Jordan Spieth: One Gutsy Move and the Importance of Language

I can still recall which words were not permissible in the Stricherz house. Cussing and swearing was not tolerated, nor was taking the Lord's name in vain. I am glad I grew up in a home that paid attention to language and the power of words. This family value required self control, reflection and intention behind what we said and why we said it. I hope this gives a slice of context for how I describe what Jordan Spieth did on Saturday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Standing on the edge of a cliff, Spieth made a par save by adhering to Rule 9: "play the ball as it lies." Since the area where Spieth's ball was a lateral hazard, he could have used the rules of golf to gain a better lie (with a one stroke penalty), Spieth went for it, keeping fans, his wife and family on the edge of our seats.

I call it gutsy. Others call it ballsy. KNBR's Brian Murphy recalled the shot by proclaiming that "Spieth has cajones." He has used that word before and will use it again. It doesn't sit well with me. Here's why.

It isn't uncommon these days to describe a risky move or daring play with a reference to cajones or huevos. However, that is an association I have never made of myself or the young women I coach. I would never say "big huevos!" In my role as Assistant Athletic Director, I would not tell a male athlete I supervise that I am impressed by his cajones. It's almost uncomfortable to write that out! 

I understand many people link aggression to testosterone—which both men and women have, to varying degrees. However, according to the University of Michigan's study on Anger, Hostility and Violent behavior, aggression is more than that. It is a product of adrenaline and other hormones that are released into the bloodstream. "Then your blood pressure goes up, your heart beats faster, and you breathe faster." Cajones and Huevos are not mentioned.

To this day, I pay careful attention to the vernacular of those around me. I can't say I never swear—sometimes, it's appropriate, even necessary. But I also think it can be overused and inappropriate (I wish Springsteen had used half the number of F bombs in "Springsteen on Broadway"). I am mindful of the slang I use. Balls, cajones and huevos are three examples that do not resonate with me. Are they inappropriate? Not entirely. Are there better choices? I think so.

I describe the athletes I watch and coach as "tough." and I like it when athletes play that way. I speak often of the physicality involved in a game. I love an athlete who has pluck. I would say they have guts or chutzpah.

I think we are always invited to think about the words we use. This is why we should read, especially the great authors. Their use of language is magnificent.

Whenever I am asked what is my dream job, my response is a sports announcer. I would love to do what Hannah Storm does. My dream would afford me the opportunity to put into practice what I value—the usage of words and language to describe and celebrate all that happens on the court and off. In the meantime, I will keep talking and writing about gutsy plays and big accomplishments.

Jordan Spieth and his caddy Michael Greller embrace after that save.
Always love seeing them in Monterey

Photo Credits:
Cliffside and Hug

Seven Days in Augusta: My Book Review, Sans Expectations

As written in my last post, I have learned to embrace a philosophy of low to no expectations. I don't take naturally to this way of seeing the world, but like a lot of things in life, it's important to remember that we don't have to get there alone. Let my book review of "Seven Days in Augusta: Behind the Scenes at the Masters" serve as my example.

I doubt that Mark Cannizzaro, a columnist for the New York Post and the author of this book would appreciate that introduction for his latest work. However, that is exactly how the text came to me.

My friend Lesley —one of my favorite golfing buddies—and I speak a lot of sports. She is tuned into the San Francisco Giants, our local sports station: KNBR, Golden State Warriors and of course the PGA/LPGA. When I saw her copy of "Seven Days in Augusta," I was excited to hear her impression. I picked it up and enthusiastically asked,  How was it? Lots of great stories? KNBR radio host Brian Murphy had lavished such praise, I felt for but a moment as though I were holding the golden ticket.

She told me, "for all the air time and hype it got, this book is not at all what I thought it would be.  It jumps all over the place. There are so many necessary edits, I wanted to grab a red pen and make changes. Even Phil's intro was lackluster." I thought to myself "that's too bad." I shrugged my shoulders and put it in my bag anyway. Expectations GONE.

