TERRE HAUTE —
There is a lot of excitement brewing with professional golf on the men’s side right now, with the finals of the FedEx Cup playoffs this weekend in Atlanta to be followed by the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club near Chicago. TV executives had to be salivating over the upcoming revenue to be generated from the high-profile players who made the cut for the FedEx finals, and that many of them would also be playing the following week in the Ryder Cup. Of the top 10 players in the FedEx Cup, only Louis Oosthuizen and Nick Watney won’t be playing in the Ryder Cup.
The FedEx Cup, a year-end playoffs event for the PGA tour, was created to make some excitement, and I’m sure generate some television revenue. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem must be thrilled with how well the playoffs are going, in their sixth year, the most exciting year yet. There are two reasons for that excitement: the big names that are still in the hunt, with the ability to win the whole caboodle, and the reset of points for the top 30, which is why those top players have any chance to win at all. If the scoring were still done the way it was in the beginning, Rory McIlroy would have had the FedEx Cup in a virtual lock by now, due to his two wins in the playoff events. (The closest player to him in points after the BMW Championship was 3,232 points behind.) Instead, he goes into the FedEx Cup with the highest amount of points at 2,500 which won’t be enough if any of the players ranked 2-5 wins on Sunday.
With the redistribution of points, first place gets 2,500, Tiger Woods who is in second, gets 2,250 points, Nick Watney gets 2,000 for third, Phil Mickelson in 4th gets 1,800, and Brandt Snedeker gets 1,600 for fifth. If any of those five win in Atlanta, they will also win The FedEx Cup. After third place, the points are decreased by increments of 200, so that 6th place gets 1,400 points, and 10th place gets 600 points. At 11th place, which received 480 points, points decrease by 20, until 19th place where they decrease by 10, so that the 30th player receives 210 points.
At the end of last year’s FedEx Cup, a very surprised Bill Haas claimed the $10 million in bonus money after winning the TOUR Championship (plus a million for the tournament too). He had come into that tournament 25th in the points standings, and 3,473 points behind first place. He knew that it was mathematically possible for him to win the cup with a 1st or 2nd place in that tournament, but that it took some players ahead of him faltering for that to happen. A win at Atlanta gave him 2,500 points, for a total of 2,760 points. That surpassed Webb Simpson by 15 points after Webb placed 22nd at the TOUR Championship, when he had started the tournament with the lead, but garnered only 245 more points. (Just how big was that shot Haas played out of the water on the second playoff hole, to save a par and go on to win? BIG!)
The next two weekends are going to be exciting for golf fans. There is such a strong field for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola this weekend, great golf is going to be in abundance. And the Ryder Cup always gets our American competitive juices going. These players are playing for honor, not money. They’re playing for each other and for their country. It’s worth a lot more to them than anything money could buy. Enjoy!
Quote of the Day: " “I don’t think we’re uncomfortable with that phenomenon,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem when asked about someone else winning the FedEx Cup besides Rory McIlroy, who has won two playoff events.
Vigo County golf leagues
Marks Par Three Senior Men’s — Longest Putt: Larry Jennings. Closest to the Pin: Tom Price. Closest to the pin on second shot: Lelan Higgenbotham. Low Gross: Bill Turner 33 Low Net: Bill Turner 27. Team standings: The North Siders, Old National Bank, Dew Drop Inn, Rollie’s Pizza, Tabco, Mattingly South, Watts Farms, Vigo Bowl, Dorsett Mitsubishi, Mattingly North.
Riverbend at The Landing Ladies — Low gross: Mid Rusk. Low net: Molly Ellingsworth, Marlene Persinger. Low putts: Mid Rusk, Sharon Nicoson. Play of the day: Pam Williams, Mid Rusk.
Home Builders Tuesday — Low gross: Dave Earley 40, Rusty Gray 41. Low net: John Keller 32, Roy Longstreth 32. Closest to pin: Dana Hinrichs (No. 3, No. 9). Long putt: Scott Maxwell (No. 7).
Ladies Tuesday Morning — First-place team: Sue Welch, Mary Brannen, Debbie Holcomb, Pam Hodge 35. Closest to pin: Layton (No. 3), Hodge (No. 9). Long putt: Layton (No. 5).
Terminal Sports and Spirits Wednesday Evening — First-place team: Zach Wilhoyte, John Cesinger, Jared Wright 32. Second-place team: Scott Logan, Denise Rowlett, Dave Rowlett 37. Closest to pin: De.Rowlett (No. 3), Logan (No. 9).
Sports Columns
ON AND OFF THE COURSE: FedEx Cup playoffs heating up
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TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
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TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
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From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
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There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
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TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
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KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
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College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
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Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
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Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
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Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
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Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
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TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
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FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. -
FROM THE PRESSBOX: NCAA got it right with Louisville in Indianapolis
The worst decision and the best decisions made by the NCAA Tournament selection committee shared space on Lucas Oil Stadium’s hardwood Friday night.
The Midwest Regional’s opener pitted Louisville and Oregon, two teams that were on the opposite sides of the NCAA’s coin on Selection Sunday.
Oregon, winner of the Pac-12 Tournament and Pac-12 runner-up in the regular season, was shockingly seeded 12th in the Midwest Region. -
ANDY AMEY: Farewell to basketball
I believe you’ve heard me say before — just about a year ago, perhaps — that a boys high school basketball season that ends with the Tribune-Star in Bankers Life Fieldhouse can’t be considered a bad one, which is why we have a little celebrating to do thanks to the Linton Miners.
Lover of irony that I am, I’ve also got to point out that this season was another branch sprouting from the Wabash Valley’s most legendary coaching tree, that of Joe Hart.
Joe never got much credit for his work at Dugger, but he took Brody Boyd, Clark Golish and the Bulldogs to a state championship game in 2000, and since then three of his former players — Joe Pigg, Clint Swan and now Joey Hart, his son — also have coached teams in the final game of the season.
Joe probably wishes he could take credit for Doc Nash, another down-home type who gave a banjo lesson earlier Saturday in leading Borden past a bigger, more athletic Triton team (banjo lesson is a Howard Sharpism, for you younger readers), but his lineage is still the best I can think of around here. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Field down to 16 — but one No. 1 is out
The field is down to 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with most of the top teams still in the field.
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