A round to remember
April 17, 2006If you're unfortunate to be addicted to the game of golf, then you know what I'm talking about.
It's the day you dream of. The day when your drives sail into the middle of fairways, your iron shots don't hook out-of -bounds and your chips don't fly over the green.
Then you knock down a couple of 20-footers on top of that.
I've never professed to being anything better than a hack golfer, one that hopes to break 100 every time out.
My best score was a 92 I once shot. Until Saturday.
First - Archer City's course isn't real long, nor is it too difficult.
Second - I will own up to two mulligans.
But I torched the par-70 course, finishing with a surprising 81.
I've shown promise in certain aspects of my game, only to have others fail me during a round. On Saturday, everything clicked. And I'm still living off that high.
I plan to go golfing again on Wednesday - probably to River Creek. And I know what's going to happen. I may not break 100, while scattering balls all over the course.
But no one can take that 81 away from me.
Posted by Zach Duncan at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Track thoughts
April 15, 2006GOOD - The effort: In what other sport do you see most of the competitors so physically exhausted that they can’t stand or walk. Let’s face it. Running isn’t the most glamorous sport, and these athletes push their bodies to the max.
BAD - The execution: I’m sure Denison tried its best, but it wasn’t the best-run meet I’ve ever seen. It started 35 minutes later than expected, and had some long gaps in between.
Then, somehow, the boys’ coaches had to stand around for 30 minutes afterward to see who won because there was some sort of error compiling points from a field event. It was unorganized, to say the least.
GOOD - The coaches: These people are so unsung it’s not even funny. First off, with prelims, field events and finals, these meets last almost 12 hours. And coaching is one of the only tasks they have. Coaches also have to keep up with the whereabouts of 20-30 kids, making sure they check-in in time and don’t wander off.
BAD - My forgetfulness: First, I print off the directions to the stadium, but leave them at work. I realize this when I’m in Nocona. No biggie, although I had to stop for directions twice.
But I also forgot my lawn chair, so standing for 5 hours isn’t the best thing for your back. And that’s on top of the four-drive roundtrip drive. Oh well.
GOOD - The Youth: Wichita Falls and the area around it has produced only one gold medalist at
state in the last two years (Graham’s Dan Schmidt - discus).
Who knows what this year will bring, but there’s a bunch of kids who will make repeat trips to Austin. The entire WFHS girls team is coming back, and WFHS’ Isaiah Anderson, who hasn’t lost in the 100 this year, is a soph.
And keep an eye on this name - Katie Grimes of Graham. The freshman won five golds at the 5-3A meet and has some pretty salty times on our track honor roll.
Also, kudos to the Rider, Graham and Holliday boys, and the WFHS and Graham girls for their district titles. I can’t wait for regionals.
Posted by Zach Duncan at 01:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Playoff hockey
April 12, 2006I have my favorite times of the year. Football season ranks highly, for sure.
March Madness is also up there. And the World Cup, which cycles only every four years (and is only a couple months away), tops the list.
But there's also a two-month gap coming up where one sport is at its finest. For those hockey enthusiasts, you know what I'm talking about.
Playoff Hockey.
Is there anything more tantalizing? Where every goal is huge, where every shot has three bodies flying in front of it, where the checks are crisp and the tension crisper.
What other sport can go into five overtimes?
I mention this because I witnessed my first taste of playoff hockey the last two weeks, covering the Wildcats in an entertaining best-of-5 series.
Wichita Falls lost, but it played the underdog role to a T, battling hard for every loose puck until the final whistle blew.
It was great stuff.
And so now, I have to wait another couple of weeks until the Stars open the playoffs. It'll be hard, but I'll be able to manage.
Posted by Zach Duncan at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