I cannot tell you just how much I enjoyed this read. For one, the subject is among my favorites. I went to The Masters on Saturday and Sunday in 2016. Though the outcome wasn't what many golf fans had hoped for (the defending champion Spieth led by five shots when he made the turn, made a quadruple-bogey 7 at the 12th. He tied for second place, 3 shots behind the winner), I did see two holes-in-one that day. Just to experience what I have long watched on television was super special. To combine my memories and impressions with Cannizzarro's  anecdotes, traditions, history and stories was delightful. 

The foreward— written by Phil Mickelson— includes stories that only a beloved athlete like him has to share. For example, he recalls legendary foursomes with past champions and athletic celebrities. In a practice round before the tournament, he played with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Mickelson writes, "Tom said "Hey, listen. I've got to throw to [Patriot's receiver Julian] Edelman. I always throw a little bit to keep my arm sharp. Do you mind catching a few passes?" I can't believe Mickelson said "yes." I mean, I can—but is his hand insured?  

It was fascinating to read what each of his three championships meant to him. Not many golfers can give that take. Lefty said,

When I won the Masters for the first time in 2004, it was one of those moments that you kind of realize a dream. When you put stuff out there in the universe and you say, "This is what's going to happen, I'm going to do this," and then you actually do it...that's a cool moment. And that's what was happening for me when I won there for the first time." 

Whether or not Mickelson read "The Secret," I think there is something to be said for setting goals, creating a can-do mindset and then taking in the moment as it happens. Reading from this champion inspired me to consider how I do that in my life and remembering to tell my athletes to do the same.

"Seven Days in Augusta" is organized by days of the week, reflecting on a unique attribute of the tourney that corresponds to it. For example, Part One: Monday includes chapters entitled First Impressions, The Locals and The Paper.

I loved reading about the local rag, The Augusta Chronicle "which might as well be named the Masters Chronicle, because there isn't a publication on the planet that has done a better, more thorough and creative job on chronicling the history of the Masters than the local paper." 

Unfortunately, I did not pick up my own copy when I traveled to the second largest city in Georgia. However, reading about their paper sparked memories of "The Observer" —the student newspaper at Notre Dame. The Observer's back page featured sports stories. Without exception football was covered in extensive detail...but so was Bookstore Basketball, the world's largest five-on-five tourney. Features were so detailed and lengthy, we wondered if we read more about Bookstore heroes and heroines than the actual men's and women's hoops teams....

Given financial decline of the newspaper business and the digital revolution, The Augusta Chronicle will likely become a part of Masters history. It should be no surprise that Cannizzaro included its import and I'm glad he did.

Part Two: Tuesday features The Dinner, The Town and The Tree. I can't wait to write a future blog post on the traditions and the menus that take place at the Dinner—a truly exclusive event, open only to past champions!

The Table of Contents speaks for itself. Beyond the Par-3 contest, the honorary starter, moving day, historic defeats and climatic victories, "Seven Days in Augusta" brings the people, place and events of The Masters to life.

I am pretty sure I have passed on a vignette from "Seven Days in Augusta" in nearly round of golf I have played since I read it. Spend enough time with me and you will learn that I want to eat at T-Bonz—a steakhouse that hosts the final dinner for caddies. Or, how lucky I feel  that I was able to attend the crown jewel of golf when I did. New security around tickets, makes that even more tough. 

I can see how this tournament is like Christmas week for those who live and work in Augusta. I passed by Hooters on Washington Road and even though John Daly might not be long for this world, I'm still not sure I want to stop by and have him sign any part of my anatomy. I have always been obsessed with the green jacket—Pantone 342. I knew that Sergio wore his jacket at this wedding but my favorite story involved the much maligned Patrick Reed who wore his to a Knicks game. Sitting court-side for the first time with his wife Justine, their seats were next to Chris Rock an 2-Chains. What happened is worth reading. The bottom line is that sports really do offer the gift of connection

Would I have enjoyed "Seven Days in Augusta" as much as I did if my expectations were different? Maybe....but maybe not. 

