＜速報＞笠りつ子が逆転で今季初優勝！ツアー通算2勝目を挙げる

2012年04月01日15時32分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 笠　りつ子 -3
2 イエ・リーイン -1
一ノ瀬　優希 -1
服部　真夕 -1
茂木　宏美 -1
6 ジョン・ミジョン 0
ヤング・キム 0
8 キム・ソヒ +1
N・キャンベル +1
10 井芹　美保子 +2


順位の続きを見る





難しいコンディションの中“68”をマークして優勝（撮影：ＡＬＢＡ）






＜ヤマハレディースオープン葛城　最終日◇1日◇葛城ゴルフ倶楽部(6,587ヤード・パー72)＞

　静岡県にある葛城ゴルフ倶楽部で開催された「ヤマハレディースオープン葛城」の最終日。首位とは4打差でスタートした笠りつ子が、強風の中6バーディ・2ボギーとスコアを4つ伸ばし、トータル3アンダーでフィニッシュ。逆転で今季初優勝、昨年の「ニトリレディス」以来となるツアー通算2勝目を挙げた。

撮れたてトーナメントLIVE写真館

　2位タイは服部真夕ら4選手、横峯さくらはトータル5オーバー21位タイ、斉藤愛璃はトータル13オーバー65位タイに終わった。

【最終結果】
優勝：笠りつ子(-3)
2位T：葉莉英（イエ・リーイン）(-1)
2位T：一ノ瀬優希(-1)
2位T：茂木宏美(-1)
2位T：服部真夕(-1)
6位T：ヤング・キム(E)
6位T：全美貞(ジョン・ミジョン)(E)
8位T：キム・ソヒ(+1)
8位T：ニッキー・キャンベル(+1)
10位T：原江里菜(+2)他6名

21位T：横峯さくら(+5)他7名
65位T：斉藤愛璃(+13)他3名

遼、予選ラウンドは諸藤、武藤と同組 フジサンケイクラシック

2012年08月29日10時33分




＜フジサンケイクラシック　事前情報◇29日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)＞

　国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」が山梨県にある富士桜カントリー倶楽部を舞台に30日(木)開幕を迎える。

　予選ラウンドの組み合わせが発表され、09年、10年と連覇を達成している石川遼はディフェンディングチャンピオンの諸藤将次、今季好調の武藤俊憲と同組で12時40分にスタートとなった。

　池田勇太は宮本勝昌、河野晃一郎と同組で12時20分に10番スタート、藤本佳則は谷口徹らと同組で12時30分に10番スタートとなった。

遼、「しっかりと良い準備はできている」フジサンケイC明日開幕

2012年08月29日17時17分






難解な富士桜のグリーン、改良中のパッティングで制することが出来るか（撮影：ＡＬＢＡ）






＜フジサンケイクラシック　事前情報◇29日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)＞

　国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」が、山梨県にある富士桜カントリー倶楽部を舞台に30日(木)開幕。昨年は台風の影響で36ホールの短縮競技となったが、諸藤将次が短期決戦を制してツアー初優勝。今年はディフェンディングチャンピオンの諸藤をはじめ09年、10年覇者の石川遼、池田勇太、藤田寛之、藤本佳則らが参戦。富士の麓で熱い戦いを繰り広げる。

【関連リンク】石川遼の1打速報でリアルタイムにスコアをチェック！

　先週の「VanaH杯KBCオーガスタ」で予選落ちを喫した石川は、この日プロアマに出場し最終調整を行った。昨日の9ホールとあわせて、計27ホールまわった石川は「グリーンが少し軟らかい。これから硬くなっていくのかな。スピードは速いです。すごく難しいなと思いました」と、グリーン上を警戒した。

　昨年は大会3連覇を目指して臨んだが、短縮競技にリズムをつかめず5打差の5位タイに終わった。石川は「勝てるように頑張りますし、しっかりと良い準備はできている。あとは初日の入り方が非常に大事なので、精神的にもいい準備が整った状態でスタートしたいです」と今年の意気込みを語った。

　予選ラウンド初日、石川は、諸藤と今季好調の武藤俊憲と同組で12時40分に10番ティからスタートする。

＜速報＞小田孔明が4連続バーディ！大会3度目制覇目指す遼もスタート

2012年08月30日13時08分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 宮本　勝昌 -6
2 山下　和宏 -4
3 イ・スンホ -3
P・マークセン -3
岩田　寛 -3
C・プラポール -3
白潟　英純 -3
薗田　峻輔 -3
上平　栄道 -3
10 Ｄ・スメイル -2


順位の続きを見る


＜フジサンケイクラシック　初日◇30日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)＞

　国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」が山梨県にある富士桜カントリー倶楽部で開幕した。

　午前組がほぼプレーを終えて、岩田寛、プラヤド・マークセン(タイ)らが3アンダーと上位につけた。午後スタートの小田孔明がスタートから4連続バーディを奪い現時点で4アンダー首位となっている。

　09年、10年大会チャンピオンの石川遼は12時40分にINコースからスタート。10番はパーで終えている。

＜中間速報＞遼は前半イーブンパー、首位は小田と宮本

2012年08月30日15時12分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア1 宮本　勝昌 -6
2 山下　和宏 -4
3 イ・スンホ -3
P・マークセン -3
岩田　寛 -3
C・プラポール -3
白潟　英純 -3
薗田　峻輔 -3
上平　栄道 -3
10 Ｄ・スメイル -2


順位の続きを見る


＜フジサンケイクラシック　初日◇30日◇富士桜カントリー倶楽部(7,437ヤード・パー71)＞

　国内男子ツアー「フジサンケイクラシック」が山梨県にある富士桜カントリー倶楽部で開幕。09年、10年大会チャンピオンの石川遼がハーフのプレーを終了。1バーディ・1ボギーのイーブンパーで現在30位タイにつけている。

　首位は5アンダーの小田孔明(13ホール消化)と宮本勝昌(12ホール消化)、2打差3位タイには岩田寛、白潟英純らがつけている。

Everything You Need To Know Regarding Silat Training

Silat is an ancient form of martial art. It is famous world wide, but is traditionally followed and practiced in Malaysia, Singapore and Southern Thailand. This martial art style was also customarily adopted and put into practice in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines and in Brunei. Many years back, on the Malay Islands natives were trained and made proficient in Silat. This martial art was very much a part of their culture and thus natives were given Silat training.

Today, people from all over the world are fascinated and engrossed in this magnificent and unique martial art form. Millions of people world wide are interested in learning Silat and mastering it through Silat training. Various Silat training schools and institutes have been set up in different parts of the world by Silat gurus and experts, for imparting the skill to others and encroaching Silat as an art form all over the world. The kind of agility and suppleness, Silat movements and actions acquaint its practitioners with, has magnetized people from different part of the world, especially from European countries.

Silat has different styles and forms, which can be mastered by intensive training. The most common and widely practiced styles include joint manipulation, bladed weapons and various other amalgamations. As per Silat literature, these styles or forms are called 'Jurus', which embraces multiple meta-movements all aligned to form a single set.

Silat is not just about fighting techniques and tactics; it has a very beautiful and enticing spiritual aspect ingrained in it as well. Since, Silat is not just a part of one country' culture, it is a part of different cultures and customs. Though, Silat has surpassed religion, it has many interesting facets. In Malaysia, most of the Silat gurus are Muslims therefore, for them Silat expresses their Islamic canons. In Philippines, Silat also known as Kali incorporates catholic code of belief, while in Bali or also known as Pencak Silat it proffers Hindu creeds.

Baseball Fielding Tips: How To Fix Very Common Throwing Problems!

Read some common baseball throwing problems, how to fix them and what you can do to improve your throwing accuracy. One in particular, and if this doesn't improve your accuracy, we have a real problem on our hands.

Hey, an errant throw can decide the ball game. Usually, it's pretty easy to improve a player's throwing accuracy. Sometimes baseball fielding tips get overlooked and I never could quite figure out why. Doesn't a poor throw that allows an important run to score count just as much on the scoreboard as a hit in a key situation to knock in an important run? Let's look at some common throwing problems and how you usually, they can easily be fixed.

Throws Are Overthrown and Sailing High:

There is a very good chance that you are not raising your throwing elbow to shoulder height. I've witnessed this hundreds of times over the years. I was watching a high school varsity game a couple of years ago. The first baseman was throwing grounders to his infielders in between innings. He threw them a total of eight grounders. Out of the eight throws back to him, four of them sailed high. Guess what? When making all four of those high throws, every one of them was because the infielder did not raise his throwing elbow high enough. Four throws were high and four elbows were not raised to shoulder height. Watch closely to replays on TV when infielders overthrow their first baseman because the throw sailed high. In many cases, you will see the infielder did not raise his elbow high enough when making the throw. Just remember, "Elbow too low, ball high." In essence, the ball is being "pushed" and not actually thrown.

Another possibility for overthrowing your target is you may be releasing the ball before your landing foot hits the ground. This will cause your release point to be too early thus causing a high throw.

Under Throwing the Ball:

The problem is usually at your release point. If you release the ball too late, your throw will almost definitely be too low.

Another strong possibility is that your front shoulder is dipping down below your throwing shoulder. If your front shoulder dips, there is a good chance your throw will be low and short of your target.

Whenever possible, make sure that your shoulders stay level throughout the throwing motion.

