaving all the deciding to Walker. Walker bogeyed 10, 12, 13, and 17 on the back. The lowest he got was -11, and that is where he finished after squeaking in a five footer on the 18th. Jimmy can't be too satisfied with his finish, but he got the job done, and his third win of the season. Johnson shot a final round low of 66, and Renner shot 67. Both have to be satisfied with at least putting some pressure on the distant leader.
Some of the players with in touching distance just couldn't get the job done on the final round. Hunter Mahan, the multiple time winner on the PGA Tour, was one of the big names that just couldn't find what it took to catch Walker. Mahan came into the final round closer to Walker than everyone else, and for a while looked like the one who could catch him, but down the back nine, like Walker, Mahan just could not find the necessities to finish it. Mahan miss hit multiple shots, and ended up shooting an even par 72. Tim Wilkinson was tied with Mahan at -7 going into the day, and he ended up shooting a final round 73 to finish in a tie for seventh at -6.
Jimmy Walker outlasted the field to squeak out a one shot lead, after leading by six to start the round. On a tough Pebble Beach course, with a tournament full of delays and suspended rounds, Walker has to be over joyed with the win this week.
Walker turned nine with still a four shot lead at -14, but found trouble down the stretch at tough and famed Pebble beach. Dustin Johnson and Jim Renner both made charges up the leaderboard and got to -10, leaving all the deciding to Walker. Walker bogeyed 10, 12, 13, and 17 on the back. The lowest he got was -11, and that is where he finished after squeaking in a five footer on the 18th. Jimmy can't be too satisfied with his finish, but he got the job done, and his third win of the season. Johnson shot a final round low of 66, and Renner shot 67. Both have to be satisfied with at least putting some pressure on the distant leader.
Some of the players with in touching distance just couldn't get the job done on the final round. Hunter Mahan, the multiple time winner on the PGA Tour, was one of the big names that just couldn't find what it took to catch Walker. Mahan came into the final round closer to Walker than everyone else, and for a while looked like the one who could catch him, but down the back nine, like Walker, Mahan just could not find the necessities to finish it. Mahan miss hit multiple shots, and ended up shooting an even par 72. Tim Wilkinson was tied with Mahan at -7 going into the day, and he ended up shooting a final round 73 to finish in a tie for seventh at -6.
Jimmy Walker outlasted the field to squeak out a one shot lead, after leading by six to start the round. On a tough Pebble Beach course, with a tournament full of delays and suspended rounds, Walker has to be over joyed with the win this week.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Young guns of golf, the emerging faces of the game
There are many young golfers who dream to be Tiger Woods, or wish they could just compete against him. But there are the few who get that chance, and they aren't much older than the dreamers. Names like Jordan Speith, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Ryo Ishikawa, Hideki Matsuyama, Jessica Korda, Lexi Thompson, and Michelle Wie are the ones you hear. These are the ones who have made those dreams realities, and are starting to challenge the very best in the game.
The biggest name on this list would have to be Rory McIlroy. Rory came into the picture when he was still a teenager. He has one two major championships (2011 US Open, and 2012 PGA), and is a formerly ranked world number one. He has 11 professional wins at the age of 24, and hasn't quit. Rory has been labeled the next great one, and is expected to overthrow Tiger. The fact that he will or not is definitely up for concern, but there is no doubt this kid is good. Rory for how young he is, can compete with any golfer in the world, and he was at one point the best in the game. There is plenty more to come from this kid, and do not be surprised if you see him sitting a top the rankings later in his career.
Hideki Matsuyama, unlike Rory, is building his name. He's a player who people who watch a large amount of golf know, but he isn't yet a household name. Matsuyama was able to compete in the Masters as an amateur at the age of 18, he was low amateur, and therefore was invited back to compete the following year. He played on the 2013 President's Cup Team, and has had some success on the PGA Tour. He does not have a win on the PGA Tour, but it won't be a shock if he gets in the circle in 2014.
Jordan Spieth is a common name around any house that pays attention to golf. That kid who won a national championship at Texas, and then turned pro. Yeah, that's Jordan. He got a win in 2013 at the John Deere Open in the Quad Cities, defeating Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a playoff. Spieth was also on the President's Cup Team in 2013 along side Johnson, and competed against Matsuyama. Spieth, though only 20 years old, can compete with anyone, and I predict he will win a major in 2014.
Everyone knows who the "Big Wiesie" is. Also known by her real name, Michelle Wie was at one point the face of the future for the LPGA Tour. She was going to be the first girl to compete in the Masters. So maybe her father got her in a wrong mind set, and has caused a few issues for Michelle to grow as a player. But we all remember that fast swinging, smooth rolling little girl who just appeared one day and never left. Well Michelle never really developed into the player everyone was expecting, and now there is a new generation of women golfers that have replaced what could have been her story. Jessica Korda and Lexi Thompson are just two of the young women golfers that have emerged. Korda being 20, and Thomspon being 18 both have won a couple of times this early on in their careers. Korda has two professional wins, while Thomspon has five. And both of them have competed in the Solheim Cup, and are the faces of American golf. They both inspire many young players to reach the dreams, and that anything is possible.
Many of these young emerging golfers have already reached their dreams, and all of them continue to inspire many young golfers who wish to be them. The game is going into a good direction, with these players leading the way.
The biggest name on this list would have to be Rory McIlroy. Rory came into the picture when he was still a teenager. He has one two major championships (2011 US Open, and 2012 PGA), and is a formerly ranked world number one. He has 11 professional wins at the age of 24, and hasn't quit. Rory has been labeled the next great one, and is expected to overthrow Tiger. The fact that he will or not is definitely up for concern, but there is no doubt this kid is good. Rory for how young he is, can compete with any golfer in the world, and he was at one point the best in the game. There is plenty more to come from this kid, and do not be surprised if you see him sitting a top the rankings later in his career.
Hideki Matsuyama, unlike Rory, is building his name. He's a player who people who watch a large amount of golf know, but he isn't yet a household name. Matsuyama was able to compete in the Masters as an amateur at the age of 18, he was low amateur, and therefore was invited back to compete the following year. He played on the 2013 President's Cup Team, and has had some success on the PGA Tour. He does not have a win on the PGA Tour, but it won't be a shock if he gets in the circle in 2014.
Jordan Spieth is a common name around any house that pays attention to golf. That kid who won a national championship at Texas, and then turned pro. Yeah, that's Jordan. He got a win in 2013 at the John Deere Open in the Quad Cities, defeating Zach Johnson and David Hearn in a playoff. Spieth was also on the President's Cup Team in 2013 along side Johnson, and competed against Matsuyama. Spieth, though only 20 years old, can compete with anyone, and I predict he will win a major in 2014.
Everyone knows who the "Big Wiesie" is. Also known by her real name, Michelle Wie was at one point the face of the future for the LPGA Tour. She was going to be the first girl to compete in the Masters. So maybe her father got her in a wrong mind set, and has caused a few issues for Michelle to grow as a player. But we all remember that fast swinging, smooth rolling little girl who just appeared one day and never left. Well Michelle never really developed into the player everyone was expecting, and now there is a new generation of women golfers that have replaced what could have been her story. Jessica Korda and Lexi Thompson are just two of the young women golfers that have emerged. Korda being 20, and Thomspon being 18 both have won a couple of times this early on in their careers. Korda has two professional wins, while Thomspon has five. And both of them have competed in the Solheim Cup, and are the faces of American golf. They both inspire many young players to reach the dreams, and that anything is possible.
Many of these young emerging golfers have already reached their dreams, and all of them continue to inspire many young golfers who wish to be them. The game is going into a good direction, with these players leading the way.
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