Monday, August 31 through Sunday, September 6, 2020
Issue No. 344
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Phones should be taboo at driving ranges and courses |
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Golf Driving Ranges in the Age of
Covid-19
by Andy Dolich
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For all of us who believe that someday during our time on earth we will actually be able to play golf as we see it on TV, we can always work on our sweet swings at the local ball launching pad, The Driving Range – aka TDR.
I sped off to my local DR after the PGA Championship at Harding Park was won in exciting fashion by Cal’s Collin Morikawa. There were no mats available and there was a masked waiting line of many to get in. I have a long list of Pet Peeves in the sports world and here is my first shot.
Pandemic Rules of the Road at the Driving Range:
1. Shut off your F-ing Phone.
2. Leave your dog or parrot at home. (Yes, I have seen Polly perched on a golf bag.)
3. If you hit balls at 45 degree angles to the right or left, go to a mat at the far end so you don’t kill someone while trying to make them believe someone else hit the shot.
4. If you pop the ball straight up because your rubber tee is eight inches tall, either cut it in half, ask for a two incher or just go home.
5. Don’t yell, “I just bombed that 300 yards.” You didn’t, unless your driving range is on an airport runway slanting down or you are in Nepal at Everest base camp.
6. Don’t offer to give others at the range tips unless you can present a PGA teaching certification card. Your swing makes Charles Barkley’s spasms look like Fred Couples swing from heaven.
7. If your little golfers are trying to learn the game, that is fantastic. Get them lessons. If they are running around screaming and about to be comatosed by some yahoo’s backswing, politely instruct them to go over way behind the tee, sit down and shut up!
8. Anyone with two extra large buckets should be avoided like a Pandemic.
9. If you wear or use more than six swing-improvement gadgets during your time on the range, it is already way too late.
10. If you come dressed as if you just played in the PGA at Harding, your stitched logo $450 sweater isn’t fooling anyone!
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Yelling "Fore" should be saved for the golf course
11. A digital rangefinder -- You need that to find the range?
12. Using any of these: Spread Stick range Whip Trainer, Medium Impact Ball, Golf Swing Sonic X10 Plane Swing Power Slider (only $699, operators are standing by) SKLZ Gold Flex Golf Swing trainer. If none of these work, take the Pill (single shot training ball) or better, take a double shot of Sauza Tequila Swing Trainer at the 19th hole.
13. Chatting up those next to you who don’t want to talk.
14. Golf shoes at the range,-- the only thing worse is Flip Flops or bare feet.
15. Using your cell phone on a tripod recording your swing. Just hit the erase button before it goes viral.
16. Avoid anyone stretching on their mat for 10 minutes or more.
17. Running out a few yards to pick up a few more balls, Call 911.
18. Still hitting when the ball retrieving tractor is six yards in front of you. That could take out an eye, yours!
19. Saying that you are “Dialed In” loud enough for others to hear. What compass direction are you confused with?
20. Stay far away from the person who forgets to put the bucket under the ball dispenser.
FORE!
Stay safe, sane and masked.
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Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is COO of the Fan Controlled Football League (FCFL) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies.
Dolich is also co-author of the book:
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Letters to the Editor
Editor,
GREAT last issue! All of it and leading off with the editorial reviews of Andy Dolich's Gull piece was awesome. Only goes to show you that there is still a great deal of grist for the mill!
Ann Cooke
Alameda
Independent BEMER Distributor US #23285
Editor,
Your publication has consistently presented writers who have provided great articles. You have recently included Pete Elman as a contributor and I congratulate you for that addition. Mr. Elman is a brilliant writer and I look forward to his continued presence in your publication.
Arif Khatib
Oakland
Editor,
Thank you for your excellent newsletters and magazines, filled with beautiful pictures and articles. I am leaving Wild Planet Foods for new adventures in the US Midwest with my wonderful husband. We don’t know where we will land but life is always an adventure. Thank you!
Mrs. E
Wild Planet Foods, McKinleyville, CA
Editor,
Thanks! Enjoyed last issue as usual, and my daughter and I are having fun with the A’s and the Giants – at least it is a great change from the regular news which are rather depressing, between the coming elections, the fires and the virus… The smoke is killing us these last few days and it is impossible to do any work outside – I hate that. Hope your air is better than ours? Stay well and “Carpe Diem!”