General Erratic Throwing:

There is no substitute for spending time practicing your throwing. If you throw a baseball every day, your throwing will improve. Just remember, every time you throw a baseball you should aim for a target. It's one of the simplest yet most important baseball fielding tips for improving throwing. If having a catch with someone, aim for their left shoulder, then their right shoulder, left hip, right hip, etc. Every time you throw a baseball, aim for something! How can this possibly not help? It has to help and it will help.

If throwing erratically, the problem could very well be in your footwork. Not getting their feet set up properly is a very common problem, especially with youngsters. Their feet are not set when they throw the ball because of their impatience to want to throw the ball too soon. They have no balance or foundation when they throw.

Like we mentioned above, keep your shoulders level and keep them square to your target. Make sure your front foot is pointing to your target and your back foot lined up like you are using the pitching rubber.

Once again, every time you throw a baseball, aim for a target. This one very simple thing will help you out tremendously!

Martial Arts Therapy: A Form Of Healing

People are now finally beginning to realize the vast benefits that martial arts has to offer. Because of its positive effects, there is now a term called Martial Arts Therapy referring to the use of different martial art forms as an alternative or complementary therapy for a medical disorder. Medical disorders encompasses problems concerning the body or the mind. Therapy sessions may involve various types of martial arts such Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Taichi, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Aikido, Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Wrestling to promote kineasthetic balance among others.

Though we recognize that the foremost benefit we can get from any martial arts form is the ability to defend oneself, the numerous health benefits of martial arts are also worth knowing. These health benefits range from muscle strengthening to stress release. Karate and kung fu, for instance, help in the improvement of the cardiovascular health of the individuals. Muay Thai, wrestling, and judo, on the other hand, tones the different muscle groups in the body. Other forms, such as Thai kick boxing, contribute in improving the body flexibility.

Another important practice of martial arts that is of importance to therapeutic conditions is the practice of calisthenic exercises. Calisthenic exercises are light exercises which promote general fitness. These type of exercise also help in improving one's stamina. Because the basic tenet of martial arts is the proper utilization of energy and strength, any form of martial arts then is known to increase your energy levels.

A number of studies show that people aging 40 and above who attend regular sessions of any form of martial arts are seen to have higher levels of over all body fitness. They also tend to have stronger immune system as well as improved strength, flexibility, and balance and coordination between the mind and the body. The hard style routines characteristic of karate, taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Taichi, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Wrestling comprise of aerobic and cardiovascular workout. Soft style routines, on the other hand, focus on flexibility of the body as well as its balance and control.

Weight loss is another positive outcome brought about by extended cardiovascular activity. However, you need to undergo continuous martial arts training to achieve this.

Some say that the effects of martial arts training are somewhat the same as those we get from sports. However, they are not the same. Martial arts differ from sports in that the former is more capable of improving social and psychological well-being. In concrete terms, martial arts tend to strive toward self-control and self-knowledge, while most of sports programs are focus solely on competition between individuals and groups.

It cannot be denied that martial arts foster physical and psychosocial benefits. Not only does it help people have fun way to exercise, it also helps medical professionals in treating medical patients. Still the concept of martial arts therapy is one which is still in development. Whatever happens though, we are sure that regular sessions of this activity will keep us healthy.

Martial Arts And How It Can Benefit Your Child

The children nowadays are prone to various attitude problems. This is why parents enroll their kids in after school pick up programs to hone skills and develop their kids' personality.

One of the most popular after school pick up programs are martial arts classes. Martial arts are known to help kids handle conflicts inside themselves, as well as conflicts that they may face when they are outside their homes. Various martial arts techniques such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Wrestling also teach kids respect for others by first teaching them to respect themselves. It also teaches self-control, self-discipline, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility.

It is notable to stress that one of the most important benefit children get from martial arts training is that they generally become more disciplined from the unique formalities of martial arts classes. This is one difference that this type of lesson offer compared with types of sports. No matter what their social economic backgrounds are, children with problematic attitudes behave well as a result of taking classes a few times per week.

Parents are very happy to see how their seemingly problematic children come out of pick up programs smiling and positively interacting with other kids. Some children even show rising grades after continuous martial arts session.

How do all of these happen? Choosing a martial arts school is of course a very important factor. The environment in which your child will learn new things certainly affect how his outlook in life changes. There are a lot of dojos and school around Tampa and Carrollwood but be wary on making your choices. Choose a school that offers many forms of martial arts techniques. It has a positive effect on the kids if they are made to decide what pick up program to enroll in, whether it is MMA, Karate, Taekwondo, etc.

Instructors also play an important role in molding students. Instructors who care enough to sit and talk beyond the kickboxing or wrestling sessions reach the mind, heart, and soul of their students. Some trainors also include accomplishing schoolwork requirements in their pick up programs. This strengthens the bonding of the martial arts students and make them more active when training for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.

Indeed, martial arts has so many benefits in the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspect of one's life. It is not hard to understand why it has become a popular activity for the children, youth, and adults. Just keep in mind though that not all programs will produce all of the benefits mentioned in this article. As we have said, it all depends on the teacher and the school. Martial arts programs that are limited to teaching combat fighting techniques may not result in the desired mental, emotional, and social transformation we hope for. Give yourself enough time when searching for a school. Choose one that will give your kids the most number of benefits at the least possible price.

The latest Nike football boots line-up

Nike football boots are one of the best brands in the world. Their signature shoe is the Nike Mercurial Vapor, and other famous Nike football boots include Nike Tiempo Legend, Nike Total 90 Laser and Nike CTR360 Maestri football boots. These shoes are worn by international players of high acclaim across the world. Here are some of the current Nike football boots available.

Nike Tiempo Legend III football boots

This boot is derived from the classic Nike Tiempo range which was released in the early 90’s. Back then, it was worn by first generation Premier League stars such as Eric Cantona and Ian Wright. The Tiempo Legend boots are the least technical out of the Nike football boots line.

Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly II football boots

Debuted by Brazil’s Ronaldo and now worn by Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, the Mercurial Vapor line is truly one of the greatest masterpieces of footwork created. It was the first ever football boot to be designed with a focus on being lightweight, thus giving the player speed and agility over their opponents. This was done by using a synthetic upper to reduce weight, whilst simulating the properties of natural leather. Now, the Mercurial has advanced to the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II, with improvements in technology – giving the player a stronger fit, superior traction, improved balance and quicker cuts in any direction. The CR Mercurial Vapor Superfly II was designed exclusively for Cristiano Ronaldo and features an all over leopard print for improved visibility on the pitch.

Nike Total 90 Laser III football boots

This football boot is often referred to as Nike’s deadliest boot – it claims to augment players’ abilities with increased power and accuracy. The boot has a unique shot-shield technology which allows greater shot control. Nike Total 90 Laser football boots are associated with excellent players such as Wayne Rooney, Miroslav Klose and Michael Essien who are well known for their strength, high energy performances and long range strikes.

Nike CTR360 Maestri II football boots

This is the newest entry to Nike football boots, and is designed for the precise play-maker - the midfield Maestro. These boots are the first in the world that enhance passing and crossing, rather than shooting. They are also well equipped to be able to control the ball. Players that use the CTR360 football boots include Cesc Fabregas, Carlos Tevez, Ashley Cole and Andreas Iniesta.

The Golf Swing-3 Tips

Are you tired of being an average golfer? Do you think you have paid your dues and think that you should be playing a better game of golf today?

Sounds like you are ready to settle down and become a serious golfer. It has been fun and games up to now but you want to better your strokes and your handicap. No more being the brunt of jokes. You enjoy your friends, however jokes are getting old.

There are many types of golf swings. In fact, each golfer seems to develop their own personal golf swing. On the other hand, you want a consistent and successful golf swing.

1. An ability to have an effective golf swing which will leave your friends trailing behind you.
2. Have a golf swing which will be consistent and have your shots flying longer and straighter.
3. Minimize penalty strokes, not more hooking, slicing and topping the golf ball.

Asking for the above three things is acknowledging that it is time to take golf instructions from a professional golf instructor.

If you are anything like me, I am guilty of taking shortcuts trying to save a dime or two, but sooner or later golf swing instructions are needed. Copying what we think the professional golfer is dong has its limitations because we really do not know what we are looking for nor are we seeing how that golfer may be using special techniques. This is probably one of many reasons we are called amateur golfers.

The golf courses usually have a professional golf instructor available to help you learn how to play better and will offer free golf tips as well.

Golf is a very popular sport and in fact I noticed the other day there was a professional golfer scheduled to teach at an elementary school. I thought this to be unusual, but helpful. In fact, they rescheduled the golfer for two more events. Apparently it was successful.

You may want to check your community calendar and see where some of these professional golf instructors are available. In some situations this might be convenient when you are not able to get to your regular golf course.

In the meantime, here is a checklist of three golf swing tips:

1. One of the key corrections which need to be made to improve your golf swing is proper spinal alignment and a correct golf stance.

2. Have a thorough understanding of how the body moves in order to coordinate the skeleton and the muscles to work in a smooth rhythm.

3. Maintain a clear mental focus of the outcome of the shot.

In summary the complete success of the shot is the combined harmony of a strong disciplined body with a strong focused mind.

Why Not Get A Move

According to inspections based on general knowledge, these findings on science have been reaffirmed. Joggers at the age of sixties and seventies often run with ease and elegance, and we could not see this occurrence in persons who are twenty or thirty years younger than those seniors. I often encounter these occasions: Initially I considered the runner moving towards me as young man or lady, later I realized that he is middle-aged, as a matter of fact. This dazed me a lot.