What I have always found interesting is that we find books, but quite often—books find us. This was one of those and I'm grateful to Lesley and to reading it with no expectations. 

ENJOY!

Photo Credits
Phil Wins
Masters Pins
Book Cover
Reed at Knicks Game

Sunday at the Masters: Keep Your Expectations!

I've learned more than I ever thought I would from the Notre Dame Women's basketball team's National Championship. Their win reminded me—once again—of how much more I enjoy life when I hold no expectations. Holding low to no expectations allows a person to receive events, people, places as a gift. When I hold on too tightly or want an outcome too much, invariably I am disappointed. So after feeling joy and elation all week from the Irish win, I couldn't help but tread lightly into the 2018 Masters. 

Patrick & Justine Reed at Notre Dame Stadium. Fall, 2017

Undoubtedly my favorite sports week of the year, I was so afraid that Sunday at the Masters might be sleepy. Last year, was truly one for the ages and I was fearful that this year would be but a whimper....or a whisper. As anyone who watched the 82nd Masters Tourney knows: it never disappoints. Here are but a few thoughts...

Amen Corner
For the past two years, I have watched the first of the four Majors at what might be my favorite party of the year. The host family hangs a Masters flag outside, decorates their homes with Azaleas and we eat and drink the traditional food found at Augusta National. I love that the gathering begins with Mass and I should have known it was going to be a great day when the priest, a friend of the host family, sat in one corner of the living room and welcomed us to Amen Corner. I loved his nod to the treacherous though beautiful twelfth hole. It was a quick round, excuse me, Mass and a wonderful way to gather for "Divine Mercy Sunday." 

No need for the golf gods to descend their mercy on the players today, a championship round is always a gift. And despite my fear, today was no exception.

Humanity
I honestly think my favorite moment of the entire tournament was when Jordan Speith cleared the water on that illustrious and infamous twelfth hole in Amen Corner. I think you can both see and feel trepidation. I wasn't there, so I don't know, but coming to the tee box with his score—five under par—I have a sense you could smell the trepidation, too.

In "Masters 2018, Jordan Spieth comes up short, but adds to his Augusta aura with Sunday 64," Spieth said

“What we did on 12 today was really cool,” began the 24-year-old Dallas native, who smiled when he saw his 9-iron reach dry land. “I mean that hole, even when I didn’t hit it in the water in previous years, I three‑putted in 2015 for bogey. So, to play a disciplined shot, probably the most pressure‑packed shot I’ve ever hit. Again, I had no idea where I stood, but still the Sunday pin at Augusta, and I know what I’ve done, and my history there. To stand in that kind of pressure and hit the shot to the safe zone, [and] to knock that putt in was massive for me going forward.”

Though golf is not a great spectator sport, moments like this—experienced in the flesh—are electric. Spieth gave his caddy, Michael Greller a strong high five. Knowing his history, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief, gave each other high fives and celebrated as Spieth threw that monkey off his back.

On this hole, even a par for Jordan Spieth on Sunday at the Masters is a victory. Instead, he sank a 30-foot putt from off the back of the green, marking what was his sixth birdie on the day. That's great golf.

The Collective, Communal Experience
As I have written before, so much about the Masters is counterintuitive to life today. One spends a whole lot of money to attend a tournament where you don't have to pay for parking. Yes, you read that right. And, as a sign of hospitality, the prices are kept low inside the concessions stands. You will wonder if you read those signs correctly, too. One won't find a cell phone in sight, a fact that is nearly impossible for my students to believe. Consequently, other than a whole lot of gear one can only purchase at Augusta National, all I carry with me from the 2016 Masters are the memories. No photos...no selfies...no tweets on site, nothing. 

The upside of walking the course hands-free is that people look up, out and above. Instead of gazing at a screen for scores and player profiles, I talked to others. We smelled the Azaleas, referred to the printed schedule and reviewed the map and kept eyes and ears on the hand opereated leaderboard. 

