Sports Commentary

We are now heading into our monsoon season. The golf courses will certainly benefit from the rain and added nitrogen emitted from the lightning that these monsoon storms produce. Look for the dry areas to become green very soon!

We have a relatively new family who moved to Prescott about three years ago from the San Diego area, Aaron and Shuko Cooley with their two children Ethan and Clare.

I drank the water in Grapevine Canyon recently untreated, as I have done on several previous occasions. I was high above the new fence, designed to keep livestock restricted to the lower portion of this designated botanical area on the Prescott National Forest.

Two weeks ago, we discussed some common courtesies that as golfers, we should be aware of and apply to make the game of golf better for everyone.

My good friend Beth Miller, who took up the game of tennis this past year or so, posed the question to me about whether the game of tennis can be played just for fun (with no real pressure or killer expectations) or competitively, where there is a true dedication derived to excel within your age and ability level and time you have to devote.

Trail 21 on the north side of Bill Williams Mountain is one of the finest day hikes in Arizona. How could it become “The Hike from Hell?” The trail is well-made and easy to follow.

Open up a copy of the Rules of Golf or on your smart phone, load and open the app USGA Rules of Golf.

Ask what and who keeps tennis vibrant in the Prescott area — and the answer is primarily the “Prescott Area Tennis Association.”

Fire restrictions are ahead of schedule thanks to the ongoing drought.

Anyone who has played this game for any time, realizes that distance is a big factor.

When life throws you a curveball out of the blue it can be more than tough to not only relearn how to survive, but to find a new way to thrive, a new meaning, different kinds of enjoyable challenges around the hardships that have to be dealt with on a daily basis.

I heard the distinct buzz of a rattlesnake as I slowly made my way up Grapevine Creek recently. I instinctively stopped.

Our youth have suffered a lot during these few past years with lockdowns, zoom classrooms, cancelled sports and social activities, etc. The setbacks they have endured can be life-changing but luckily there is golf.

Most of us avid tennis players kind of “lucked” into the game. My parents put my brother and I into a 4 week clinic taught by local tennis volunteers who were good enough to take the time to do such, and 50 plus years later I’m still at it, reaping the benefits of this special life-long sport.

“Hiking” the Maricopa Trail in sections amounts to covering over 450 miles. I began on Nov. 11 and finished April 3.

May I be frank with you? Or Wayne, or Connie or Bob? Seriously, we all have an ego. You would love to hit that little golf ball farther than you do. Admit it – you want more distance, as you think it will help you lower your score.

The question for many in Prescott regarding tennis might be, why does Yavapai College have a tennis facility when it doesn’t even have a tennis team? And that’s a pretty fair question.

There are any number of ways to save money while continuing to hike. With the price of fuel on the rise, my strategy focuses on hiking nearer to home. Therefore, Fain Park, with Fain Lake in Prescott Valley and the trail to the ancient Fitzmaurice Pueblo is on my radar.

This week’s column deals with the Masters Invitational. It is not a PGA Tour event but is a true invitational, hosted by the members of Augusta National. It is unique and Augusta National is a hallowed place that is revered by all – golfers and non-golfers. Here are a few fun facts and quotes to add to your enjoyment as you watch the final round today.

Billie Jean King, one of the most iconic female athlete’s the world has known to date, has recently published her autobiography, called “All In” and to me it’s a “must read.”

The end is in sight. My progress on the Maricopa Trail to date is just over 200 miles or 86% of the innermost loop of this urban trail system.

By now, most of you think I am a little different. Sorry to disappoint you, but I am very different, not a little! For instance, some have asked me where did I grow up? I honestly reply, “I haven’t yet!”

There’s nothing like a road trip to the BNP Masters tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Hiking north on the Black Canyon Trail from the New River Trailhead with a couple of Friends from Spring Valley Library, we searched for spring wildflowers.

The short answer is “no”. The swing will be different in feel than the way it really is, or actually looks.