Stephen is such a person. He is around fifty-five years old, tall and thin. After taking part in the marathon race training, he could run twenty miles one day. Stephen's velocity is jealous by a group of lads. Stephen often is considered as about forty years old. No matter they have evidence or not, they mostly regard my age is seven or eight years younger than actual. No matter what, they said they have that idea. Maybe, I just seem a bit like flattery. However, these compliments may produce terrible side effects. He goes to Albert Einstein College of Medicine for daily job. A short time age, he was stared up and down by one of his workmates who works on dissecting spoke to him, "little grease do not prevent dissecting knife from moving and this makes you a fabulous corpse"

There are many advantages of running. Above all, gross figure never bother us any more. Scores of people begin to run just want to lose weigh; in fact running is the most excellent way to achieve that goal. It costs more calorie of running than other exercises. It also prevents your skeleton and muscles from degenerating. Our skeleton and body cooperate with each other. The longer time we sit before the monitors, the weaker our bones get. Our skeletons will be in good condition if we do sports often and chronic. Often high intensity sports like jogging, and proved to be able to promote the growth of Hormone. Hormone is the medicine that enables those famous people to look young. Ding Exercises against sickness. For example, it can lessen the risk of stroke and breast cancer. If someone is likely to trigger or have already in the early stage of osteoporosis and diabetes, doctors will advise these persons to do running often to treat these illnesses. If you run usually, you health status will be kept and enhanced. Running is the greatest way to exercise for people. If you want to do something to improve cholesterol, reduce blood coagulum danger and train your lung in condition of disuse part, then running works. Doing sports will enhance your immune function by producing lymphocytes. We will look more confident through running. As same as other solo sports, running enables you to believe in yourself firmly. Sports let you accomplish one and other trials. Through that, a more powerful and confident yourself come into being. Real hills and obstacles are there, and you will go through them actually. You will get the granted strength and feel free after realizing you have a robust and more helpful body. Running is precious treasure for those people who gain confidence because of successfully losing weight and getting the ideal figure.

How to Convert Ice Hockey World

Zdeno Chara is regarded as the superlative ice hockey defenseman in Slovak. He is the leader of Bruins of National Hockey League. He led the team win the Norris Trophy in the season of 2008-09. And he is the highest player in the NHL. In the year of 2001 to 2006, Chara was a Ottawa ice hockey player. He became elite defensemen in the team. And in this season, he improved his attack technique. In the year of 2002-03, Chara entered his first All-Star Game. And he got the title of the second hardest shot in the skills competition. In the following year, Chara owned the title of the top three highest plus/minus, including his first Norris Trophy nomination. Subsequently, he signed a contact with the Boston Bruins in 2006. And he was also the captain in the Bruins. The great thing is that he is the third person who born in Slovak to become the team leader in NHL. He received the name of 2007 All-Star Game. He got the first position in the hardest shot session in the technique competition.

In the year of 2008, he injured the left shoulder. Yet under a 5 months recovering, he played the rest of the games in that season. In the bottom of the season, Chara got his second nomination of the Norris Trophy. He broke the past record. During the year of 2008-09, Chara got the fourth time to play in All-Star Game. He started a charity movement to raise money for the poor. During the campaign, they raised 24,000 dollars from six competitions and their honorable team. He established a new data in the Technique Match.

Nevertheless, Chara hit his opponent who suffered an injury. At last, the injured had to stay in the bench during the game. He was carried away from the ice field. In the following day, he was diagnosed as the 4th vertebra and a severe concussion. For this reason, Chara was charged as a five minutes penalty and a game misconduct. The evidence hadbeen sent to the supervisor. Although the operations decided not to run this accident, but the police had already started to investigate this affair.

Before starting to play hockey his coach thought he was better to play the basketball. As the tallest player in the league, Chara is a good defender and a all-developed guard in all aspects. He is also the representative of such leader. He can make a high throw and have a great weight. He is suitable to fight with others. His ambition can fulfill the energy of the team. The most important thing is that he has great organization ability. Although he has a heavy weight, he is able to eject 180 kilometers every hour. Every doorkeeper is afraid of him. The spectator is also in fear of his strong power. He can do a good job with several difficulties. Chara owns an iron common figure. Chara only has lag spike and toothed wheel. The human is difficult to contend with Chara. In Chara's opinion, satisfaction is not equal with the fate and condescension. The success cannot be destroyed for your waiting. It just means that your ambition is not easy to achieve like those touchable goals. If you can work hard, you will success in the end.

Nascar Races at Phoenix International Raceway

Take in a Premier Race Event at Phoenix International Raceway!

This is my favorite place to head for a Nascar race event. Phoenix, 'land of sun', is an ideal destination to attend a weekend of Nascar stock car racing!

Phoenix International Raceway is situated in Avondale, Arizona. The race track is easily accessible located within 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix. It is situated in a beautiful setting, surrounded by the nearby 'Estrella Mountains'. What other race track in the country is surrounded by beautiful cactus and gentle rolling hills?

PIR is a perfect one-mile, low banked tri - oval race track. It's not too big and not too small. Fans get to experience the sounds and thrills of stock car racing up close!

An added bonus attending an event at Phoenix Raceway is your chances of getting 'rained out' are very slim. Phoenix averages 85% annual sunshine with as little as 8 inches rainfall annually. You're almost guaranteed beautiful sunshine each visit!

Our family has been going to race events here for years and will continue to do so for many more to come. If you choose to drive, fly or go RVing to the track, it's easy to get to either way and there are plenty of places to stay as well! It's your choice! There are great hotels, motels and RV parks, all within a short distance from the race track.

Phoenix International Raceway is also a perfect place to take the family camping for a weekend of racing entertainment. The facilities are ideal, from rustic camping sites, paved camping stalls to first class reserved sites with hook ups. This race track has it all!

You can set up camp for the entire race weekend at very reasonable prices. These are dry camping sites, so your unit must be self - contained. Propane, water and waste dumping services are available for a fee should you require these extra services. There are plenty of on - site portable toilets to use if needed as well.

There is even a complete Basha's on site grocery store for your convenience. So you can pick your campsite, purchase groceries at the track and enjoy your weekend! Basha's guarantee's prices will remain just as they are at any of their other grocery outlets in the Phoenix area. It doesn't get much better or more convenient for us campers!

As well, there are continuous free tram shuttles to taxi you from your RV (recreational vehicle) or main parking areas that transfer you to the main gates of the race track.

Phoenix International Raceway is one of the few tracks on the circuit to host two premier Nascar race events throughout the race season. The race track holds other great race events throughout the year.

If your family holiday plans include Phoenix, Arizona, then be sure to check out a race event at Phoenix International Raceway.

Michael Vick And More Injuries, Verlander Gets Cy Young Award

Vick played injured against Arizona

Michael Vick got hit by linebacker Daryl Washington on the second play of Philadelphia’s loss to the Cardinals by 21-17, and as a consequence, ended with two broken ribs. Vick didn’t tell anybody that he was hurt and actually played the rest of the game injured. "He didn’t say anything, not a word. He’s a tough nut. He said he really just blanked it out and played is kind of what he said, and really didn’t think twice about it." coach Andy Reid said.

Vick sat down for the Eagles’s practice session from today, and the team is still not sure if he will be lined up for the game against the Giants on Sunday night.

Verlander earns Cy Young Award

Yesterday it was confirmed what most people thought as a fact: Justin Verlander was awarded with the Cy Young Award, and he did it by a unanimous vote. When he got his large contract extension a while back, he mentioned that he wanted to make it to the hall of fame, and by earning this honor, he is certainly close to be a true candidate. The starting pitcher from the Detroit Tigers knows that to get to where he wants to be, he still needs to come up with more achievements, and to this, the player mentioned that "I’ve worked extremely hard for this. You guys know how competitive I am. Looking at the big picture of things, it would be nice to win some more."

Tebow is still being tested for starting quarterback position

The Broncos are still not sure about keeping Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback, but they acknowledge that he is putting a lot of good work, though they also realized that he is doing well because they implemented an option offense that allowed Tebow to maximize his potential as a runner, and so far, it seems that it is working. Coach John Fox has mentioned that he is not totally convinced about keeping this game strategy for the long-term, which is why he is not sure if Tebow is their choice for good, and that is the reason why he is continuously doing evaluations. The next one for Tebow is coming on Thursday when the Jets visit Denver, and the young QB knows that he has to excel at his job if he doesn’t want the Broncos to start considering quarterbacks for their draft options.

Billiards – The Beginning of a Great Game

It is believed that the game of billiards originated some time during the 15th century in France and spread to England. This was a form of entertainment for the Europeans. At that time people liked lawn games such as lawn bowling which eventually grew into a game similar to croquet.

Over the years, the game was moved indoors and raised off the floor to a table height. The problem with playing billiards on a table was the balls kept rolling off, so wooden rails or bumpers were attached to the table’s edges to keep the balls in play. The first pool table dates back to around 1470 when King Louis XI had one. King Louis’ pool table had only one pocket in the middle of the table. By the 1500’s, pool tables were common in taverns and public places in France. Around 1600 another modification was made with the addition of rubber strips to the wooden side rails. These were used as cushions to give the balls added bounce when hitting the edges of the table. The rubber also served to protect the wood edges from chipping.
Cushions, also called Rail Cushions, were located on the inner side of a table’s wooden rails. The cushions were made from a vulcanized rubber (gum or synthetic). The purpose was to cause the billiard balls to rebound off the rubber while minimizing the loss of kinetic energy. The profile of the rail cushion which is the angle in relation to the bed of the table varies between table types.