That's right, the sounds of Augusta don't come from an electronic device or a pre-recorded sound session. There is nothing digital about it. What you will hear at the Masters are birds, the crowd clapping and cheering and from time to time a roar when a golfer makes a magnificent feat or as was the case on Sunday, the leaderboard reveals a player is moving. After back to back Birdies on 15 and 16, the scorekeeper made the adjustment. Spieth was moving....his new score? 9 under par. (the red is intentional!) 

In today's world, any fan on site gets the information as it happens. For those at the Masters, some saw Spieth's shot. Other may have heard rumors. But, the collective experience meant that fans learned about the great competition together. There's something to be said for it.

Patrick Reed
Though I was hoping for Jordan Spieth or Rickie Fowler to emerge victoriously, I was happy for the first-time champion Patrick Reed. Most golf fans know Reed from his performance as "Captain America" in the 2016 Ryder Cup. This showdown of great golf put Team USA in the lead as he defeated his Sunday pairing, Rory McIlroy. However, I have been a quiet fan since I watched his interview on Feherty, a spot he earned—no doubt—after a win for the Red, White, and Blue. 

Reed is an aggressive golfer. His style is fun to watch. His wife, Justine served as his caddy for years. Time on the road and the demands of golf must tax even the strongest of relationships. Knowing they worked together in this way, made me appreciate something more about this bold and brash superstar (mostly in his mind). Mrs. Reed handed the bag over to her brother, Kessler Karain when she became pregnant with their first child. To David Feherty, Reed offered wonderful remarks about Justine's knowledge of the game and the support she has provided both on and off the course.

When I saw them both at the Notre Dame vs. Georgia game, my tacit approval changed into true fandom. He could have worn Red and Black. Instead, he made the wiser choice: Blue and Gold. Too bad he went with that fuschia pink on Sunday!!

Thank You
Early this week, countless people have said to me "I think of you when I see the Masters." Thank you! That insight and personal sharing mean a lot to me. But, I get just as excited to hear sports fans and non-sports, golfers and non-golfers discussing the greatness that is this wonderful tournament—an event that lives up to its expectations and its name. I'm already excited for next year...!

Photo Credits
@ND: Thank you Don!!
Winning
Leaderboard
Jordan Happy/Spieth and Greller

The Masters: An Unspeakable Grace

I've said it before and I'll say it again: words have power. Though actions speak louder than words, words speak volumes. 

"I love you." 

"I hate you." 

"Congratulations!"  

"It's over."

Those are words that do not fall on deaf ears. And I will never forget the first time I encountered a set of words—powerful ones—that confused me.

I was teaching ethics, we were studying Life Issues and the writings of Pope John Paul II, a saint who wrote extensively on the sanctity of human life. He wrote of the Culture of Death, and referred to abortion as "an unspeakable crime." I wasn't sure what he meant. In due time, I came to understand that some acts are so grievous, so heinous that we don't speak about them—we can't. The emotion they evoke is too tragic. The reality is so painful that we cannot ever speak of them. To describe an act as "unspeakable" gave new insight unto its power. Wow. And yet, an experience I've had this past week has led me to yet another understanding. 

I leave tomorrow for Augusta, Georgia to attend the Masters Golf tournament. People keep asking me about it and...I don't know what to say. I can't even begin to speak about it. I don't know how to...I don't want to. For me, it's something different. I consider it an unspeakable... grace.

Most people refer to it as a "bucket list" activity, but even that sells it short. I'm trying to put it into another context, but I don't know what...or how. This notion of the unspeakable has helped.

I've been to many golf tournaments, including three majors (US Open: 2006 Winged Foot, 2010 Pebble Beach and 2012 Olympic Club). Attending a golf tourney in person isn't the same as watching it on television. Reclined on one's couch, the viewer can see every shot as well as multiple golfers in the field. There isn't much lag time as the camera flies over one hole to the next. The low lull of the announcers offers a sweet accompaniment. I think watching golf, specifically The Masters, is one of my favorite things to do. In fact, I think it's my favorite sporting event. But in person, your vision is limited to where you stand beside the tee box or around the green. How this will transpire at the 80th Masters? I know not. 

