From a local curling event to Tiger Woods finding his old self, this week I give you my thoughts on some of the topics to hit the sports waves.
• There was some really good calibre curling action in Watrous at the Tim Hortons provincial mixed curling championship. The event, which drew 16 teams to town, saw the Jeff Hartung rink from Langenburg take home the championship. The team charged through the round-robin but lost in the page playoff game to a team they would eventually beat in the finals. Hats off to the volunteers, organizing committee and community for putting on a good event. The Hartung rink now heads to nationals in November.
• This point still remains from last week: I can’t wait for golf season to start.
• Tiger Woods won a golf tournament. Woods took home top spot at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, going from a one-stroke lead to a five-stroke victory. That gives the former number one some momentum heading into the Masters. I think he would have to be considered a favourite to win the Masters although I still have reservations about Woods returning to his old form.
• The one tournament my brother and I look forward to is the Masters. There have been some incredible matches played at that event, including by Canada’s Mike Weir who won the green jacket and, of course, my favourite golfer Phil Mickelson who has taken home his fair share of green coats.
• It would be nice to see a Mickelson and Woods finale at the Masters.
• The NHL season was about as tight for the final playoff spots as it could get. Teams were fighting for that final eighth spot in the east and west and I think it will literally come down to the last day of the regular season to determine who gets in and who does not. That final day is next Saturday.
• Who would have thought that the return of Sidney Crosby would have propelled the Penguins on a big winning streak? I know he is good but that team is peaking at the right time. Look out for them in the east.
• How about my pick of Kansas making it to the final four in college basketball? I was quite shocked that at least one of my teams made it. After taking Kansas to go deep for the past few years, they get to the final four. I originally had Kansas and BYU to make it to the finals but BYU’s fate was sealed before getting that far.
• The ‘Riders bring in the former mayor of Swaggerville, Odell Willis. I like the move as they gave up a pair of picks for the all-star. Willis will help put pressure on the opposing quarterback, something the ‘Riders need help with after last year’s season. Willis has been touted as a bit of a high-maintenance guy but if he can come in and keep his wits about him, I think the team will be in good shape heading into this season.
• My early predictions said the green and white and B.C. will be clawing it out for top spot in the CFL’s west while Hamilton and Toronto will be busy trying to dislodge Montreal from tops in the east.
• I was also reminded last week by my buddy Nathan that my picks flat out stink. Every time I predict someone to do something, they don’t. That is true if you recall my horrid NFL playoff picks and the fact that my Flames are once again looking for early bookings to golf courses around Calgary. So, because of my bad picks, he is not taking my advice in what I say.