The standard American pool table has a base of 1-3/16" and a nose height of 1". This causes the balls’ rebound to be somewhat predictable during game play. A green cloth covered the table to look like the color of the lawn. The pockets were initiated on to the table in place of the targets from the lawn game. The object of the game then became to use one ball to hit the other balls into the pockets. Since that time, more pockets have been added until the current number of six pockets evolved.

As an interesting note, during Civil War times results of pool games were more widely read than war news. Professional pool players assisted in furthering the popularity of the game creating a myth of a pool shark or hustler. Pool has emerged into a game that has seen many changes in technology and socialization since then.

Around 1826 a dramatic change was made to the pool table and an Englishman invented the slate bed which made for a much smoother surface to play on. The slate used in the tables is mined from quarries, mostly in China, and sent to factories for inspection as only the best pieces are used in the pool tables. The slate is cut and planed to its desired thickness then drilled with diamond drill bits that cut 18 nail bolts and 6 pockets at one time. A grinding machine then smooths the surface and refines the thickness of the slate. The edges are beveled by hand.

The popularity of the game increased as more people took interest. In America, billiards became popular in the 19th century. There were books written about billiards and rules to guide players. Eventually, a company began manufacturing the equipment to play and the game became known as pool. The name "pool" denotes a bet or ante that is made on the game.

Travel Like A Pro By Following This Advice

Travel is one of the greatest activities that humankind can engage in. For many of us, the experience does not come as often as we would like it to, and for some, large trips are a once in a lifetime experience. Therefore, this article is meant to familiarize you with all the travel advice necessary to maximize your experience while at the same time minimizing your cost.

A plastic shoe organizer over your hotel door can keep you organized. It is difficult to stay organized away from home, with little to no storage space except your suitcase. Put an organizer over your bathroom door when you arrive, the kind with the clear pockets is best. You can use it to store your essentials and keep them where it's easy to locate.

Try to read up on the customs and traditions of a country before you travel there. Even the simplest things can happen differently depending on where you are. If you show that you are prepared to totally envelop yourself in the culture, people will welcome you with open arms. This will make your vacation much more enjoyable.

When packing for your trip, make a list of the essentials and stick to that list. Pack in advance if you can. If you simply throw all of the items you think you'll need into your bag the night before, you'll end up with over-sized heavy luggage that will be difficult to transport.

Don't take the whole bottle of shampoo and conditioner when going on a trip. Buy some small containers first that are sold in the travel size toiletries section of your local store. Pour some shampoo and conditioner into the small containers and take those instead. This will free up some much needed space in your duffel bag or suitcase.

Travelers are a common target of theft, but you can protect your luggage with a few simple tactics. Put Christmas bells on your suitcases and carry-on luggage, to alert you if someone tries to take them. Insert your foot through the strap or handle of your luggage when sitting in an airport lounge during a layover. Be aware that a distraction around you may be a deliberate attempt to divert your attention from your belongings.

Bring your own comfort items on the plane. With airlines trying to recoup costs wherever they can while keeping ticket prices low, many have resorted to charging for many of the comfort items that used to be free. A travel pillow, blanket, music and headphones can save you precious money that is better spent on your vacation.

Do not take your sleep aids until the aircraft has actually left the ground. The last thing you want to do is have a technical issue that requires you to change planes after you have taken sleep medication. Carrying your luggage halfway across the airport while trying not to fall asleep is not a pleasant endeavor.

Travelers on cruise ships should purchase any tickets, shore excursions or accommodations once they are on board. Many people feel like they should book these things ahead of their vacation, but due to unpredictable circumstances, they may not be able to use them when the time arrives. Waiting until they are on board helps ensure that they can participate and often saves a little money.

After you decide on a travel destination, be sure to check user reviews on local hotels before you secure your reservations. Gather these from multiple sources, including magazines, websites and guidebooks. Also ask the hotel to send you pictures of the type of room that you will be staying in. Doing your research will help you avoid unexpected surprises when you get to your destination.

As was discussed in this article, due to the poor economy you might be wanting to put off going on vacation this year. If you use the advice that was provided to you in this article, you are taking the first steps of planning an affordable vacation.

Step out of the crowd with Fantasy Football Shirts

If you are a real Fantasy Football lover, then you definitely should wear something to show your passion for this activity, something that would let people know how much you are into this hobby. In the same time, it would be perfect if you just find some Fantasy Football Shirts containing fun messages, shirts which are made of quality materials. Then, other items required by this activity are the Fantasy Football Trophies which are the living proof of victory. They represent the reason why a team plays against another; trophy equals success, so the product purchased should make the winning team be proud of it.

Yes, this competition takes place online but, as long as you are into it for a long time, why not showing how involved are you in this activity? If you can have this big logo together with a hilarious message on an appealing shirt, why ignoring this chance? Fantasy Football Shirts are worth purchasing since their price are not high at all and you don’t even have to make any physical efforts. There is no need to wander through various stores, asking for a custom shirt, when Fantasy Football Shirts can be ordered online at a simple click. All you have to do is to know the right size.

We all have a passion and, if yours is fantasy football and you did a lot of efforts to carry out your researches as to make your choices, why not moving further? Since this activity is part of your life, Fantasy Football Shirts are the best to describe your hidden pleasure. Some catchy messages and vivid colors can do that. Who knows? Maybe you will find some other passionate fans of this activity and you will start playing together. Therefore, don’t hesitate as there are no disadvantages of this purchase.

Fantasy Football Trophies have been designed for those who take seriously this hobby, for those who want to have some proofs of their victories. Still, many fear that these Fantasy Football Trophies cost too much and that they are not worth the price. This is a misconception; amazingly designed items can be found online, ordered and received at the blink of an eye. As a result, why being drawn back when you have no reasons to be doubtful about?

Indeed, these Fantasy Football Trophies differ as price and size. It all depends on the importance of the game, on how far a team has reached. It is clear that a championship trophy will be more expensive than the one of a less important game. Its price also depends on the material this product is made of. Therefore, there are some factors such as the size of one game you have to take in consideration before you make up your mind. Once you find a website with pretty advantageous offers, take all the time you need to read the information provided. By doing this, you avoid unforeseen surprises. Thus, sit back on your chair, take your laptop and start your research.

Where To Start To Become A Great Basketball Player

This is why basketball is enjoyed by so many people; the game is fast and exciting. To be good at it, you have to understand the game. Here you're going to get some advice that can help you do better at basketball.

Try learning how to hit free throw shots. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not. Use the following directions to perfect free throws and practice often. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.

If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. The best talent you have isn't going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team. Know the things you're great at and keep practicing until there is no one better than you.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time. Relax and focus on your shot, and you can make it.

One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. You won't be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren't in the right position. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared up to the hoop. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.



Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Are you able to see what you've missed or things that you could improve on? Be honest with yourself but don't be too harsh. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.



Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? How about the behind the back pass? If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. This will confuse the opposition.

To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The defender that's below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.



Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.



You can improve your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot. Focus on the target when airborne, but never before. You will increase your level of accuracy and create an experience closer to real game play.



Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. Mastering this skill can help you to really improve your game.

To enhance your skills at shooting the ball from the outside, run drills every day from different locations on the court. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting. Hone in on your target while you are jumping, but not before you leave the ground. This will mimic game conditions and help improve your accuracy.

Everybody that plays basketball tries to master certain skills to help them improve their game. After going through the article above it shouldn't be hard to know what needs to be done if you want to be better at basketball. Read it again if necessary; just be sure to use the tips provided here.

What Is The Best Pregame Meal For Various Sports?

Proper nutrition is vitally important for any athlete who wishes to compete at his or her highest physical capability. A daily diet that focuses on well-balanced and healthy meals is the best way for competitors to keep their bodies in peak form. However, the pregame meal is just as important as it becomes the catalyst for a winning or losing performance. Athletes need to understand what foods will help them and what foods may hinder their game day performance.

The meal that is consumed before the game or competition is by far the most important of the day and there are some general guidelines that should be kept in mind during preparation. These meals should not only focus but emphasize carbohydrates. Carbs are quick and easy to digest which allows the athlete's stomach to be settled in time for play. Foods that are high in fat, fiber or protein should be avoided due to the fact that they take much longer to digest and can actually slow down emptying of the stomach. This may leave a competitor feeling too full and even bloated. Foods that are undigested can also lead to heartburn and cramping. Obviously these ailments could be detrimental to a sports star. Carbohydrates can be immediately transformed into energy, a crucial boost before an athlete takes the field. Large amounts of fluid should also be consumed and like food, they should be loaded with carbs. Sports drinks, fruit smoothies, 100% fruit juice and water are excellent choices.

While the general outline of a pregame meal is somewhat universal, there are some significant variations depending on the sport which is being played. For instance, a football player should be pay close attention to what he consumes before play. In fact, the timing of the pregame meals play a crucial role in the success he will have in the big game. It is most beneficial to start with a carbohydrate packed meal hours before the start of the event. An evening game would warrant a breakfast packed full of carbs. Foods should include eggs, fruit and whole grain pancakes or waffles. If play will be conducted in early afternoon, then the previous night's dinner should become the main focus. A great choice would be pasta dishes made of whole or refined grains. Sauces are best if they are meatless, in order to avoid the protein. As with any physical activity, fluid intake is essential. A light snack should also be consumed within an hour or so of kick-off.

