I LEARNED THE hard way during the recent World Cup that trying to record sporting events and stay away from all knowledge of scores or happenings while working as a member of the news media is basically an impossible task.
The dreary, wet weather for the 2010 Ryder Cup over in Wales made a mess of the course and the schedule all weekend, eventually pushing Sunday’s final round of singles matches back to early Monday morning.
A full slate of social events during the weekend and a desire to get my first full eight hours of sleep in about a week, prevented me from getting up well before dawn to watch on Monday.
The European side’s huge day on Sunday and three-point lead heading into Monday may have also contributed to hitting the snooze on a live viewing.
So I thought I would tempt fate and record the final day, try to avoid my usual web haunts during the day, and see what was what after work.
That train derailed about 30 minutes into my workday when I foolishly clicked the Associated Press’ “Breaking News” alert on my computer.
You can guess what the breaking news was: the Euro’s hanging on to win 14 ½ to 13 ½ after a furious charge by the Americans, including a coming-of-age performance by Rickie Fowler.
Fowler, known more for his goofy haircut and clothing combinations than his PGA Tour play, rallied from four holes down after 12 holes, with birdies on the final four holes to keep the U.S. alive and halve his match.
Rickie’s got some game.
Now he just needs to ditch that ridiculous haircut.
Take my advice and just get up and watch if you have a big sporting event starting at an awful hour.
It will usually be worth the aggravation caused by a day (or a half-hour) of avoidance.
Say fore for a reason
An unintended shot by Tiger Woods on the final hole of his fourball match on Saturday reminds me of a particularly “scarring” moment from my childhood.
If you haven’t seen the shot, Tiger hit an errant chip on the final hole of his match on Saturday, which was captured on film coming straight at the camera lens and the photographer.
There’s also a mustached, cigar-chomping gallery member in the upper right-hand corner that has the Internet ablaze with laughter.
You can view the photo and watch a video interview at http://tiny.cc/bjsfw.
Why does this photo remind me of my childhood?
I grew up on a dead-end street in Port Townsend with no other kids but my neighbor, 10 years my senior.
I tagged along as much as I could, always running over to shoot hoops or throw a football with him and his buddies.
We also played home-run derby with tennis balls.
One day when I was about 7 or 8, we ran out of tennis balls and made the brilliant decision to switch to playing baseball with golf balls.
There’s an old joke that “it’s all fun and games until somebody loses an eye.”
That didn’t quite happen but you can guess what happens next.
I threw a pitch and the last thing I remember is a small white dot heading rapidly towards my face.
Unconscious for a few minutes, I remember running home, unable to see out of my right eye and with blood streaming down my face.
The next thing I recall is waking up in the hospital with the beginnings of the biggest black eye I have ever had in my life.
Turns out the line drive had missed my eye by less than an inch, caroming off my right eyebrow and causing a fractured orbital bone (eye socket).
Too bad this happened in the summer, the eye patch I wore for about a week would have been a great start on a pirate costume for Halloween.
The scar is still there but thankfully, its covered by my bushy right eyebrow.
Elks help scholars
The Port Townsend Elks Lodge will host its annual Elks Tournament at Port Townsend Golf Club on Saturday.
This tourney raises funds for scholarships for area students.
The two-man best ball competition will tee off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
There will be gross and net prizes in both Elk and guest divisions but you don’t have to be an Elk member to play.
Fees are $40 for members of Port Townsend Golf Club and $45 for nonmembers.
Lunch is included in the price.
For more information, phone the clubhouse at 360-385-4547.
Golftoberfest slated
Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course, 1965 Woodcock Road in Sequim, will have Golftoberfest on Sunday.
The five-person scramble-format tournament is set up for players of all handicaps, and tees off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
For $70, entrants receive 27 holes of golf, range balls, use of carts with GPS, cigars and beer stations on the course at three-hole intervals and a tasty German-style lunch.
Nine holes are alternate shot, nine holes are scramble-format and nine holes are best-ball.
Golftoberfest also has a KP contest and $1,500 in prizes (based on a 100-person field).
The tournament will have three divisions: Gross, Net and Callaway, and if players choose to walk the course, the fee is lowered to $60.
All those interested in pretzels, schnitzels, brews and birdies can contact the Cedars pro shop at 360-683-6344.
Someday I’ll get over to the real Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
I’m a firm believer that any time a unique cultural event provides the opportunity to alternatively sweat from eating too much meat and drinking too much beer, you have to indulge.
Family Scramble
SkyRidge Golf Course of Sequim will hold a Family Scramble Golf Tournament starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16.
The event is open to all blood relations or those related by marriage.
Requirements are a bit looser for this tournament.
You can play with your GHIN handicap or not, be young or old, good or bad at the game. The main thing is to get out and play.
The first 36 teams are welcome to play the 18-hole two-person scramble.
Cost is $90 per team and includes gross and net honey pots, range balls, KP’s, team long putt and lunch.
Special events are available for $5, and there will be a gross-only skins game.
Carts are available for $13 a seat.
To register or for more information, phone SkyRidge at 360-683-3673.
Steal of a deal
With the downright reasonable weather we have been enjoying lately, Port Ludlow Golf Club’s 18 holes with cart deals look better and better.
Customers can play Tide and Timber with a cart for just $39 Monday through Thursday, provided players schedule tee times before 9 a.m. and after 1 p.m.
Friday through Sunday the rate bumps up to $49 but players can play anytime.
Port Ludlow also has a prepaid golf plan where customers can lock in three rounds for $99 without a cart and $129 with a cart.
Coupons for either deal are available at http://tiny.cc/obaacrvj0y.
For more information on Port Ludlow, phone 360-437-0272 or 888-793-1195.
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Michael Carman is the golf columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. He can be reached at 360-417-3527 or at pdngolf@gmail.com.