Doling out some common sense.

HERE is a link to the Fox News story and actual email that Bob Dole sent to the deplorable Scott McClellan. How many times are we going to see this in our time and times to come? Bob hits the nail right on the head when he calls Scott a "miserable creature." Bob also shows his incredible sense of humor when he advises Scott to donate all proceeds to "The Bite The Hand That Fed Me." Good one Bob.

It's about time someone threw these sycophants some chin music. I can't wait to see the heater that actually sends them to first base. Keep the reprisals coming Bob, the Republican party needs a blood transfusion and a marrow implant from a man like you.

My Bear

It's the week of the Memorial Tournament, so needless to say my mind is on the great one, Jack Nicklaus. He is my favorite athlete of all time, second is Peter Forsberg, but that's for another post.

THIS is one of the better articles you will read on the greatest golfer that ever lived. The single greatest thing I have ever seen in sports was the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry. Jack finished second to Tom Watson, but it was the greatest display of relentless determination I have ever seen. You won't find this anywhere on today's tour.

HERE is a link to the 18th hole of the event. Jack was one back of Watson going into 18. Jack pulled his driver, but pushed it to the right in the deep gorse grass. Watson laced his drive right down the middle. Watson hit a seven iron for his second shot and put it about 2 feet from the hole. The commentators thought there was no way for Jack to get the ball to the green, but he somehow managed to get it on the green about 40-50 feet from the hole. Jack made his putt, which forced Watson to make his 2 footer. Watson made the putt and won the Open. That was a short putt, but I'll bet if you asked Watson if he felt any pressure he'd say "My God did I ever!"

Of course, Jack was his simple, humble self at the award ceremony saying, "I gave it my best shot, but it just wasn't good enough. You were a better golfer today." It just doesn't get any better than that. There will never be another golfer like Jack.

I never thought I'd say it

But Bob Costas may not be that bad. I just watched a lovely video on You Tube in which he says what I've been saying about Barry Bonds. I've been saying that you don't get better with age! I never heard anybody else say that, but Costas did. I'm not sure what year this video is from, but it rocks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbHQue2q7p8

I can't think of an athlete that's more despicable than Barry Bonds. Everybody knows he is guilty, but he just won't say it. I guess he's afraid the truth might tarnish his record. Somebody needs to tell him that it can't possibly be tarnished any more than it is. In a way it's better that he hasn't admitted the truth. That just makes him look even guiltier.

There's no way that piece of crap is going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That goes for all the other juicers too. None of these cheaters should ever grace the halls of...the Hall.

The Only Ball to Play

Let's face it, there is only one golf ball for above average golfers, the Pro V1 by Titleist. This varietal is indeed special. You will not find a ball that can match its performance off the tee nor its feel on the green. This ball takes me back to the days of the sweet, sweet balata. That's Billy Balata to you.

In my book, there will never be a match for Billy in the short game. It was like putting a pad of butter and the results were just as tastey. The only drawback to Billy was his off the tee performance. If you had a swing flaw, he'd plug in the neon idiot sign and point its flashing pink arrow right at your cranium. Billy's soft composition also prohibited him from flying as far as the other balls of his time. Nonetheless, I have some truly remarkable memories with Billy and they will forever be etched in the "Things that are pure" category of my mind.

Back to the present. I like the Pro V1x, as I'm not all that crazy about spin. I like the ball to hit and bite not turn into a ditch witch and trench itself back to me. I'm not knocking the Pro V1, it's a great ball. I've just grown accustomed to the feel of the Pro V1x.

As far as other balls are concerned, if you are serious about your game and scoring, don't waste your time. Although, I have been known to play the Taylor Made TP Red. They're only $20 a dozen and are decent off the tee and have pretty good feel on the greens. Twenty bucks for a decent ball, you can't argue with that.

Callaway, Nike, Bridgestone, they're all pretty good golf balls, but they just don't match up to the Titleist brand and quality. So if you're having a difficult time deciding which ball to play, play the Pro V1 and save yourself some time and money.

The Single

Now I usually don't mind the occasional single joining our group, but when time is of the essence (18 holes in 3.5 hours or less) you normally don't want anyone joining you. There are various maneuvers that can be taken to thwart the on comer, but my dad executed one I had never seen.

When he checked in, the starter told him that they needed to put a single with our group. "He's a guy from out of town," the starter said. He was not, but that's besides the point. Dad said, "no problem as long as he rides in a cart." He was a walker and remained a walker, just with another group.

I know most people are probably thinking, these guys are a bunch of jerks, but let me explain. This guy was not from out of town, I don't know why the starter felt compelled to lie about that. In fact, I see the guy at the course pretty frequently and would bet that he is a member.

Either way, having seen his play in previous rounds, he was better off playing with a different group. Not that my brother, father, or myself are great golfers by any stretch of the imagination, we can get around the course pretty well. At our best, the sum of our handicaps is less than twenty. If I were a novice single that joined a group of competent golfers, I'd feel a bit pressured and pressure for the unseasoned golfer equals disaster.

Was it rude of us to not allow this gentlemen to join our group or would it have been more rude to allow him to join our group and play 18 holes with three disenfranchised golfers? Jesus, I just turned into Carrie Bradshaw.

Deux Duex Duex

This post could have been titled Class Act II, but I don't get to use French very often. HERE is reason number two to love Chris Berman. I had no idea he was a pharmaceutical rep. on the side. You stay classy Bristol!

Class Act

Take a look at THIS and tell me you still love Chris Berman. I've never really liked Berman. His act wore thin 15 years ago. What value does he bring to the telecast? I do appreciate the presence of true commentators in the booth and on pre-game and post-game shows. They bring a level of professionalism and knowledge to the program that retired coaches and players simply can not. Berman, however, does not fall into this category.

The only time it works for Berman is when he and Tom Jackson provide one on one analysis. They do seem to have a pretty good chemistry about them. Other than that, Steve Zaban's label of "mouth breathing slob," is right on the money.