Tennis players should also choose their meals carefully. The general rule of high carbs and low fat still applies and is significantly important to remember for this sport. Intense matches force the body to burn high amounts of glycogen which can only be counteracted by the intake of carbohydrates. Tennis matches can sometimes by incredibly long so proper nutrition is a must in order for the athlete to remain competitive. Competitors should not use the pregame meal as a time to try out new foods or drinks as this can lead to performance altering reactions. Players who have early matches will benefit from a breakfast that combines carbohydrates with dairy products that are low in fat. A banana is a wonderful addition to the meal as it contains potassium. High levels of potassium are lost during a tennis match as players sweat. A starchy lunch will keep energy and endurance at peak performance. An example could be a simple baked potato, without the use of any fatty toppings such as cheese or bacon. Players who are competing in the evening should make sure they have an afternoon snack and early dinner. This will keep them from feeling too full and sluggish. Whole grain pastas, rice, vegetables and lean meats are optimal choices. Fruit salads are also a tasty yet extremely useful dessert.

Athletes of any age should be committed to consuming pregame meals that will adequately fuel their upcoming activity. Even children who are competing should be on a diet that is healthy, well balanced and centered around performance boosting foods or drinks. Blood flow and oxygen levels should be fully accessible to the body during competition, not being diverted from the muscles and brain to digest stubborn foods. Sports allows individuals young and old to be physically active, participate in healthy competition and socially interact at a higher level. However, athletes need to give themselves the best chance at success and this begins with something as simple as the pregame meal.

The Right Equipment Really Does Prevent Injury

Sports can be a lot of fun, but they can also lead to a sleuth of injuries. With modern research behind athletes, injuries are farther and few between. This is largely because of the equipment athletes use in their chosen sports. Using the proper equipment for each sport is a very important part of preventing injuries to the players. Here are a few examples.

-Helmets
Helmets are used in a variety of sports including football and baseball. In football, players often take hard hits to the head either from the impact of other players or from the ground itself. Baseball players are always in danger of being hit by the fast ball when they are up to bat. Because of modern research and technology, helmets are about the best protection athletes have against concussions and other head injury issues. Helmets, according to business week, distribute the impact that forceful hits would take on the skull. While not all concussions and head injuries can be prevented by helmets, the overall degree of severity and the number of occurrences is greatly reduced.

-Safety Guards and Pads
A number of different sports also require players to wear safety guards or pads of some kind. Those sports include football, hockey, volleyball and plenty of others. Any time the athletes are going to be engaging in high contact sports or will be falling to the ground with a lot of force, they may need padding to help alleviate the impact. Even inline skaters sometimes wear such standard equipment. These pads can prevent a number of things such as cuts and scrapes, major sprains, fractures, breaks and other injuries. They cannot prevent every circumstance, but they certainly reduce the number of sports related injuries coaches see.

-Proper Shoes
When participating in any sport, the athletes also need to have the right shoes. Shoes can help those playing enjoy better games, but they can also prevent injuries. Cleats are common for field sports like football, baseball and soccer. They can prevent the players from slipping and twisting an ankle or causing another injury. Cyclists need special cycling shoes to reduce foot pains that can develop with the repetitive motion. And runners need the right running shoes in order to reduce the risk of overuse injuries. The right shoes are also a good idea for basketball and racquetball players. These shoes are called court shoes and they have good support and great traction that can prevent slipping as well. Shoes cannot prevent every injury, but they greatly reduce the injuries that athletes rack up, especially when it comes to repetitive motion and slipping.

Other Ways to Prevent Injuries

When it comes to the right equipment, athletes need to be advised of what they should wear at all times. Not only do the sports players need to have the right equipment, but they need to ensure that it fits correctly.

Ill-fitting equipment is just one of the things that can lead to injuries on the field or in the court. Here are some other ways athletes can prevent injuries.

- Ensure the protective gear required fits properly.

- Warm and and cool down to prevent muscle over extension or sudden exertion. This can also help prevent strains and sprains as well as tears or even breaks.

- Understand the rules of the game so no one acts improperly causing an injury to him or herself or another player.

- Play for others so that each player is watching out not only for his own game, but also for the game of others so that he or she can avoid sudden impacts or other mishaps. Watching out for others is a huge part of preventing injuries.

- Avoid playing when injured. If an athlete already has an injury, he or she should step away from the game until that injury is completely healed.

- Stay hydrated with water, especially in higher temperatures when the athletes are working hard.

- Observe a safe playing environment and do not engage on a field or court that is uneven or has something wrong with the playing surface.

- Never do too much too soon and increase activity levels in a gradual manner so that the body does not go into overdrive and cause an injury.

- Watch the temperatures to make sure they are not too high or too low. Weather can cause injuries just because of the temperature.

There are a lot of things to consider when participating in any sport. The right equipment is a great start to preventing multiple possible injuries.

Girls Get Concussions, Too By Ed B Kravitz

A concussion refers to a brain injury that results from hard blows to the head or sudden/ intense body shaking that moves the neck and the head roughly. Concussions can happen to both males and females, especially those participating in violent activities such as sport and gymnastics. Motor accidents, falls, close-by explosions and sudden body movements comprise other factors that cause concussions. Concussion denotes a head injury and other terms used to refer to the same include mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), minor brain trauma (MBT), mild head injury (MHI), mild head trauma (MHT) and mild brain injury (MBI) among other names. Adequate treatment and return-to-play rely on appropriate diagnosis.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Immediate and short term effects of an MTBI may include visible head injuries (wounds, scratches, cranial cracks and bleeding), consciousness loss, headaches, blurred or double vision, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), emotional outbursts, sleeping disorders, amnesia and behavior change. These signs help in the diagnosis of an MHI, but their absence, after a head trauma, does not mean absence of an MTBI. Further brain injury diagnoses tests include assessment of a person's consciousness, his/ her breathing and eye functioning as well as a head scan. Long term effects of a concussion, which may result from inappropriate treatment of initial trauma or recurrent brain injuries, may include recurrent amnesia, dementia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Mental breakdown, mostly, worsens with age advancement.

Female Vs Male Concussions

Several studies show that females suffer more concussions than males. The researches also show that females suffer mild head injuries symptoms longer than males. While those results are not conclusive, experts believe in some theories that explain this phenomenon.

Anatomy

Women have smaller and weaker necks than men. The neck absorbs blows to the head and the weaker the neck, the more impact of the blow the head receives. In addition to a smaller and weaker neck, women have smaller heads and less hard skull; making a similar magnitude of a blow, on a male head, harder on a female head, hence more damage.

Frequent reporting

Women report head injuries, and other accidents, more frequently than men. They, thus, get early diagnoses and consequent treatment of a TBI. Males, on the other hand, may let fall and head blow incidents pass, largely, due to neglect, or the fact that the society expects them to tough it out. Women also get more pampering than men after an injury.

Increase in vigorous physical activity

The higher prevalence of female TBI may also have come to the limelight as the nature of traditional cheerleading, which mostly involved chanting, changed to involve gymnastics; increasing occurrence of falls. The number of women participating in rough sports such as basketball, football, rugby and boxing has also risen significantly over the years as institutions and governments encourage participation of women in these sports. Some women rarely protect their heads as they assume their fellow women cannot engage as much force as men do in their sports, and this can result in concussions when accidents happen.

Hormonal changes

The female body undergoes many hormonal changes, significantly the reproductive cycle. Concussions may blow out of proportional the typical female mood swings; making these concussion symptoms more pronounced. Some reports indicate that females experience MTBI symptoms longer than males.

Treatment

MTBI treatment aims at giving the brain time and space to heal. Treatment entails both physical and mental rest. Physical movements should be minimized, especially those which cause abrupt/ violent head movements because the brain may be rammed against the insides of the cranium again, causing more damage, and mental activity should also be reduced. Since the human brain rarely rests when the person is awake, sleeping drugs can be administered to induce sleep. Drugs that can cause further bleeding of the brain, such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided, but drugs that manage the symptoms may be used.

Return-to-play

Unless a concussion has totally disabled a person, physically or mentally, he/she will, almost, always, want to get back to his/ her activities as soon as possible. Sports women/ men or their coaches may want them (sports men/ women) to return to the field as soon as possible. However, a return to play plan/ formula should be worked out in the interest of the patient, by the patient, his/ her coaches and doctors. Getting back to the field/ pitch before a MHI has totally healed can cause more brain injury.

Summary

Much concern about concussions aims at male athletes, but female athletes also need to be protected from these sports-related injuries.

The number of concussions reported by female athletes has significantly risen. Experts have several theories as to why this increase has occurred.

Electronic - You Can Enjoy The Thrills Of Deep Sea Fishing

When you experience the thrill of deep sea fishing you will realize why so many people enjoy it. You’ll find a number of excellent fish are prime for the choosing, many of which you won’t find elsewhere. Some of your choices include swordfish, shark, tuna, marlin, and sailfish. You will find that there are some specialized tools that you need to enjoy the sport though. Here are some of the options that you have.


Your rod and reel are your backbone. You’ll need heavy equipment that means a reel that can hold up to 300 yards of line. The line itself should be between twelve and thirty pound test weight. You’ll need to make sure your rod, your reel and your line all are balanced in size. For hook size, look for 3.0 to 6.0 and the leader should be between ten and fifteen feet long. Double line them. You’ll want leaders that are 30 to 50 pound test.

Bait For Deep Sea

A good choice for most deep sea anglers is live ballyhoo especially for sailfishing. For bigger choices, consider blue runners, speedos, googleyes, dead bait rigs and lures. If you can, provide the type of bait that is natural prey for the fish that you are after. For example, sure hermit crabs, shrimp, squid, and threadfin for sea fishing. You’ll find that your grouper, kingfish, snapper, wahoo and tuna will take these baits well.

