Those Guys Have All the Fun - Inside The World Of ESPN: Average Golfer Book Review

I'm know I'm a little late to the party, since most reviews of the "New" ESPN book came out in late May. Think of this as the 2nd wave, pre-paperback review. Although at a hefty 748 pages, this baby won't slide comfortably into a back pocket even without the hard cover.

My age demographic pegs me as being hugely sports aware at the dawn of ESPN in 1978 and my reader's demos tell me the same about you. This book chronicles the growth of the sports media monstrosity from it's germination as an idea born from Bill Rasmussen and his son Scott in 1978 until present day. The elder Rasmussen had been the communications manager for the Hartford Whalers, so after being fired by them, anything was a step up, even a then ridiculous idea for a dedicated sports network originating in the Bristol, CT megaplex.

The book is laid out in a series of interview snippets with all the main players through the saga, including all of your favorites, Berman, Kornheiser, Tirico, Patrick, Roberts, Gammons, and the insufferably obnoxious, but legendarily clever Olbermann. Authors James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales manage to pull most of the huge volume of material together in a decipherable fashion and the provided "between quotes" commentary enlightens, fills in, and connects the dialogue. I found the book's only minor negative to be that it bogs down in spots, especially when multiple quotes on the same topics are listed. Some of the "inside baseball" references to the financing and structural makeup of the behemoth that is ESPN can be sleep inducing, but tolerable in a book that leaves virtually no stone unturned in the dissection of such a large animal. All in all a worthy read, a book you'll take a break from due to  sheer weight, but pick back up quickly to resume where you left off.

Since it's essentially a book of quotes, I won't repeat them here and deprive you the opportunity to find the gems within the 748 pages. Be assured though, the lowdown is covered on the hot topics including Limbaugh on Donovan McNabb, Kornheiser's round peg, square hole fit on MNF, Erin Andrew's stalker woes, and Olbermann's serial leaving and returning schtick. Not much is out of bounds here and that lends the book credibility. Not in tell-all style necessarily as much as truth serum. An Average Golfer highly recommended.






Available at Amazon    Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN


* Review copy provided to Average Golfer by the publisher.




'LinkConnector Validation'

Now We Have Golf Gladiators

Been thinkin'. Always dangerous. After the ad nauseum replays of Rory McIlroy's ill advised attempt to uproot a tree and the subsequent painful result, it seems that golfers can now be categorized with linebackers in the "no pain, no gain" pantheon. Truthfully, it gained traction with Woods' 2008 US Open triumph on the now famous broken leg. Now I'm no doctor, but my brother is, and a classic broken leg in my understanding wouldn't be capable of supporting one's body in a vertical position, much less allow for the torque of an accompanying golf swing. There lies the the difference between a "break" and a "crack". Let's not forget as well that young McIlroy's shot was terribly ill advised, even without the presence of an evil root. A punch back to the fairway for an unobstructed third shot, on merely the third hole of a major championship, was in order. Chalk that miscue up to the exuberance of youth. That I can understand. Please though, don't confuse golfers with linebackers.








Swing hard and don't worry, they'll make more.

Tiger Woods, Like the Rest of Us Now.

Tiger Woods had four birdies and three double bogeys in his round of +7, 77 today at the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club, Highlands, in Duluth, Georgia. Hell, I did something similar last weekend. In my round of 91 at my local muni I carded three birdies and the same three double bogeys. I threw in a triple for fun, but that's to be expected from a weekend hacker with fourteen fewer majors than Woods. I'd safely figure that Woods' handicap at my course would be +10. That prevents me from asking him to join our 4-man scramble squad because his vanity handicap seriously screws up the numbers and our chances to win golf bags with beer logos filled with Top Flite XLs. Next year's lookin' good Tiger if your index continues it's steady climb.

We're not typically Woods lovers or bashers here at Average Golfer. We strive to be objective and attempt to limit the conversation to golf and golf exploits and foibles. Last week Woods pronounced himself to be healthy and strong, though ring rust seemed inevitable. A prep week was in order and Woods finished mid-pack. Today, three birdies in his first five holes had folks thinking of 2001. Doubles on 15 and 18 had them thinking Nationwide Tour. 10 over in his last 13 left tied him with John Daly in a twisted sort of irony. 11 of the 20 club pros in the field beat Woods, as well they should have.

I have a better chance at making the cut this week than Eldrick. If I were him I'd shelve it after Saturday and start prepping for next year's Masters. He'll be watching the "playoffs" from home regardless. Just proves that it's tough to play golf at any level without a clear head and lots of reps. Nice to see the game doesn't discriminate when it doles out it's inevitable cruelty.