The sheer beauty of Augusta National, a former nursery awaits.  The vibrant greens, the pristine white of the bunkers, the neon of the azaleas—it's surreal. I know I'm biased—I love golf—but to me, it's heaven on earth. One one hand I know what I'm in for: Amen Corner, Magnolia Lane, the white jump suits each caddy must wear, the yellow flag, the green jacket, the roar of the crowds and the tears that I have never failed to shed when the winner is crowned. And on the other hand, I can't put words to what will be.

I can share fun trivia (see below) and tell you what I know about the culture of the event: food and drink is incredibly low priced, fans place a leave a 3-legged stool beside a green of their choice and can leave it there all day—occupied or not. But ask me how I'm feeling about attending with seven friends, and I can't. It's unspeakable...a true grace....I'm so grateful.

Let this posting be an invitation to consider the unspeakable graces in your own life. I can name a few, but I'll let them go unsaid.

Facts and Trivia (Thank you Malia!)

•  The Masters is the most viewed golf tournament in the world, broadcast in more than 200 countries. 

•  Face value of a four-day badge at the Masters is a paltry $250.  Unfortunately only a small number are available via lottery;  most tickets are provided to members, corporate sponsors and players.  Secondary ticket market prices can be in the high four figures. 

•  Jack Nicklaus is the oldest player to win a Masters Tournament, at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days in 1986. 

•  Tiger Woods is the youngest player to win, at 21 years, 3 months and 14 days in 1997. 

•  Gary Player was the first non-American to win the tournament (1961). 

•  Gary Player (1959-1982) holds the record for:  most appearances, 52;  and number of consecutive cuts made, 23. 

•  Nick Price and Greg Norman share the course record of 63, with their rounds coming in 1986 and 1996 respectively. 

•  In 2013, Guan Tianlang became the youngest player ever to compete in the Masters, at age 14 years, 168 days;  the following day, he became the youngest ever to make the cut. 

•  The highest/worst winning score of 289 (+1) has occurred three times:  Sam Snead (1954), Jack Burke, Jr. (1956) and Zach Johnson (2007).  

•  No amateur has ever won the Masters. 

•  Mark O'Meara played in 15 Masters before he won in 1998. The average number of attempts before a victory is six. 

•  Fuzzy Zoeller is the only player to win the tournament during his first trip to Augusta (1979). 

•  Lee Elder (1974) became the first African American to play in the Masters. 

•  Only three players have ever won back-to-back titles:  Jack Nicklaus, 1965-1966;  Nick Faldo, 1989-1990;  and Tiger Woods, 2001-2002. 

•  Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are the only living pro golfers who are Augusta National members. 

•  Avid golfer Dwight Eisenhower is the only US president to have been a club member.  

•  Amen Corner refers to holes No. 11, 12 and 13. In 1958 it was named by Herbert Warren Wind, a Sports Illustrated writer who noted: "Before playing them, pray." 

•  Rae's Creek was named after John Rae.  It runs in front of the 12th green, has a tributary at the #13 tee and passes by the back of the green on #11. 

•  There are three dedicated bridges at Augusta National: the Sarazen Bridge at hole #15, to honor Gene Sarazen's double eagle there during the 1935 Masters;  the Hogan Bridge at the #12 green, to honor Ben Hogan's then record score of 274 in 1953;  and the Nelson Bridge at the #13 tee, to honor Byron Nelson's performance on holes 12 and 13 when he won the 1937 Masters. 

•  The course's bunkers are not filled with sand, but rather a waste product from mining aluminum.  This produces bright quartz, which is why the sand traps at the Masters are so sparkly white.  

•  The ten cabins located on the grounds provide lodging for members and their guests.  One is named Eisenhower Cabin because the Club built it for President and Mrs. Eisenhower to use during their frequent visits to Augusta National. 

