Not Yet Golfed Out

Here we are in round 2 of the big golf tournaments in the Lowcountry. The Senior PGA was a treat last week on Kiawah Island. Great weather, decent golf, and a good finish on Sunday. Before we talk about the LPGA's Ginn Tribute there's more local sports news out today.
College of Charleston Athletic Director Jerry Baker resigned his position today. Curiously, his boss at the CofC wasn't willing to talk.....or even return a phone call or email about his resignation. Sources have said for quite some time that Baker was being pushed out at the CofC and Baker's only comment was that "this is the right time to move on." If that's true then why wouldn't his boss want to talk about how much he'll be missed?

We were offered an interview with John Kresse, which is great, except he's not Baker's boss. That would be Fred Daniels who didn't even call to say he declined an interview....he had the schools Media Relations person do it for him. Whether or not in the end he was the right person right now for the job, Baker did help the Cougars make the transition to Division I a highly successful one. He hired John Pawlowski, Sherry Dunbar, and other coaches who have had NCAA Tournament success. I hear nothing but good things about the school's new President George Benson, but when an Athletic Director resigns after 15 years at the school shouldn't someone say SOMETHING?
Back to golf and it will be interesting to see what the crowds are like when the tourney tees off tomorrow at Rivertowne CC. While the PGA wouldn't say it, you got the feeling they were disappointed in the crowds at the Ocean Course. I still say it's a pretty good buy... for $30 this week you can watch golf from 7:30am to 7:30pm and get to see mother nature at her best.
As for the North Dakota fact o' the day. The largest city is Fargo with over 91,000 people (however since Fargo is right on the border of Minnesota it's actually considered the Fargo-Moorhead metro area which would add 34,000)

SoCon, Seniors, and the NCAA's

A busy week of local sports just got a little less busy. The College of Charleston loses to Appalachian State this morning in the loser's bracket of the SoCon Baseball Tournament so the College will have to wait until Monday to see if they get an at large bid to the NCAA. Not sure if Western Carolina's 2 and out scenario in the tourney will help or hurt the Cougs. The two top seeds are now going head to head for an at large bid.
The Ocean Course is the story of the week so far at the Senior PGA Championship, thanks to mother nature. The winds are howling and today's first round scores are showing it. Should be fun to watch this weekend as the wind is supposed to keep blowing. As for the best interviews on the Champions Tour? Jay Haas, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Price, Loren Roberts, and Fuzzy Zoeller. Most of the players are actually very corgial just don't ask Tom Kite about anything, some golfers get surly after 50 apparently.
As for our North Dakota fact o' the day.....The University of North Dakota's most famous athlete alumni? Phil Jackson played basketball at UND and is now the coach of the Lakers.
Comments, questions, or concerns? email jmorton@wciv.com

Old Guy Golf or the LPGA?

So if you had a choice and could only attend one of the two golf events coming to the Lowcountry in the next few weeks which would it be....the Senior PGA at Kiawah Island or the LPGA's Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika? Let's compare. The Ocean Course will host the Sr. PGA and despite its youth the course has a lot of history. The 1991 Ryder Cup will be on the minds of plenty of players next week. If you've ever played the course when it's windy you know we may hear a lot of grumblings from the over 50 crowd next week. Rivertowne CC hosts the Ginn Tribute and it's a young course as well. Built by Arnold Palmer it's gotten better every year since it was built. The advantage here is easy - the Ocean Course.
As for the money up for grabs. The LPGA and Bobby Ginn offering up the big bucks - $2.6 million total. The Sr. PGA gives out $2 million. Advantage Ginn Tribute.
The award for the biggest name to possibly skip playing the tournament? Ginn Tribute Hosted by Annika when Annika herself is looking like she'll miss the tourney with a back injury. Give her credit, though she still plans on being in Charleston regardless. Greg Norman withdrew earlier this week from the Sr. PGA for "personal reasons". Advantage here has to go to LPGA and Annika and if Michelle Wie is too injured then they really take the cake.
So which ticket would you rather have? I'd rather see the PGA but I'll have to wait until 2012.

Cougars, Bulldogs, and Tigers Oh My!

Another week another SoCon series win for College of Charleston baseball. The Cougars became the first team since 1998 to sweep the Citadel at Riley Park. Think about that - pretty incredible on both sides. Says a lot about the Citadel program and how good it's been, but it speaks volumes about the Cougars ascension to the kings of college baseball in this city. The Cougs have won more than 45 games the past 3 seasons and appear to be on their way to a fourth. The atmosphere at Riley Park Friday and Saturday night was great, even though most of the fans were just showing up early for the Riverdogs game. I heard a fan behind me on Saturday night tell his buddy how great college baseball is, even a 15-11 game. I do like the college game but 15-11 is ridiculous. I'd much rather watch a minor league 4-3 ballgame. Too bad the Cougars can't host a regional because after making the Super Regionals a year ago it would be fun to see them play host.
Tis the season for spring meetings for USC and Clemson fans and alumni. The Tigers kicked things off in the Lowcountry Monday night with a purple shirted Tommy Bowden. The thing that I like about Coach Bowden is that he addresses what fans are thinking head on......at least most of the time. (See the story at : http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0407/419175.html) Last night he admitted the tour of the state was a little tougher this spring after losing to USC and the poor finish the Tigers had to 2006. He also wore his purple, not orange shirt. He joked that after losing to USC and wearing purple it may be too much for the crowd to handle. Gamecocks get their turn Wednesday night I think we can be sure that Steve Spurrier won't wear orange or purple.
Time for our North Dakota fact of the week. (For an explanation see the last post or listen to Fantalk on ESPN Radio 910 the Team from 3-6pm Monday thru Friday.)
An attempt to drop the word North from the state name was defeated by the 1947 Legislative Assembly. Again in 1989 the Legislature rejected two resolutions intended to rename the state Dakota
Apparently they thought removing North would make people forget it was really cold in the wintertime.
Any thoughts or comments please email: jmorton@wciv.com