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore
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Slick fielding Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has come alive at the plate recently, raising his average to a very respectable .313 after Sunday's 4-1 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants continue their run of improved play and now sport a 17-19 record after taking the Diamondback series, 2-1. The Giants now move on to Colorado for a two-game set beginning Tuesday night at 5:40 p.m. Above, Belt is pictured in the Giants 10-8 win over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park earlier this month, extending their win streak to seven games. Photo by Rich Yee.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy G. had the distinct pleasure of taking in a San Francisco Giants game recently, along with the good fortune to share the game with lovely fans on either side. (Surprisingly, each had the same name -- Jeremy Ross. What a coincidence!) Photo by Rich Yee.
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Among the 13,000-plus loyal fans now calling Oracle Park home are none other than Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., seen above beaming at their unobstructed views . Photo by Rich Yee.
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There’s still time to sign up for the Virtual San Francisco Giant Race presented by Alaska Airlines, run/walk for our official charity partner the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA, and score the coveted 2020 Giant Race Bobblehead
featuring Renel Brooks-Moon!
Don’t delay, we have a limited supply. BONUS: All runners will get a FREE Giants-themed neck gaiter along with a ton of other swag with registration.
The San Francisco Giant Race Virtual event is open to all ages, all speeds, all shapes and all sizes. Run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or sign up for our Kids Race & get the kiddos out of the house. Go ahead and click “REGISTER” now and race with us virtually!
Run for a great cause! Join us and support the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA. When the world came to a screeching halt in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA continued to offer services and support to our local community. For over 24 weeks the heroes at the Y have helped provide for families in need of emergency child care and neighbors experiencing food insecurity as well as offering essential supplies for those in need. It goes without saying they deserve a GIANT thank you and our collective support for the impactful work they’re doing to help those in need in our community.
Get out and get moving with us on September 6 and support the Bayview Hunters Point YMCA while you’re at it.
Can’t participate but still want to support the cause that’s so near
and dear to our Renel’s heart?”
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Above, Oakland A's relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (16) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) as he walks off the field at Oracle Park earlier this month, having defeated the San Francisco Giants, 7-6. The A's are sidelined for the moment after a COVID-19 positive test surfaced among the players or their traveling party in Houston on Saturday evening, forcing the cancellation of Sunday's finale game. (The affected individual was not identified.) The A’s will remain in Houston until at least Monday morning, with hopes of receiving further test results and determining whether this is “an isolated infection.” It is unclear when the A's will play again or if their series against the Seattle Mariners, scheduled to begin in Seattle on Tuesday evening, will take place. Photo by Darren Yamashita.
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Odds to win the 2020 World Series |
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San Francisco Giants -- 160/1 |
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Oakland Athletics -- 12/1 |
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For Your Handy Use
2020 San Francisco Giants Schedule
2020 Oakland A's Schedule
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Sonny Gray, pitcher, Cincinnati Reds
It was only natural that a high school boy with a blazing fastball who hailed from Nashville, Tennessee would make a verbal commitment to play baseball at his hometown college, Vanderbilt University. But right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray would never graduate as a Commodore, forgoing his senior year in favor of signing with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted him 18th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft. After two years in the A’s minor league system, Gray was called up in July 2013 to bolster their bullpen, was sent back down to the minors for several weeks, and was then recalled in August 2013 to make is first Major League start. Gray soon became a key player in the A’s rotation as their fifth starter and was named the Opening Day starter in both 2014 and 2015. After struggling through multiple injuries in 2016, Gray was eventually traded to the New York Yankees in July 2017, who traded him to the Cincinnati Reds in January 2019. Gray rebounded with the Reds, placing 7th in the 2019 National League Cy Young voting. At 30 years of age, Gray currently has a 5-1 won-loss record with the Reds in 2020, while boasting a 1.94 ERA in seven games.
Caption and photo by Kenny Karst.
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Sure, I was never known as a speed demon, but hey, I went 6-for-7 in stolen base attempts for the San Francisco Giants two years in a row (2016 and 2017). That's a better steal percentage than Rickey Henderson's career mark! That's gotta count for something, right?
