Above is the 18th Green at Sherwood Country Club

Congratulations to Vijay Singh, 2008 Chevron World Challenge Champion!

I have been volunteering at the World Challenge for the past 6 years and have had the privilege to work as a hole marshal, and a score keeper, a score banner carrier and this year as the Hole Captain for the 9th and 18th hole.

Last year I was assigned to Tiger Woods for 18 holes of the Pro-Am which is most relaxed day of the tournament. It was chance to meet and talk to Tiger and Steve and listen to them prepare for the competition which he won.

My neighbor and friend Ross Porter had a chance to interview Tiger at Sherwood.

Tiger Woods
I finally met and had a conversation with Tiger Woods the other day.

Tiger Woods owns the lowest career scoring average on the PGA tour and has earned more money than any golfer ever. But in Woods’ words “Golf is not everything, I want every child in America to have the opportunity I had.”

Have a Productive Day and Happy Holidays to All

Tom Vandenberg

SENDING CARE PACKAGES TO U. S. TROOPS Continue Reading

It’s college football bowl season and there are 34 bowls scheduled between December 20th and January 8th. That is 24 more than are needed, but universities and promoters are out to bring more money into their coffers so we just chuckle at the names of the bowls and the forgettable matchups. Continue Reading

Sports fans in southern California are ecstatic because the Lakers defeated the Celtics on Christmas Day. Continue Reading

Coming into the 17th and final week of the NFL’s regular season, there were 11 teams gunning for five spots in the playoffs. Just seven clubs had qualified. Continue Reading

Of the 14 games played in the National Football League over the weekend, nine resulted in upsets. Continue Reading

I finally met and had a conversation with Tiger Woods the other day.

Is there any more recognizable athlete in the world today? Who would it be? Muhammad Ali? David Beckham? Michael Jordan or Kobe? Anybody else come to mind? Continue Reading

Hi, Ross:

I can’t wait for the BCS National Championship game. Is Percy Harvin, Florida’s great receiver, going to be ready to play against Oklahoma?

Ann Crawford
Biloxi, Mississippi

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

If you are pulling for the Gators, Ann, you will be happy to know that Harvin, who missed the SEC championship game against Alabama due to a sprained ankle, is expected to be close to 100 % for the January 8th game in Miami. Percy is staying in Gainesville to rehab his ankle while the rest of his teammates go home for the holidays.

Dear Ross,

Why did the Angels withdraw their offer to Mark Teixiera? He’s a tremendous player and they need him.

Al Neudecker
Cerritos, California

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

What I hear, Al, is that owner Arte Moreno came to the conclusion that Teixiera was not going to return to Anaheim, and the Angels were being used to drive up the price for other teams. The biggest shocker of all will be if Mark signs with the Washington Nationals. If he does, you’ll know money means more to him than being on a contender.

Hey, Ross….

What are the latest rumors in baseball about some of the free agents?

Tom Gilbert
Peoria, Illinois

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

Tom, you always have to be careful when you start reporting rumors in baseball, but since you asked, here are some of them, as of December 22nd.

The New York Daily News says Manny Ramirez expects the Yankees to offer him a three-year contract.

Ramirez and Mark Teixiera are both represented by Scott Boras, and Manny is said to want to wait for Teixiera to sign before he does.

If Mark goes to the Red Sox, would the Angels enter the bidding for Ramirez or are they more likely to try to get  Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, Jermaine Dye or Paul Konerko?

Pitcher Brian Fuentes may prefer the Angels, but do they want to sign him?

It appears Andy Pettitte is going back to the Yankees, perhaps one year for $ 10 million.

The Mets appear interested in Derek Lowe.

Jason Giambi may return to Oakland.

Could Garret Anderson wind up with Joe Maddon in Tampa Bay?

I’m beginning to believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be in the Super Bowl on February 1. Continue Reading

It’s doubtful there have ever been three finalists for the Heisman Trophy as well-liked, genuine, caring and classy as this year’s trio. Continue Reading

I just learned that Kevin Frandsen founded Second to None due to the love of his late brother and in honor of siblings of those who are ill. I’m so happy there is someone who is acknowledging these siblings. I am the only caregiver to my 58 year old sister with cerebral palsy so severe that she is infant-like. We had a brother who died at 18 in Vietnam. I’m grateful that Kevin is helping siblings to always remember that they are just as important, especially in helping their loved ones know how truly loved they are.

Sincerely,

Yvonne Soares
San Jose, California

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

We thank you, Yvonne, for your touching letter. Kevin has a passion for his project, and you can hear him on one of the vignettes on this website. We wish him well, and hope he bounces back from the injury that kept him sidelined for the San Francisco Giants this season.

Dear Real Sports Heroes:

Bill Bates was one of my favorite players so I was thrilled to see him featured on “Where are they now?” Everyone would tell me he wasn’t fast and I would reply, “How is he not fast, and he is in on every play, making the play? You don’t know what you’re talking about.”  Bill was awesome.

Ann Stoffel
Waco, Texas

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — -

Ross:

You are right, Ann.  Bill would not back down to anyone on the football field even though he was at a disadvantage size-wise at times. Those are the type players a coach wants on his team, and Tom Landry appreciated Bates’ value to the Cowboys.