Swing hard, look up,

The Open Championship 2011 - Odds and Expert Picks

3rd in line of the year's list of majors, The Open Championship will be contested this week at Royal St. George's in Sandwich. It has the distinction of being the first course to hold The Open Championship outside of Scotland. Think of it as sort of a parking lot painted green with thick rough and nasty wind. That should give some idea as to the sort of play required to leave Sunday with the Claret Jug. Let's examine the field and offer perspective on the favorite's chances. Current odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.



Rory McIlroy, 8:1 - Riding, and justly so, on the merits of his US Open victory. Not sure he can hit it low enough if the wind rears. Still, could win.

Lee Westwood, 12:1 - Note that only three players are listed at less than 25:1. That says the tourney is a crapshoot. Westwood's overdue for a major and can handle the conditions. Should win.

Luke Donald, 12:1 - Rightly offered based on his year thus far. Could win, but I see Westwood ahead of him. Easy top ten one would expect.

Martin Kaymer, 25:1 - After becoming World #1 game went south. Experienced enough on links courses to make a decent showing, but won't win.

Graeme McDowell, 33:1 - Lackluster year with tough rounds. Home cooking should help. Possible, not likely.

Nick Watney, 33:1 - Big adjustment from stateside courses. May impress, won't win.

Steve Stricker, 33:1 - Probably best American chance with control game and coming off Deere win. Possible, but would be huge upset.

Sergio Garcia, 33:1 - Odds seem too high with his game rounding into form and familiarity with links. I'll take him at these prices.

Phil Mickelson, 40:1 - Doesn't play well over here due to aerial game. No reason to expect otherwise this time.

Matt Kuchar, 40:1 - Won't win, but steady play may result in top ten.

Charl Schwartzel, 40:1 - Long odds for a major champ. Wouldn't surprise me with top finish. I won't go so far as to pick him to win though.

Jason Day, 40:1 - Never know. International experience. Second in first two majors. Long shot. Possible.

Padraig Harrington, 40:1 - Would be the pick based on experience. Schizophrenic game of late is a concern. Take a flier at 40:1.

KJ Choi, 40:1 - Not my first choice, or even my third. Still, always surprises. Remote possibility.



Dark horses at 50:1+....... Rose, 50:1, Goosen, 50:1, Poulter, 66:1, Manassero, 66:1, Oosthuizen, 100:1, Quiros, 100:1, Ogilvy, 125:1, Jimenez, 150:1, and longest of shots, but undervalued Tom Watson at 500:1.


Average Golfer Picks for The Open Championship 2011...


1. Westwood
2. Garcia
3. Goosen

There you have 'em. Gratis.

Bet early and often.









Remember, they'll make more.

Looking For The Next Tiger Woods? Found Her.

To be considered a golf prodigy you have to win tournaments at the highest level and do so at a relatively young age. Rory McIlroy pushed his way into the conversation with his third win and first major at last week's US Open. Rory's 22 years old. At 24, Tiger Woods captured his fourth major victory. Annika Sorenstam, with 10 career majors on her trophy shelf, garnered her fourth major at 31. So, to win your fourth major at 22, you'd be considered the quickest starter of all and on a beeline to the Hall of Fame. Welcome Yani Tseng. Tseng trounced the field at the Wegman's LPGA Championship with a -19 final score, fully 10 shots ahead of  runner-up Morgan Pressel. Suzann Pettersen, Paula Creamer, and defending champion Cristie Kerr were locked in a tie for 3rd at -8. Tseng led the tournament wire-to-wire, but saved her best for last with a final round 66 that obliterated any challengers by the turn. It was then a nine hole race for 2nd place. Full Field Final Scores

The US Women's Open will be contested soon, July 7-10, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. At 7,047 yards, par 71, it will be the longest course in the event's history. Expect the long-hitting Tseng to be the odds on favorite here. The women complete their majors on July 28-31 at Carnoustie for the Ricoh Women's British Open. Guess who defends? Yup, Yani Tseng. It wouldn't be out of the question for her to end her summer with six major trophies under her belt or in her trophy case, such as it were. She's so far ahead of the field, and so young, that it's tough to estimate the kinds of records she may set. In the meantime, enjoy the show.







Remember... They make more.