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The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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Hockey has their Stanley Cup. Football has their Lombardi Trophy. What was the name of the first trophy awarded for the championship of Basketball?
(See answer below...)
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"It's an ocean planet. As the oceans go, so goes the planet."
-- Bill Carvalho, Wild Planet founder and president
Wild Planet Foods has been honored with TWO awards by Whole Foods Market -- Global Supplier of the Year AND Environmental Stewardship! The annual awards recognize suppliers who embody Whole Foods Market's mission and values through a proven commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation,
and partnership.
More Awards and Counting!
Prevention -- 100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards
Men's Health -- 125 Best Foods for Men
Prevention -- Eat Clean Best Packaged Foods
Every Day with Rachael Ray -- Brand New Buy
Better Homes and Gardens -- Catch of the Day
Clean Eating -- Clean Choice Awards
Natural Health -- 3rd Annual Good Food Awards
Runner's World -- Good Catch
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Trojan Magic wins the 8th race on Saturday, August 29, ridden by William Antongeorgi III, trained by Jonathan Wong and owned by Calara Farms and R3 Racing LLC. The one mile turf race went in 1:36.59 with a purse of $12,000. Photo credit: William Vassar / Vassar Photography.
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The Earthquakes celebrate the match's opening goal
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, LA Galaxy 3
16-year-old Cade Cowell scores in first start
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes fell to the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Saturday night at Dignity Health Sports Park. Sixteen-year-old Cade Cowell became the youngest player in club history to start and the youngest player in club history to score, while rookie defender Tanner Beason made his
MLS debut.
San Jose jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when defender Tommy Thompson sent a low cross that found Vako at the back post and his first-timed shot flew past goalkeeper David Bingham. It marked Vako's second goal of the season and 25th of his MLS career. Vako is now tied with Brian Ching for the fifth most goals in club history.
The Galaxy tied the match 22 minutes later by way of a Daniel Steres header.
The Earthquakes regained the lead on a curling effort by Cowell in the 59th minute, the first of his career. He cut the ball from the left onto his right foot and sent his shot from distance just inside the far post.
LA scored two goals over the last 20 minutes to regain the lead and ultimately hold on for three points.
The Earthquakes will return to San Jose before traveling back to Los Angeles to face LAFC at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 8:00 p.m. PT. The match, presented by Michelob ULTRA, will be broadcast live on UniMas/TUDN, KNBR 1050 and1370 KZSF.
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Sonoma Raceway's Steve Page |
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Sonoma Raceway President Steve Page to retire at year-end
SONOMA, Calif. (Aug. 27, 2020) – After nearly three decades at the helm of Northern California’s premier motorsports facility, Sonoma Raceway President and General Manager Steve Page announced today that he will retire at the end of 2020.
Page’s 29-year tenure at the road course and drag strip, which began in 1991 at then-Sears Point Raceway, spanned two owners and the evolution of the raceway from an underdeveloped facility to a modern professional sports venue and performance automotive center. Page promoted and supervised events with a variety of the top racing series, including NASCAR, NHRA and IndyCar, as well as unique events focused on green transportation and the future of mobility.
“I have been so fortunate to work all these years with an amazing team and to have the support of a company in Speedway Motorsports that is committed to operating the top facilities in our industry,” said Page, who resides in Sonoma with his wife, Judy. “This decision did not come easily, but I ultimately decided it was time to begin a new chapter and find other ways to be active in this wonderful community where we are so fortunate to live.”
In addition to ushering the 1,600-acre property through a $100 million modernization from 1999-2002, Page is a respected member of the Sonoma County business and non-profit community. Under his leadership, the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $6.8 million to Sonoma County nonprofit youth organizations since 2001. Page also serves as board chair for the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation and the North Bay Leadership Council, and is a board member of Speedway Children’s Charities and the Road Racing Industry Council. He also serves on advisory boards for 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County and Social Advocates for Youth and is a former chair of the Sonoma County Tourism Council.