A couple of rules of thumb when it comes to bait include not touching it with sunscreen and touching it as little as possible. You’ll find a lot of bait near the locations that they are cleaning fish. You can even use the seabirds to help direct you to were bait is plentiful.

For gear, make sure that you take into consideration where you plan to fish.. You’ll need things like rain gear and warm clothing. You can ask your charter for more information.


One of the wisest things that you can do to learn to deep sea fish is to take a chartered service out. This way, you are being taken to where the fish are and you are likely to have a few people to help you to learn the tricks of the trade. Make sure that the charter is a reliable, trustworthy company and you can’t go wrong. Whatever you do, get out there and enjoy the beautiful water and the gorgeous fish!

Rc Cars - Rc Car Racing - The Basics

For a beginner, the sheer amount of brands, varieties and specs of RC vehicles can be overwhelming. There are literally hundreds of types of RC cars and trucks, all with different engines, performance levels and completely customizable details. This puts hobby quality RC cars on a whole different level than toys and replicas, and is what makes them so much more interesting and exciting to play with.


While the actual mechanics of how each RC vehicle works can vary greatly from one to the next, the basic principles remain the same. Once you understand how RC cars work, you’ll have a better idea of just what’s involved, and which one would be right for you.

There are four main parts to an RC vehicle:

• Transmitter: This is the control you hold in your hand, usually powered by a 9-volt battery. Using radio frequencies, the transmitter relays the steering and control commands you give it to the receiver.

• Receiver: There are two parts to the receiver- an antenna and a circuit board inside the car. The radio frequencies sent by the transmitter are picked up by the receiver and relayed to the various appropriate parts of the vehicle.

• Motor(s): RC cars and trucks feature a variety of different types of engines, all with varying degrees of difficulty and output. The motor is often said to be the heart of the RC car and is the most intricate part of building your own RC.


• Power Source: Of course power is needed for acceleration, steering and overall engine output. Aside from the 9-volt battery in the transmitter, the power source depends on the type of car: electric cars run on rechargeable, replaceable battery pack while nitro cars use a fuel mixture similar to what runs a real car.


What does RC Stand For?

If you’re new to RC it can often be confusing just what is meant- radio or remote control cars. Though the two are often used interchangeably, this is incorrect; they are not the same thing at all, since the way they transmit signals is completely different. You can spot a remote control car by the wire connecting the controller to the car itself. Radio control vehicles, on the other hand, use radio frequencies to send messages from the steering controls on the transmitter to the receiver in the car.

There are FCC regulations for all consumer electronics that use radio frequencies, in order to properly allocate the frequencies on the band without too much interference. Usually RC vehicles operate at 27MHz or 49MHz frequencies- the same as your walkie talkie or garage door opener. More advanced RC models like planes require a higher frequency, and are regulated to 72MHz or 75MHz. Always consult your manual to make sure you’re using the correct frequency, and for instructions on how to change frequency.

As long as you’re running your RC by yourself, all you need to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to choose the correct frequency for your vehicle. But when it comes to race time or even just practicing with friends, you’ll need to make sure every one has their own frequency or the signals will get crossed. If you’re at an official race, the organizers take care of this by providing each racer with a specific frequency and a flag with which to mark your car. In order to avoid crossed signals, you’ll need to make sure when practicing that you follow a similar process.

Wakeboarding - Essential Wakeboarding Equipment: What You Need For A Great Wakeboarding Experience

Wake boarding is such a great sport that many people are getting hooked. It provides a new dimension of opportunities where you can express themselves. An exciting sport giving you a whole new excitement, thrills, and fun all rolled into one. Almost anyone can experience this relatively new sports craze.


Getting the right gear together is the first step in wake boarding. Make a start by knowing the basic equipment essential to wakeboarding. You can get familiar with those by getting in with the riders who have already their own gear. Alternatively there are some great resources online. Here are the basic equipments used in wakeboarding.

Wakeboard Boat

Have your boat modified before even trying to be a wake boarder. Water skiers and wakeboarders have entirely different goals when it comes to wakes. Skiers, of coarse want no wakes. Wake boarders want maximum wakes. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll be if you give yourself a good wake.

Almost any boat can be a good wake boarding boat, but if you have a good tournament inboard you can make an especially good wakeboard boat. Ski boats have the ultimate power and handling – all you need is "wake-making matter". Wake-making matter - literally matter that makes wake - is weight. Mostly all serious wakeboarders use a few giant bags of water that they generically refer to as Fat Sacs (which also happens to be a brand name). Two sacs, one on each side of the engine, is a good starting point. That will add about 600 pounds to your boat and at least a foot to your wake. If you find yourself just skipping across the wake like a stone on a pond, you need a bigger wake.

The next key to getting air is using an extended pylon. Most riders refer to these poles as Skylons (also another brand name). An extended pylon can get you good air on your half-cabs by providing a dramatic upward pull with little to no effort on your part. It will give you extra float time to really pop that move and the appearance of hang-time you’re searching for. A big wake plus skylon equals real wakeboarder - automatic acceptance on the lake.


Ropes

Wake boarding ropes made of Spectra, Spectra-Fusion and Tak have zero stretch, look virtually like shoestrings and weigh almost nothing. Nearly all-standard ropes come at 60 feet, which is a full 15 feet shorter than a ski rope, but can be custom-ordered to accommodate longer lengths.

Boards

Wakeboarders have their own boards. Like lawmen of the Old West had their own guns, you come to the boat all set - with your own board. Don't settle for the group board. It'll never feel quite like yours, and with the definition in styles today, you'll look like a kook riding your buddy's Mini Squirt if you weigh 100 pounds more. Also, the more you want to be a wakeboarder, the newer the board you should ride. Models get outdated quickly and so will you. New school rules!

Boots

It is not recommended to share boots just like sharing boards. You wouldn't wear your buddy's Air Jordans would you? And don't think that surf-straps are acceptable 'cause they're adjustable. They are antiquated relics, and unless you're doing tow-ins in Hawaii, you'll look stupid. Real wakeboarders wear boots, preferably high-tech models like the CWB Vert boot and Fulltilt XTC (very futuristic), custom boots like Bad Ass Bindings or Wiley's or top-of-the-line Hyperlite Storm Troopers or Liquid Force Super Suctions.

It is important to have them all if you’re really serious to being a real wakeboard rider.

Mma - Chuck Liddell And His Mixed Martial Arts Role

Chuck The Iceman Liddell was born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbara, California and is a mixed martial artist, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a former UFC Light Heavy weight champion. Liddell is known for his standup fighting techniques and take down defense and knockout ability within MMA circles. Liddells fighting versatility and stamina have earned him the nickname The Iceman, and have furthered his budding acting career, which includes, among other things, a recently released commercial for Dell Computers and an appearance in a music video for the band Nickleback.


Liddell began his training at the age of twelve, starting with Koei-Kan karate, and went on to become a four years starter on the football team of San Marcos High school, and later a Division I wrestler at California Polytechnic State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Accounting in 1995. Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 after a decision victory of Noe Hernandez, and was considered the number one contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight title, which he later won, catapulting him to a career of further renown.

Liddells platform, the UFC, began as a tournament with the goal of locating the worlds top fighters, and was based on Brazilian vale tudo fighting. Originally known as a no holds barred and often violent style of fighting, the UFC has since established and reformed rules and regulations that have resulted in a wider mainstream appeal.

From these beginnings, Liddell has become a mainstream celebrity, in addition to one of the most well known MMA fighters. In 2005, Liddell appeared in the first season of the Spike TV reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, which featured new UFC fighters competing with one another for a contract with UFC, the largest MMA promotion worldwide. Liddell was coach of team Liddell, and both of the shows winners, Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin, also team Liddell members, have gone on to successful careers of their own. Liddell also has a successful fan club, his own line of apparel and other merchandise, and has made guest appearances in several movies and television shows. Liddells signature fight move, the Octagon, a wide, swinging punch, is a crowd favorite.

Liddell, who described himself in an interview with ESPN as mellow and laid back, has two children, Trista and Cade, and a brother, Sean Liddell, who has also fought in the MMA.

Castaway Cay - Disney Magic Island Castaway Cay

Tell people that you are going on a Disney vacation holiday and they will inevitably ask you which of the Disney theme parks you are visiting. Unknown to many people, Disney actually own a private island in the Caribbean Sea in the Bahamas called Castaway Cay. However, accessibility to this Mickey Mouse shaped exotic magic island is only through Disney cruise ships. Yes, Disney operates cruises too and in fact owns two of the most fun and luxurious cruise ships.


As a matter of fact, Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger announced in early 2007 that the company has signed a letter of intent with Meyer Werft Shipyards of Germany to build two 122,000-ton cruise ships, each with room for up to 4,000 guests. The unnamed ships will be delivered in 2011 and 2012 respectively taking the Disney fleet to 4 ships.

Castaway Cay, the beautiful Pacific island is lined with pristine beaches dotted with colorful umbrellas. Under each of these huge umbrellas are two adjustable lounge chairs and two beach chairs to relax in. There are also hammocks scattered around the beaches for visitors to doze off in the cool sea breezes.

There is a "Family Beach" for wholesome family fun and in Serenity Bay is the "Adult Beach" for those above 18 years old and a "Teen Beach" for teenagers. As you disembark from a Disney cruise ship, you can simply walk or head to the Tram Station for a tram ride to all three Castaway Cay beaches.

