While writing this week’s SHOTS, I’m starting to realize that the rain and gray skies of Sunday most likely are a harbinger that autumn weather is nearby, and the warm, sunny days we’ve been enjoying lately are about to end. Time to think about putting the patio furniture away, taking the hoses off the outside hydrants, digging up some flowers and plants, and breaking out a few sweaters!
Good friend Carl Jones recorded his first hole-in-one a few days ago, hitting an eight-iron into the cup from 120 yards out on the 17th hole at Turtle Creek. Although it cost Carl a pretty penny at the clubhouse later on, I’m sure it was worth every cent! It made me think what the odds are of making an ace, so for you statistics freaks, get out your pencils and pens—
The odds of an average golfer putting the ball in the cup with one swing on a hole are 12,000 to 1, whereas a touring professional has a 3,000 to 1 chance. Furthermore, an eagle (two under par) on a par five for the average duffer is 250 to 1, on a par 4 6,000 to 1, while a double eagle (three under par on a single hole) is a 1,000,000 to 1 shot. Even the best pros have only 60,000 to 1 odds of the rare “albatross”. The odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 15,000 to 1, but I still head for cover when skies threaten!
A hole-in-one is a combination of skill and luck—veteran Greenville High School golf Coach Brian Stickel has four, but there are many other really good golfers who have yet to experience that thrill of retrieving their ball from the cup after just one swing. And here’s today’s trivia question—what is the size and weight of a standard golf ball and how large is the cup on the green? May the golf gods smile on you in the future!!
Congratulations to three area boys’ cross country runners on claiming individual district titles over the weekend at Cedarville University. Defending state D-I champion Landon Kimmel of Tippecanoe started the road to another title, this time in D-II, with a 15:25 time; Jackson Spitzer of Versailles took home honors in D-III with a time of 15:33.6; and Bennett Lehman of Ansonia continued his quest for a state title in D-IV by running a 15:55. Russia’s boys claimed a team D-IV crown while the Versailles boys were third in D-III and the Versailles girls third in D-IV. Other area individuals and teams also moved on to regional competition at Troy this coming weekend; for a complete listing, go to the OHSAA website.
More kudos to the Tri-Village Patriots football team on claiming at least a share of the WOAC title by remaining undefeated in handing Preble Shawnee a 40-7 setback, ending the Arrows’ unbeaten streak. Also claiming at least a share of league honors, if not outright championships, are Valley View in the SWBL Buckeye Division and Marion Local, now with 73 consecutive wins, in the MAC. And a big tip of the hat to the Tipp Red Devils on their 21st straight win in the MVL as a result of a 21-0 domination of Troy, ensuring at least a share of their fourth league title in as many years.
THE continues to shine as the Buckeyes dominated Wisconsin in Madison Saturday. With Miami (FL) losing to Louisville on Friday night, the Hoosiers of Indiana will most likely move into the number two spot in national rankings. The Crimson and Cream have a favorable schedule the rest of the season with no ranked teams on it, although a resurgent UCLA awaits this week, and even though Penn State has lost four in a row, the Nittany Lions will be a challenge in Happy Valley.
Speaking of Wisconsin, embattled Coach Luke Fickell is discovering that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence. After compiling a 57-18 record as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, leading the ‘Cats to the four-team national playoffs (the first non-Power Five Conference team to do so), being named the national Coach of the Year in 2021, and signing a contract extension through 2026, the OSU grad left for the glory of the Big Ten in November of ‘22. His record in Badger Nation following a second straight shutout, this week at the hands of the Buckeyes, is a mediocre 15-18, and the natives are getting restless!
In his defense, the Badgers face the nation’s toughest schedule, and various injuries have caused him to start the third-string quarterback the past few weeks.
Other games of note around college football found the Merchant Marine Academy of Kings Point, NY beating Salve Regina of Newport, RI 38-24; Kalamazoo (MI) losing to Hope of Holland, MI 56-21 in a hopeless pursuit of a Hornets’ win; Greenville (IL) University coming up short to Martin Luther of New Ulm, Minnesota 41-38, the Methodists being done in by the Lutherans; and Curry College of Milton, MA downing Nichols of Dudley, MA 71-27 as Colonel’s running back Montie Quinn set a new NCAA all-division record with 20 carries for 522 yards and seven touchdowns. A second trivia question—who held the previous record for rushing yards gained in a game?
How great is the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani? In clinching the NL pennant, he threw a two-hit, ten-strikeout performance at the Brewers in addition to hitting three home runs. Unbelievable!!!
Finally, a golf ball is 1.68” in diameter and weighs no more than 1.62 ounces. Pretty hard to put that into a hole that is only 4.25” wide, at least the way I putt!! Also, Bengals’ running back Samaje Perine set the previous single-game record by rushing for 427 yards for Oklahoma against Kansas back in 2014. More than a few Bengals fans wish he would do that this season!! Stay healthy and active!