“Steve Page has been an exceptional leader throughout our company’s history with Sonoma Raceway,” said Speedway Motorsports President and Chief Executive Officer Marcus Smith. “Not only has he been an integral part of producing so many historic race events at Sonoma, he’s established the facility as a true servant to the community and elevated Sonoma Raceway’s status as a premier motorsports destination for both competition and doing business.
“Steve has a passion for doing things the right way and we are grateful for the many contributions he has made to Sonoma Raceway, Speedway Motorsports and the greater region of Northern California.”
Page came to the raceway after 11 years working in marketing and special events for Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics where, among other responsibilities, he served as coordinator for the 1987 MLB All-Star Game. Before entering the sports arena, Page spent several years on Capitol Hill as press secretary for U.S. Congressman Leon Panetta. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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Ricky's Sports Bar --
GoFundMe page established to help
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SAN LEANDRO (CBS SF) — A well-known San Leandro sports bar may have to close after 74 years because of the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, the bar’s owners said last week. Financial struggles could shut down Ricky’s Sports Theatre and Grill at 15028 Hesperian Blvd., which has been
open since 1946.
“Nobody wants to be in this spot,” owner Tina Ricardo said in an interview.
“I hope to get it back open.”
Ricky's has been closed during the shelter-in-place order and still has bills to pay, wrote supporter Dr. Robert Gingery, a vascular surgeon, on a GoFundMe page to raise money for the bar. Gingery is friends with the owners,
Tina and Ricky Ricardo.
To help this valuable and venerable community treasure, please visit the GoFundMe page: Save Ricky’s Sports Bar organized by Robert Gingery
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In the last seasons of the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Ultimate Sports Guide photographer Ed Jay collected images and stories of some of the Raiders most passionate and beloved fans. To view and read their stories, click on this link and revisit your all-time favorites. Above, Candy Padilla. Photo by Ed Jay.
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Who Am I?
San Francisco Giants catcher
Buster Posey!
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Buster Posey was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft and made his MLB debut in 2009. After starting the 2010 season in the minor leagues, Posey was called back up to the MLB in May. With the presence of then full-time catcher Bengie Molina, Posey played first base but became the Giants' regular catcher at the end of June when Molina was traded to the Texas Rangers.
As a rookie, he finished with a .305 batting average and was named National League Rookie of the Year. He caught every inning of the playoffs as the Giants won the 2010 World Series. In 2011, after he was severely injured in a collision with Scott Cousins at home plate. Posey missed most of the year.
Posey returned in 2012 and posted a .336 batting average to win the 2012
NL batting title and was named the NL Most Valuable Player. Posey signed a franchise-record eight-year, $167 million contract extension with the Giants and won his first Gold Glove Award after an excellent defensive season in 2016. Posey opted out of playing in the shortened 2020 season, due largely to his adoption of twin girls and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sports are only one of many interests pursued by talented USG photographer Rich Yee and above is an image from his Dancing in the Rain album. To enjoy, click Facebook. Photo by Rich Yee.
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Win Once in a Lifetime Raiders Football Cleats! |
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Imagine Having Your Very Own Raiders Football Cleats. Enter the SportStars NOW app & Social Media Giveaway Today!
Download the FREE "SportStars NOW" App. Users have a shot at winning brand new Raiders Cleats provided to our buddies at Strapemup Sports before the team left for Las Vegas.
You can enter to win Raiders cleats in a couple different ways. FIRST download the app for either Apple or Android and enter! Then
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The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the Ultimate Sports Guide, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The Ultimate Sports Guide is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net or send $5 to: Ultimate Sports Guide,
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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WEEKLY SPORTS CALENDAR
Monday, August 31 through Sunday, September 6, 2020
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Games for most major and minor league sports, including collegiate and high school teams,
have been cancelled.
Monday, August 31
Tuesday, September 1
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies 5:40 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, September 2
San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Thursday, September 3
Oakland A's @ Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
Friday, September 4
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. San Diego Padres, 6:40 p.m.
Saturday, September 5
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 6:15 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. San Diego Padres, 1:10 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. San Diego Padres, 1:10 p.m.
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Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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Need a website designed or tuned up?
We can help!
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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Join Us As A Sponsor!
Economical and rewarding.
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
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The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.
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5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
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Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
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