A Sports Post-Script

Bob Toski is a 92-year old golf legend from New England who is in the Pro Golf Hall of Fame, and was the leading money winner on the tour in 1954, when cash prizes on the tour was in its infancy.

I have known Toski for many years, have played in foursomes with him, and have received valuable wisdom. Yes, he’ll help anyone he plays with whether you want it or not, or whether you’re half-decent or not.

Bob Toski

 

Nearly 10 years ago, I was on the phone with him when he blurted out, “I’ve got a golfer you’ve got to watch. He’s going to be real good.

His name is KO-EP-KA. Remember that name”.

I did, of course. I had never heard of him. I don’t even think he had begun his professional career, particularly on the U.S. Tour.

So, I’ve been watching KO-EP-KA, as I realize all golf fans do now. And I think of Bob Toski every time Brooks Koepka (Kep-Ka) does something great which he seems to do all the time now in the major championships.

Brooks Koepka

 

Koepka, who has won the last two PGA titles, and finished in a tie for second in the Masters, missed a chance to equal the record of three straight U.S. Open championships set by Willie Anderson in 1905.

Not even the steel-nerved Koepka could overtake Gary Woodland in the final round last week at Pebble Beach.

Talk about focus, determination and the ability to withstand the ultimate pressure, Woodland held off all challengers in capturing his first major championship. He’s 35, and has been around, but he exhibited the skill, scrambling ability and fortitude which frankly we haven’t seen from most of the highly-heralded performers who many predict will win these things, but fall from the wayside.

Gary Woodland

 

I’m talking about the likes of Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and others who seem to either fall apart after they tease golf fans with an early burst, or never leave the starting gate at all.

Tiger Woods was in this group at Monterrey Peninsula, but he just never got in gear.

So, after his legendary triumph at Augusta, Tiger has been basically a no-show in the last two majors.

One thing has impressed me about him, though, has been his ability to contain his frustrations. He has remained likeable through his difficulties, something he wasn’t able to do before. 

I always keep my fingers crossed, but I believe Tiger Woods has matured in a big way.

One final note about the great Bob Toski before I move on, when I first had the honor of playing a round with him, he advised me that he would be giving me instruction as we played.

I told him that wasn’t necessary, but he insisted that as a golf teacher, helping people was what he was all about.

I love the man, and while I did get tips and lessons from a legend, it proved to be a torturous day.

You see, Bob Toski can get a bit irritated when a pupil isn’t showing progress immediate, or otherwise.

When I would hit a drive, or a second shot that veered to the right, Toski would look to one of the others in our foursome and exclaim, “see, he can’t release the club!”

He was referring to me, of course, as I was standing right next to him.

Anytime I failed to execute the way he wanted me to, he would practically shout at someone else while I was right there.

I even said, “Bob, I’m right here”.

He didn’t care.

I’m grateful that I’ve gotten to know Bob Toski, and will never forget his telling me about KO-EP-KA, who didn’t win the U.S. Open, but is without doubt, the best golfer on the Tour as we speak.

I’ve been asked about the U.S. Women’s Soccer team, looking to defend its World Cup title in France.

In their opening match, Team USA swamped Thailand, 13-0, but what caught the ire of some observers, was the over-the-top celebrations after each goal, including the 13th.

There are some who say piling on score-wise was wrong, that after establishing their vast superiority, the Americans should have pulled back.

I don’t agree with that at all. 

There’s an old saying. If you don’t like the punishment you are taking, do something about it. 

Thailand obviously could not, but team USA has trained to play hard, score and defend and win. Pulling back is dangerous.

It is possible to lose your edge. 

I do agree with the critics regarding Team USA’s reaction after each goal.

Once you’ve built up a 6, 7 or 8 goal lead, stop the celebrations. We get the idea.

Show compassion in keeping the mobbing of goal-scorers low key.

Team USA

 

And a post-script on the two major pro winter sports, the NHL and the NBA.

First-time championships for the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Raptors.

St. Louis Blues

 

 

What was similar was that both champs wrapped things up on the road.

In fact, the last three games in the Stanley Cup Finals were won by the visiting team.

The Blues were far superior away from home in the playoffs, and the Raptors won three of their four games on the Warriors home court.

The impression may be, that playing at home represents a big edge. 

Perhaps past history may indicate teams with the home advantage have won more often than not. But that could indicate simply, that they were superior in the decisive games.

Personally, I’ve felt that sometimes, playing the final game at home adds pressure because the home team is usually “expected” to win.

The visitors have a built-in extra-incentive in these game, and it often shows.

It sure did in the NHL, and NBA finals.