2011 US Open Finale - Rorified Air.

To put things in perspective, Jason Day finished the 2011 US Open at -8, with a total of 276, the third lowest in Open history. Rory McIlroy pasted him by 8 strokes. If this had been a fight, they'd have stopped it after the the second round. McIlroy vanquished the ghosts of Augusta and destroyed the field on his way to his 1st major victory in the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club. Be assured it won't be his last. He compiled 12 US Open scoring records in addition to snagging the trophy, not the least of which was a -16, 268 final total that rendered all previous Open records irrelevant. At 22 years young, and with a seemingly great head on his shoulders, I'd expect him to still be hoisting trophies long after I've stopped playing.Final Full Field Scores

Who in their right mind could have predicted that the only Americans to finish this year's Open in the top ten would be Robert Garrigus and Kevin Chappell. Before you yell Aberration!, keep in mind that international players have captured the last five majors, 75% of which are held in the good ole' USA. The Schwartzels, McIlroys, and Oosthuizens are clearly better than the Mahans, Kuchars, and Johnsons. A shift in golf supremacy has occurred. The fabric of the game is international now. Mickelson, Stricker, and Woods are aging or injured and their wake has been filled by Euros, South Africans, and Germans. These things tend to work in cycles, so expect shifts in dominance to happen. Regardless, it appears American pros are satisfied with big money for 3rd place, while our international counterparts are interested in winning, knowing that the rewards will be there. Just my opinion.

Although a blow-out, the 2011 US Open was compelling viewing. We got to observe first hand a special young man with special talent enter the conversation of great players. I'd love to know what odds you could have gotten two years ago on the next two winners of the US Open being from Northern Ireland.








Swing hard, look up.

2011 U.S. Open - Odds and Expert Picks

The 2011 version of the strictest test in golf, The US Open, will be contested at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. As per usual we here at Average Golfer will list the betting favorites, comment on their chances, and throw a few picks out there to enhance your wagering prospects. The Robert Trent Jones design, last renovated in 2006 by Rees Jones, will play up to 7,574 yds. and par 71. That makes it the 2nd longest Open in history after Torrey Pines.

Without further ado, here's our synopsis....

Phil Mickelson, 14:1 - After so many Open close calls, Phil's the obvious sentimental choice. His game's been a bit shaky this year and I see him possibly contending on Sunday, but doubt he'll win it.

Lee Westwood, 14:1 - Co-favorite. Been world #1 recently. Rock steady putter needed to win an Open. Not his forte. Don't see it.

Luke Donald, 14:1 - Co-co-favorite. World #1. Has the tools, especially around and on the greens. Rain would hurt with his lack of length on this behemoth. Possible.

Rory McIlroy, 20:1 - If he's in it on Sunday we'll get to see if he's shaken off Masters debacle. Can make birdies in bunches. Possible for him to win if his major championship memory is short.

Dustin Johnson, 25:1 - Long enough. Needs to show a maturity he hasn't shown in previous majors. LaCava on the bag should help. Possible, not likely. 

Nick Watney, 25:1 - Great all around game. Showed gravitas of late on bigger stages. Could win.  

Hunter Mahan, 25:1 - All the tools. Would have to elevate to this stage. Certain aloofness that seems to hold him back. Not this time.   

Matt Kuchar, 25:1 - Guaranteed top ten whenever he tees it up. Like him a lot this week.

Steve Stricker, 25:1 - Perhaps tour's best clutch putter. Game's peaking at the right time. Accurate with great course management. My pick for this year's champ.

Martin Kaymer, 33:1 - Disappeared after becoming world #1. Not sure he desires to be the best. Rather passive demeanor. Maybe next year.

KJ Choi, 33:1 - Loves it here with good reason. Playing very well of late. Can handle slick Open greens. Could win. 

Justin Rose, 50:1 - Seems like long odds on great player. Laser-like iron game. Would tale a lot, but could win.

Graeme McDowell, 50:1 - Uncharacteristic blow-up holes and rounds have cost him this year. Defending champ would require an epiphany and return to last year's game. Too much to ask I'm afraid.

Bubba Watson, 50:1 - Another where odds seem out of whack with performance. Definitely can handle the length. Shown he knows how to win with two this year.Good value bet.

Jim Furyk, 50:1 - Tough to ever count him out, but hasn't been the Furyk of old. Will struggle with length. Won't win.

Jason Day, 50:1 - Nice talent. Hot and cold. Cold too often to win here on this stage.

David Toms, 50:1 - Two months ago I'd have say "No way". Looks like the Toms of old. Distance shortage here won't help. Won't win.

AVERAGE GOLFER 2011 US OPEN PICKS

1. Steve Stricker
2. KJ Choi
3. Nick Watney

Dark Horse..... Sergio Garcia


Keep in mind, as a US Open, the field is stuffed with great players. Odds are only estimates by bookies to even out the betting to guard against a catastrophic loss when a ton of money is placed on the winner. As an indication of such, here's some players with a decent shot to win whose odds are 66:1+....... Scott, Schwartzel, Goosen, Ogilvy, Casey, Fowler, Baddeley, Els, Quiros, Garcia, and Yang. Strength of field is what makes this a true championship.

*As per usual, Average Golfer is not responsible for any betting losses and this column is not intended to be a testimonial for any one golfer. Additionally, Average Golfer would expect any winners using this column to profit from said picks to forward a reasonable cut of their winnings. 20% is considered customary. Odds provided by Ladbrokes.






Bet early and often,