•  In May, on the last day before closing for the summer, Augusta National's caddies play the course for free.

Photo Credits
Jordan Green Jacket
Masters flag

Athletes and Numbers: One that Jordan Spieth Wears Well

There's just something to be said for numbers. My friend who teaches math loves them. I suppose she should—her job depends on them—but she takes comfort in the fact that "they aren't open to interpretation; they don't lie." Indeed, numbers confirm for us that you have it or you don't. And that's just a small reason why numbers color the language of sports. From total yardage in passing to greens in regulation, shots on goal to pitch count— to love sports means to enter into a relationship with numbers. 

In 2014, the Giants had won 88 games in the regular season. The team that won the World Series didn't even have over 90 wins in the regular season! That's surprising, and my dad, my brother and me were talking about this feat. But, my brother was convinced that the G-men won 89 games. I said 85. Our father, the statistician—naturally—got it right. He sees games through the lens of numbers as stats. I see them a little differently.

Numbers add to the narrative. I love learning about the number and athletes chooses to wear and why. I've written about athletes who honor other athletes with the same number. I'm intrigued by sports, like football that forbids certain position players from wearing any number of one's choosing. And it's interesting for me to see that not all numbers are up for grabs. For example, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 from the game, to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball player in the league. Indeed, numbers can serve as the most rudimentary point of connection, as I enjoyed reading in the article "Why We Love Sports." 

Last fall, after Alabama kicker Cade Foster missed two field goal attempts and had a third blocked in the Crimson Tide’s 34-28 loss to Auburn, George W. Bush dropped a note to Foster: “Life has its setbacks. I know! However you will be a stronger human with time.” Bush signed the note “another 43,” reflecting his position in the line of U.S. presidents and Foster’s uniform number.

And, I have no doubt that the Texas Rangers' front office enjoyed calling attention to a prestigious number Jordan Spieth earned earlier in the week, after his second place finish at the PGA Championship. Spieth, a native of Dallas, threw out the first pitch at the Ballpark in Arlington in a Rangers jersey with none other than the number one underneath his name. He is now the number one golfer in the world; he wears "1" well.

Spieth has put up incredible numbers this past year. He finished 1, 1, 4 and 2 at the Majors this year. He has won two other PGA tournaments in 2015. His prize money (this is just from the tour, not from Under Armour and other promotions or bets ;-) is over $10 million.

However what I love about the video (here and above) is that it finally demonstrates one number that eludes his fans. From time to time, it's hard to believe that Spieth is just 22 years old (he won the Masters and US Open at 21!). But to hear him talk about baseball, stories from games of the past and more, is to get a glimpse of Spieth, not necessarily, a kid—but rather a young man.

Unfortunately, sister Ellie is not in the photo.

Spieth could be a knucklehead, but I have a feeling only his brother, sister, closest friends or his caddy know the extent of that. But he's also just a guy, who—in the past year has changed the face of golf. He uses the term "we" more than any other player, he demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship and his reminds me that the most important part of the game is maintaining focus and control of what happens between the ears.

Photo Credits
Spieth Family
First Pitch

The 2015 PGA Championship: 3 Lessons from 3 Champions

The 2015 PGA Championship is bittersweet. The final major golf championship of the year, I know it signifies the end of summer. School will start next week and golf—a sport that can be played year-round in many parts of the world shines best in the spring and summer seasons. Fall is for football. Winter is for indoor games. But come April, the Masters is on my mind....Sorry MLB.

I truly believe the winner, Jason Day and his lead competitor, Jordan Spieth honored the game with the way they played their final round. Phenomenal golf, integrity, sportsmanship, class, open vulnerability and emotion, respect and victory—it doesn't get much sweeter than that. So sweet, that the bitter in bittersweet is nil.

Perhaps you learned that this year's championship, played at Whistling Straits in Koehler, Wisconsin brought much more than a first major title for its out and out winner, Jason Day (who finished 20 under par). It gave rise to a new number one player: Jordan Alexander Speith. 