The water around Castaway Cay is crystal clear and is also comfortably warm for most of the year. As the beaches are sheltered, the tides rise and ebb with barely a ripple. This is certainly an excellent water condition for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. If you do not wish to plunge into the water, you can book a Stingray Adventure excursion and interact with these fascinating sea creatures.

Feeling hungry? Your hunger pang will be satisfied with a smorgasbord of seasonal fresh fruits and delicious barbecue meats, mouth watering seafood and the best potato salad you have ever tasted.


Naturally, there is also a souvenir store for you to get some Disney mementos to remember this island paradise fondly. Exclusive Disney Castaway Cay merchandise is sold here as well as any essentials you may have forgotten such as swim wear, sunglasses or sun blocks. There are also stores which sell Bahamian handicrafts, however the prices for these handicrafts are much higher than in any Bahamian port of call.

Hair braiding is a very popular vacation activity in Castaway Cay. Everyone wants to look like a Rastafarian or be a Jimi Hendrix look alike. Another relaxing activity is to head over to Serenity Bay open air massage cabanas for some body pampering.

There are many other excursions to choose from such as going on guided jetski tour, a banana boat ride or go parasailing. Just about everything you can expect to do at a beautiful beach, Disney's Castaway Cay has them all and more.

If spending a full day under the sun is not your cup of tea, then do head for Groupers Pavilion's sheltered area where you can play foosball, table tennis, basketball, golf, chess and checkers. There are also be favorite Disney cartoon characters making appearances and mingling with the children.

So if you are taking a vacation, why not take a Disney cruise instead and enjoy sailing to Disney's magic island, the Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

Car - Axarquia - The Mudejar Route

On the easternmost part of the Costa del Sol, near Malaga, protected from the cold northerly winds by the mountain ranges of Alhama, Tejeda and Almijara, and open to the African continent across the Mediterranean we find a region called La Axarquia. Mountain and coast, warm and fertile, rural and cosmopolitan, white and blue are all terms to describe this region.


The Axarquia is a land of history and legend, the mark of its past is still present in the many watchtowers dotted along its coastline. Its priviliged location and climate attracted many cultures who chose to settle here: Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and above all Moslems.

The Axarquia offers some splendid tours to discover the many secrets of the area. One of the most interesting itineries is the Muedejar Route. The route passes through the immense heritage left by the last inhabitants of the region. This is reflected in the wonderful buildings in towns that date back to the 16th century. The same inhabitants also left an interesting farming activity that continues to this day, such as Moscatel wine, famous and appreciated, which is produced from the region's raisins using traditional methods.

The Mudejar Route covers five towns in the inner part of La Axarquia, which still preserves the most outstanding examples of Mudejar architecture in the area. Arenas, located in a small depression surrounded by hills, boasting Arab Baths and the Castle of Bentomiz, which the Arabs constructed on a previous Iberian settlement. Nearby you will find a minaret, the Alminar de Daimalos, in the town of the same name.

Archez, a village of only some 400 inhabitants, preserves the enchantment of its 'Morisco' roots, since we can admire the architectural treasures the Moslems left before being expelled, such as the Minaret Tower of the Church from the 14th century and now crowned by a Christian Belfry. In Salares we will come across another beautiful example of Mudejar art in the Minaret Tower (14th century) of the Parish church of Santa Ana, to which a belfry has also been added. In this town we have the chance to try a wine that is different to any other, since it is produced from a type of grape that is unique and unequalled: the Rome grape.

Passing through Sedella, a pretty whitewashed town with many springs, we come to Canillas de Aceituno, at the foot of the Sierra de Tejada mountain range. There is an impressive view of the Velez and Rubite river valleys, where the interesting route comes to an end.

Golf Bag - What To Look For When Choosing The Right Golf Bag

When you are gearing up for that first school experience, there is one thing that you do not want to be without: the perfect bags. Gear bags are not only essential in that they hold your clubs, shoes, and other accessories, they are also, like any other type of luggage, a reflection of your individual tastes, style, and personality. Some people carry very little in their bags, while others like to show up for their school lessons with an extra set of clubs, four bottles of water, two pairs of shoes, four towels, and a first aid kit. This is why taking the time to discover which type of carrying case is right for you is so important.


For those who prefer a walking game, there are several lightweight models and designs available that are strong and user friendly. These are designed to carry just the basics, and allow for the versatility of a walking game with the ability to carry clubs with greater ease. The style you choose can be anything from a basic, no frills color scheme, to a bright, bouncy hue, although you should keep in mind that while on the fairway, austere colors are really considered to be more par for the course, particularly for the professionals and those who aspire to become professionals.

For those who know that you prefer a cart, then you will want to find one that is specially designed for this purpose, i.e. to fit securely in the cart without tipping over. In this case, the weight of the bag does not matter as much, since you will not be carrying it around on your back, but it is usually a good idea to carry a small, lightweight carry style bag for just the bare essentials so that you will not have to drive your cart to every hole.

The lucky ones have caddies to carry their gear for them, but for most of us, while at school and otherwise, do not have this privilege. If you do, then the weight is not an issue unless you notice that your caddie is having trouble lifting it. Otherwise, remember that even if your bag is strapped to your cart, and especially if you choose a carry bag for your walking game, less is always more.

Last, but not least, price is always a factor. Though it goes without saying that the more money you spend, the more special features and customization options your bag will likely have, but remember, it is not a direct part of your game, its just an accessory to enhance your game presence and keep you from having to carry an armload of clubs across the course.

Peyton's Next Place

John Elway, Peyton Manning, John Fox
AP Photo/The Denver Post, John Leyba
After evaluating several NFL teams, Peyton Manning should end up in many more pictures with John Elway and John Fox.
You need advice, Peyton Manning. We need a column. It works out.
You seem to have whittled your Stick Your Neck Out Tour down to four teams: Denver, Arizona, Tennessee and Miami. These teams all want you the way Chelsea wants vodka, yet none of them is even sure you can play anymore. Who cares? You are The Bachelor, and they are four blondes in five-inch heels with daddy issues. Let's do this.

You need an unbiased, objective system to break this down. We will work with the time-honored plus/minus system, going from minus-5 to plus-5. Get your calculator out. May the best town win.

Divisions

Denver plays in a division that could be taken by a team of girl scouts armed with Pez dispensers. The Broncos won it last year with a guy who tossed more dirtballs than a Hooters bouncer. Tennessee has a chance to beat Houston if the Titans get you, I suppose. Arizona -- even with you and your brother -- is not going to beat the 49ers. Miami, going up against Tom Brady twice a year? You'd get to Saturn before you'd get to the playoffs there.

Points: Denver +5, Tennessee and Arizona 0, Miami -5.

Wide receivers

In Arizona, you could throw to Larry Fitzgerald Jr., which is like a chef cooking for Vince Wilfork. Hard to beat. But he is only one man, and the Cardinals don't have much beyond him. In Miami, you could throw to Brandon Marshall, if you can throw all the way to Chicago. He just got traded. Denver has Demaryius Thomas, who is only 24 and already a ball-gobbling glutton. Plus, the Broncos have a possible star in Eric Decker. Tennessee has receivers even people in Nashville don't recognize. In uniform.

Points: Arizona +5, Denver and Miami 0, Tennessee -5.

Weather

Arizona is paradise in the fall. Miami is sweet, too. Tennessee isn't bad, but neither is Denver. Do you realize the average Denver high in December is 46? That's seven degrees higher than in Indianapolis. Denver also gets about 250 clear, sunny days a year. There's a reason there's no dome in Denver. The Broncos don't need one. Only problem is, if you get Tim Tebow benched, you're going to need a steel umbrella for all the frogs that will rain down.

Points: Arizona and Miami, +5, Tennessee and Denver 0.

Cap room

It's not as though you're Tom Brady. You can't throw and catch the passes yourself. You're going to need some help. Denver has by far the most cash to buy help with -- nearly $45 million. The Broncos could pay you and sign ungodly talented Chargers WR Vincent Jackson. Or maybe Reggie Wayne? Or maybe you'd like to bring in your old center, Jeff Saturday? (One career -- one rump.) The Titans have a lot, too: $28M, but you'd have to stop after Vincent. The Dolphins have only about $12M. That will barely pay for you and some towels. The Cardinals are $16M over. Maybe somebody forgot to explain to Cards owner Mike Bidwill that the NFL is not a trust fund?

Points: Denver and Tennessee +5, Miami 0, Arizona -5.

Super Bowls

You and your brother Eli have always had a dream to play against each other in a Super Bowl. Can't do that if you go to Arizona.

Points: Tennessee, Miami and Denver +5. Arizona 0.

Crime

Here's the 2010 murder rate per 100,000 people. Hey, you have to consider these things. Denver 3.6; Phoenix 7.6; Nashville 8.9, Miami 15.4. So, in Denver, your chances of being murdered are low. In Miami, you're basically a metal donkey at a shooting gallery. How good is your flak jacket?

Points: Denver +5, Arizona and Tennessee 0, Miami -5

Coaches/Front office

You're practically a coach already, but you can't make all the decisions. Miami's rookie head coach Joe Philbin has been in the NFL for just nine years. You have wristbands older than that. Tennessee has Mike Munchak coming off his first season as a head coach. Arizona has a good one in Ken Whisenhunt. Denver has a 10-year head-coaching vet in John Fox, who is a player's coach. Also, you might like to end up running a team after you're through playing. What better guy to watch every day than John Elway? And don't forget, Elway won his two Super Bowls at 37 and 38. You're 35. He'll know what you need. Miami, meanwhile, changes GMs the way Gold Club dancers change outfits.

