So, two stories of underdogged determination and another straight from the Fred Allen school of needling.
I’m not a football fan by any means but have been thoroughly impressed with the run of the Auckland FC to third at the Club World Cup. What gives this rabble of part time soccer types who had to take leave from work, the right to beat up on the world’s great players on a great stage? I’ll tell you what. Kiwi-ness. We have always punched well above our weight in all sports given our small population. Soccer (football) has been on the rise and this probably means that this type of result shouldn’t be unexpected like it was when we had only one player playing in Europe. Well done fullas – I’m ordinarily of the opinion that 3rd is the second loser, but in a game where the difference between the sporting royalty and the club player is vast, Auckland FC should be extremely proud.
Another story of sheer will and determination is that of Greg Chalmers. They call him Snake for obvious reasons and would be one of the least athletic looking golfers out there today. Not overly long off the tee. Not a great iron player. A pretty good pitcher and chipper. A very good putter. What he does have is a solidness that seems to bless left-handed players. Last week was the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. It had been pissing down all week with some fierce thunderstorms so looked as if the course may well suit a big hitting animal – like father-to-be Adam Scott – or an unusually gifted ball striker – many of whom ended up in the top ten. But, along came the snake. After 3 straight scores of 71 he goes out and shoots 64 on Sunday. 64!!! Are you mad? Pin-up boy Scotty and childhood mate Wade Ormsby shoot 71 each to tie. 3-way playoff. Scotty murders the ball. A 430m hole reduced to a drive and a sand wedge 7 times in the playoff. Greg almost loses it but bins a 10 footer keeping him in it. Adam Scott showed us that ball striking can take you only so far with one of the most atrocious displays of putting ever. The Snake kept after his prize and eventually outlasted the more athletic, longer, better looking Adam Scott. Great stuff. I should think that the ability to play golf should be what wins championships – not just enormous hitting. We’ve seen Rory and Martin Kaymer play golf to the extreme this year and Greg proves that playing golf is his forte, like the great Australians before him. Well done mate.
My last little prod for the day is to do with seven footer Steven Adams. Nick Young of the LA Lakers labelled Steve a sneaky and dirty player. I don’t think he’s dirty, but sneaky yes. It seems he has that ability to piss an opponent off with the ease of Sean Fitzpatrick. I remember him winding Blake Griffen up last year and did it again last night. Young lashed out and was sent off/ejected. Fabulous. Not only a very effective basketballer, but a wise player at a young age. Merry Christmas Stevie.
Ahhhhh writing again. It’s nice and look forward to bring you some more. See y’all soon.
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