Sports
Willie Mack’s US Open debut was the reward for a long golfing career
Willie Mack III’s career path to this week’s U.S. Open, his first major since turning skilled in 2011, has sometimes involved stops in hotels in the small towns where he played. Some of those small town hotels could possibly be quite good.
But Mack never came upon.
That’s because as an alternative of relaxing in hotel rooms, Mack was living in hotel parking lots, camping out in the cramped backseat of his 2013 Ford Mustang. The tinted windows mostly prevented others from discovering his troubles.
“It was embarrassing and probably the only time in my life I ever lied to my mom, telling her I was in places I wasn’t,” said Mack, who used public restrooms and locker rooms at clubs where he performed. survive almost two years of transitional life. “My dad was the only person who knew and he kept checking on me.”
This nomadic career will definitely make Mack sweeter on Thursday morning when he hears his name called at the start of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 (8:57 a.m. ET start time, tenth hole).
It’s a moment he dreamed of when he first picked up a golf club at the age of 6, a milestone of playing in the major leagues that he imagined turning pro would come much sooner.
“You always dream of playing in something bigger,” Mack said. “I have always wanted to play in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, and the opportunity to play in my first major championship will be special for me and my family.”
Bethune-Cookman Athletics
Mack, who played at Bethune-Cookman University, joins a list of graduates of historically black colleges and universities who will appear in the U.S. Open, including South Carolina State’s Adrian Stills and Morgan State University’s Jim Thorpe. Mack played at Bethune until 2011 under Gary Freeman, who coached the BCU men’s and girls’s teams to a total of 10 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships.
“He was like a second father to me,” Mack, a native of Flint, Michigan, said of Freeman. “It was great to be away from home and go to Daytona Beach.”
After starting his career on mini-tours that took him across the U.S. and spent lots of the backseat stops, Mack earned a spot to play on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2018. But the thrill of playing in the exclusive locales of Colombia, Guatemala and Jamaica diminished , when the math stopped working (he earned $766.62 for a T46 finish in the 2018 BMW Jamaica Classic).
Throughout his career, Mack needed to hustle to proceed pursuing his dreams. He made his PGA tour debut in January 2021 at the Farmers Insurance Open (replacing his friend Kamaiu Johnson, who needed to withdraw from sponsorship after testing positive for Covid-19), and later that month, Tiger Woods awarded him a spot in the Genesis Invitational 2021 as a part of Charlie Sifford’s release. In 4 PGA events in 2021, Mack has earned $28,343.
Mack’s next big accomplishment was earning a card for the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour. This turned out to be a one-year opportunity, as Mack ultimately lost his tour card at the end of the season, with earnings of $45,872 in 20 starts.
What ensures Mack’s return to golf yearly is the lifeline provided by mini-tournament events, where a win earns him enough money to play for one other week.
One of the most vital mini-tournaments is the Advocates Professional Golf Association, a tour established in 2010 with the mission of providing greater diversity and helping developing golfers, especially African-Americans, gain opportunities to play golf at the highest level. Mack returned to the APGA this season and is the first player on the tour to earn a spot in the US Open.
“This is a milestone,” said Kenyatta Ramsay, PGA Tour vice chairman of player development, who has helped organize APGA Tour events at major golf facilities. “Praise APGA for providing its employees with the opportunity to gain competitive reps and earn enough money to reinvest in themselves.”
Mack’s ability to reinvest in himself began on June 3, during the so-called “longest day in golf,” when 687 amateur and skilled golfers competed in 10 final qualifying tournaments, earning 44 available spots in the U.S. Open. Mack played at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Florida, where 73 players played 36 holes at five venues in the U.S. Open.
Mack entered the last of his 36 holes needing a birdie to force additional time. He made par 5s on two occasions and two-putted from 40 feet to succeed in the playoffs, which had three golfers playing for the final spot in the U.S. Open.
Mack was one in every of two golfers to advance to the second round of the playoffs, where he hit a solid bump-and-run chip from inside inches of the hole for par (his opponent, Brendan Valdes, three-putted for bogey ).
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
It was a moment that screamed for an emotional response from Mack, who as an alternative bowed his head as he went to shake Valdes’ hand after which hugged his brother Alex, who was carrying his bag.
“He carried my bag on the Korn Ferry Tour, so it was a moment where we did it together, full circle,” Mack said of his brother. “Then we went to our parents’ house and had a nice celebration.”
Mack’s even temperament may prove to be his best asset when it’s announced that he’ll play his first round on Thursday.
“Standing on the first tee, I know I’ll be as nervous as anyone in this situation,” Mack said. “But once I hit that first tee shot, I go back to work, hoping that I can achieve something great with it.”
Mack has definitely had to beat many challenges to get to this moment, and surviving those nights in the backseat of a Mustang may only help him accept what he’ll face in his first career.
“My dad always told me, ‘Never give up,’” Mack said. “People undergo something day by day. I’ve been through a lot and I’d do it again knowing how much I like this game.
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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