Doug Ferguson, a seasoned AP golf writer, shares expert insights on what to expect at the Masters, highlighting the tournament’s rich history and current buzz. Gary Braun, a friend of the host, recalls the excitement of his first trip to Augusta and celebrates his victory in this year’s Big’s Bracket pool. The conversation dives into the psychological pressures faced by golfers and the evolving landscape of the sport, punctuated by laughter over memorable anecdotes and friendly competition.
The podcast highlights the rise of young golfers like Tommy Morrissey and Gabby Barker, emphasizing inclusivity and inspiration in the sport.
A discussion on the Washington Nationals reveals team challenges, particularly with their bullpen performance against the Dodgers, showcasing resilience despite setbacks.
The conversation about NBA teams underperforming for draft picks stresses ethical concerns in sports, sparking debate about competitive integrity and team loyalty.
Deep dives
The Future of Golf
The conversation highlights the growing impact of young, innovative golfers outside the traditional professional circuit. A notable example is Tommy Morrissey, a one-armed golfing prodigy who began playing at just three years old and has gained attention for his skills and inspirational story. Additionally, Gabby Barker is encouraging more young girls to enter the sport, helping to broaden the golf community. Meanwhile, Renee Fluker’s midnight golf program is providing valuable life lessons through the game, demonstrating golf's potential to create positive change in communities.
Current Sports Events
Discussion shifts to recent sporting events, particularly focusing on the Washington Nationals and their bullpen's performance. The Nats played the Dodgers and experienced an intense series, marked by a shaky start but then narrowing the score to a close finish. Issues with the bullpen, especially specific players giving up home runs, highlight the challenges faced during the games. Despite the tough moments, the resilience shown by the team, nearly achieving a sweep against the defending champions, is acknowledged.
NBA Teams and Draft Picks
The conversation also delves into the strategies of NBA teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards, who seem to be intentionally underperforming to secure better draft picks. Observations are made regarding the questionable ethics of teams potentially attempting to lose games. The discussion mentions specific players’ absences from the Wizards' lineup, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their competitive efforts. A sense of frustration is expressed towards the handling of team roster decisions, especially in light of the betting implications within the NBA.
Paying Bills in a Digital Age
The speaker shares personal anecdotes about the frustrations of paying bills via checks in a modern, increasingly digital world. An experience with AT&T about a late payment charge unveils the bureaucratic hurdles faced when dealing with rigid billing policies. A debate arises over whether such late charges are fair when mail delays occur and if companies should be held accountable. Emphasis is placed on the principle of loyalty as a long-time customer, with a resolution from the company to waive the charge but lingering doubts about future billing practices.
Reflections on Golf and Personal Experiences
The podcast features an extensive reflection on the Masters and personal golfing experiences, particularly emphasizing the grandeur and difficulty of Augusta National. Descriptions convey a sense of awe in witnessing the course's beauty and the challenge it presents to golfers. Insights into the physical demands of the course, complemented by discussions about how professional golfers prepare for the Masters, add depth to the golf discourse. Overall, it paints a vivid picture of the connection between the sport, its history, and personal aspirations.
Tony opens the show by talking about the Nats losing to the Dodgers, and also about the Wizards losing and gaining ground in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, and about contesting a late fee with AT&T. Doug Ferguson of the AP calls in from Augusta to give his thoughts on what to expect at the Masters, Gary Braun calls to talk about making his first trip to Augusta this week, as well as winning this year’s Big’s Bracket pool, and Tony closes out the show by opening up the Mailbag.
Songs : Paul Dominski “One Man Scramble” ; Dan Bern “Young Mr. Flagg”