Points: Denver and Arizona +5, Tennessee and Miami -5.

Golf

I believe you're a very tough 5 handicap. And you're obsessed. So I'm sure you think the Phoenix area has the best golf of the four cities. Maybe. But the Denver area actually has more courses in Golf Digest's top 100 rankings than any of the other three towns -- Castle Pines (29th) and Cherry Hills (67). (Not going to be hard to get you on, either -- Fox and Elway belong.) Scottsdale has Estancia (62nd), but that's it. Miami has a bunch of courses owned by Donald Trump. Are you a stickler for the rules? Nashville has bubkes, but some of the courses there have twilight leagues.

Points: Denver and Arizona +5, Miami 0, Nashville -5.

Comfort

Phoenix is the sixth-largest city in America. It's a nice place if you like 1.5 million people and only three highways. Nashville and Denver are smaller, fly-over cities, even smaller than Indy. Miami feels like home if your home is in Caracas. Besides, you have a vacation condo in Miami. If you start working there, too, vacation becomes work. No good.

Points: Tennessee and Denver +5, Arizona 0, Miami -5.

Lifestyle

You have twins, a boy and a girl. You need to think about where you want to raise them. Do you want them to grow up to be singers (Tennessee), skiers (Denver), golfers (Arizona) or assisted-living nurses (Miami)?

Points: None. No judging. Just saying.

And finally …

Arizona ranks first in the nation in number of ant species. (Your two 1-year-old girls aren't going to like that.) Nashville ranks first in the nation in Internet shopping. (Uh-oh. No real shopping. Your wife isn't going to like that.) Miami ranks first in international freight. (Do you like barges?) And Denver ranks first in beer production per capita.

Points: Denver +5, everybody else 0.

We take care of our own

Tiger Woods, shown in 1995 with his dad Earl, is one of Earl's four children. Since their father's death in 2006, the others have not heard from Tiger.
In San Jose, Calif., this week, Kevin Woods will sit in his wheelchair a few feet from his television, watching his half-brother play the Masters. He has to. He can't see otherwise.
Can't stand much lately, either. Can barely use his left arm at all. He can feel his hands and feet going a little more numb every day. Kevin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, and it's not getting better.

"I'd say 60 to 70 percent worse now," says Kevin's brother, Earl Woods Jr. "He's not going to be able to keep his house much longer."

All three men had the same father, Earl Woods, but Earl Jr. says they haven't heard from Tiger since they buried Earl's ashes in Kansas six years ago.

"I leave messages," Earl Jr. says. "I leave updates on Kevin, but for whatever reason I don't get a response. … Kevin loves Tiger. A call from Tiger would really pump Kevin up. When he doesn't call, it just makes him feel worse."

Earl Jr., Kevin and sister Royce are the children of Earl Woods and Barbara Gary, of Kansas. They're 20, 18 and 17 years older than Tiger, who is the offspring of Earl's second marriage, to Kultida Punsawad. Though they lived in different houses, the four kids visited often and say they remained close until Tiger turned "about 15 or 16," Earl Jr. says. "But the more universal Tiger got, the less we heard from him."

Royce, who also lives in San Jose, stayed close with Tiger during his two years in college, fixing him meals and doing his laundry. In thanks, Tiger bought her a house. But since the funeral, none of them have been able to contact him.

"I would live in a shack," Royce told author Tom Callahan for his 2010 book "His Father's Son," "literally a shack, if I could have my relationship with my brother back."

Woods
Since his MS diagnosis, Kevin Woods has had to quit his job and is in danger of losing his home.
When contacted regarding Kevin now, Royce would only say, "He has an illness and we're dealing with it the best we can."
The three have stayed almost entirely out of public view. None of the three have written a book, and they are rarely quoted.

"We haven't asked Tiger for a dime," says Earl Jr., who lives in Phoenix. "Not even tickets to a tournament. But Kevin's losing his home. He needs a caregiver and he can't have a caregiver and keep his home at the same time. And we can't do that, we don't have the means. He can't move into Royce's house because of the stairs. And he's got a dog.

"Nobody's asking for money here, but [a caregiver] really would be nice for Kevin. It would make Kevin comfortable. He wouldn't have to leave his house. … But we'd at least like to be able to find out how Tiger is, to find out if he's OK, and to let him know if we're OK."

A spokesman for Tiger said that he's preparing for the Masters and wouldn't be returning my call to talk about it.

Tiger is not without a heart. His Tiger Woods Foundation has reached millions of young people around the world. But there has clearly been a falling out between Tiger and his half-siblings, and nobody seems to know what caused it. Tiger is close with Earl Jr.'s daughter, Cheyenne Woods, who attends Wake Forest and won the 2011 ACC women's golf championship.

"Tiger had Cheyenne down to Florida for three days to spend Thanksgiving on his boat," Earl Jr. says. "I asked her [afterward], 'Did he ask about us?' She said, 'No.'"

Royce is Kevin's caretaker now, taking him to his appointments and seeing to him. She also tended to Earl Sr. in his last years as he fought pancreatic cancer, even moving into his house in December 2005.

Since his diagnosis, the 52-year-old Kevin hasn't been able to work. MS is a genetic disease that often comes on later in life. One of Kevin's cousins also got it, in his mid-40s.

"We see him suffering," says Barbara Gary Woods, 78, who lives in Modesto, Calif. "He can hardly walk. Can't hardly hold things. … I'm very disappointed in Tiger. Before he got all famous, they were in touch a lot."

The wall that's up between Tiger and Kevin burns Earl Jr.

"I'd like to [slap] Tiger, wake him up," he says. "I'd like to say, 'Don't come knocking on the door when you need a bone-marrow transplant.' To see this is the response we get? Maybe when you see the world like he does, you don't see what other people are going through. But, seriously? You've got problems with your knee? That's nothing compared to what Kevin is going through. Nothing."

I can't help wondering what things would be like if their dad were still alive.
"A lot different," insists Earl Jr., who looks a lot like his father. "My dad was a bonding agent. He encouraged us to keep in touch, protect each other, circle the wagons."
For Kevin's part, he tells his siblings that Tiger must be busy. He has not asked Tiger for anything and has not tried to contact him. He remains a Tiger fan and will have his face close to the TV as Tiger attempts to continue his comeback at Augusta.

Of course, some comebacks are harder than others.

Speech recognition

What you're about to see is the most agonizing, amazing, emotional, funny and absolutely gripping award speech you've ever watched.

It happened Wednesday night in Augusta, when 38-year-old LPGA star Sophie Gustafson was presented the Ben Hogan Award from the Golf Writers Association of America.

Gustafson, who was divorced from former LPGA commissioner Ty Votaw in 2010, won the award for "overcoming a physical handicap." But the Swedish player's handicap isn't a bad knee or injuries from a car crash. Gustafson has a severe stutter.

When she got up to accept in a room of 350 people, surely everybody in the crowd -- which included Luke Donald, Tom Lehman and Brad Faxon -- wondered how she was possibly going to give a speech. Gustafson's stutter makes ordering pepper an adventure. That's when the writer presenting her the award, Golf World's Ron Sirak, told the audience Gustafson would be accepting by video, even though she was standing 10 feet from the screen.

Gustafson had taped the speech herself, in her Orlando home. It was six minutes, 35 seconds in length. It took eight hours to shoot."I wanted to be in control of it," she says. "I'm a bit of a perfectionist."

The lights went dark. She stood there watching us watch her. She wasn't embarrassed. She was proud. And we, in turn, were blown away by her bravery.

"I truly thank you all for giving me this opportunity through the Ben Hogan award," Gustafson said.

That sentence alone took 28 seconds.

"I hope we can all agree that this [the videotape] is the best way of doing this," she said, "if we all want to get out of this room before the first tee time in the morning."

It was excruciating waiting for the end of her sentences. But exhilarating when she would get to the end because there was always a surprise punch line when you got there.

"I've never seen [my stutter] as a handicap," she tried. "In fact, thinking about it, maybe I should try to get a handicap sticker for my car. The shorter walk would make up for the time I take at the deli counter ordering cheese."

"I was actually approached to do a radio show the other week. Seriously? Radio? Nuh-uh. I don't think that's gonna happen."

She was funny and sentimental and utterly charming. At the table in front of her, LPGA Player of the Year Yani Tseng was crying.

In emails to me, Gustafson said she did it to give kids who stutter a role model. "And I was so proud to win the award," she wrote. "It's cool."

Gustafson had tried all kinds of therapy, acupuncture and even drugs, which sabotaged her golf game, so she gave them up.I asked her how long her speech would've taken if she'd been forced to give it live.

"I would probably faint of exhaustion before I'd finish," she wrote.

Votaw, her ex-husband, was in the crowd. He's now an executive with the PGA Tour. Gustafson once said part of the problem in their marriage was Votaw wanting to help her through awkward speaking situations, finishing her sentences, protecting her. She said it was "paralyzing" and undermined her self-esteem. Was she uncomfortable having him in the crowd?

"No. He came up and congratulated me afterwards, which was nice," she wrote. "He knows all he's done, so nothing comes as a surprise to him."

Gustafson's coach of 20 years, Pia Nilsson, said the speech "makes my heart sing. She's got so many qualities as a human being. I'm so happy she found a way to communicate that more."

Gustafson, who has won 26 pro tournaments, closed with this: "When reporters ask me what advice I have for people who stutter, I tell them, 'Do what you want to do. Granted, phone salesman might not be the job for you.'"