Every time I watch golf on television, I learn more about the game. Not just how to hit, strategies to consider and but I learn about life too. Here are but a few insights that I gained from this year's tourney. I'm grateful for the memories, in particular, what you will read here.

No one plays defense in golf.
I can't believe I never thought about this before. It's man (or woman) versus the hole. Although there is match play and other variations of the game, all professional golfers aim to get the lowest score period.  

My friend Paul brought this to my attention as we watched Jordan Spieth heartily acknowledge a great putt that the leader, Jason Day just hit. And, it cost Spieth absolutely nothing to do that. Not only is it good sportsmanship, Paul considers it good karma. It was just one sign of many that Jordan Spieth is a true champion.

Spieth made sure Day knew he appreciated the Aussie's performance. During a perfect putt on No. 17, Spieth suddenly cut across the screen, flashing a thumbs-up at Day in the process. (see it  here)

At that point in the match, Day was leading by three strokes. When he made that shot, I believe Spieth realized that the championship was truly in his opponent's grasp. Rather than getting uptight or competing with blinders on until the last hole, Spieth played his game and appreciated his opponent's craft. Folks...that's great golf.

I started to wonder what else in life precludes defense. What other competitive endeavors allow you to applaud and/or encourage your opponent at no cost?

Tears will be shed.
I can't think of another sport where the victor so openly and frequently weeps. It's not uncommon in professional sports, but golf seems to bring it out in the athlete and in me. Even before he sank his final putt, Jason Day let the tears flow. When he secured the victory, he contributed to the water line of Lake Michigan. And he's no different than Bubba Watson (Masters 2012, 2014), Zach Johnson (British Open 2015), and Justin Rose (US Open: Merion 2014).

I doubt that Martin Kaymer's win at the US Open: Pinehurst in 2014 got me choked up, but I can't tell you how many times I carry the emotions of joy, relief, delight, and gratitude when I watch a major come to a close. I know it's because beauty always evokes a deep response—it comes from the soul. I find beauty on a golf course....in great competition...in excellence in athletics. I can't help but feel this way, more often than not, it's waterworks...

Where do you find beauty—a beauty that elicits a response marked by tears?

True champions are born...and understood in due time
If you don't know much about Jason Day, it's worth learning about his life—what he's been through, where he came from and who he is today. As he told ESPN's Tom Rinaldi, "I didn't think I had a future, with the way I was living my life." But golf fans are happy he did.

Paired on Sunday with the crowd favorite—Jordan Spieth, Day "finally got the monkey off his back" in winning his first major title. And I think it's worth noting that golf is one of the few sports where the victor truly beats everyone in the field. As opposed to tennis—another individual sport—the winner only plays a given number based on his or her seed. The Superbowl and World Series champions do not eliminate every team in the postseason to earn their titles. But a golfer beats all. The numbers do not lie.

A great Aussie. Jason Day lives in Ohio with his wife (an American) and son Dash.
He said there's no way he'll renounce his Australian citizenship.

Golf enthusiasts and sports fans everywhere would have loved to see Spieth capture his third major of the year. Only two men in the history of the game have that accomplishment in their dossier: Ben Hogan in 1953 and Tiger Woods in 2000. Spieth came up short by three strokes but by all of nothing with his insight on the game. "It's the best loss I've ever had." 

When he said that, I thought "Who says that?!!" What a classy, complimentary and fun way to honor his opponent. The man who says that is now the number one golfer in the world. I hope he is Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year 2015. His two major wins, a fourth and second place finish in the others and the fresh face he has brought to the game is another example of beauty.

Who stands out to you as a champion, even in defeat? When have you seen a game you love honored by exemplary play and sportsmanship?

That is a wrap on the 2015 golf season. Yes, the FedEx cup will commence soon, but as far as I'm concerned, the final major of the year afforded us with three champions: Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and anyone who loves the game. Until April.... 

Photo Credits
Day and Spieth
Tears