It was three rounds of golf without anyone breaking par.  Despite that the winner, Morgan Grantham, beat the field by a whopping 19 strokes.  Grantham’s former lobo teammate, Alexandra Phelps, won by 23 strokes the previous year but, that was before the course was extended.  Maybe the extension of the course was a bad idea for 2008.  I consider myself the worst golfer in the history of the sport but, I may have finished in the middle of the pack in this tournament.  Grantham provided all of the highlights in a field of players that appeared to be playing a practice round for three days.  Maybe the solution is to shorthen the course and change the date.  If the tournament was played on a different day maybe they could have landed last year’s champ Alexandra Phelps and former Sandia and current University of Denver player Katie Kempter.  Both were busy at the U.S. Amateur qualifier.  The men’s city golf tournament is loaded with former and current Lobos, Aggies and Mustangs.  The women’s city golf tournament needs to make it fashionable to play.  If they haven’t already, the women’s city golf tournament organizers should go after former champs like January Romero and others.  A field of past champions no matter how small would add some intrigue to the tournament.  The galleries would grow and the interest would make the field swell.  Competition is a good thing that has abandoned the women’s city golf tournament.  It’s time to bring it back.

     The 4th of July is fast approaching.  Our nation will celebrate Independence and break bread.  That means there will be sports to watch and food to grill.  Hot dogs get plenty of play on July 4th.  There is the national hot dog eating contest leading the way.  The event sponsored by Nathans has become a must watch.  I watched because I cannot believe anyone can eat more than one hot dog.  Forget about eating it fast.  Personally, I have a horrible relationship with hot dogs.  If you are serving hot dogs, wrap me up like the mummy because I will become a human oil can after ingesting just one.  Hot dogs bring out the worst in me in every way you can think.  There is something in a hot dog that takes my digestive track on a roller coaster ride that would rival all of the coasters at Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio.  While it has carved it’s own niche on the sports scene, the consumption of hot dogs is reserved for only a few.  You know who you are….the fraternity of metal tummies.  Whether watching or eating, I just can’t seem to stomach the tubular mystery meat we call hot dogs.

Maybe it’s time for five time world champion Johnny Tapia to move to the next phase of his career.  Tapia would be an awesome trainer.  His knowledge of the fight game is second to none.  Young boxing hopefuls would flock to his gym.  Some would do it to get instruction from a boxer who has never back down.  Some would go because they would be starstruck.  That would give the Tapia’s a steady income and Johnny a graceful exit from the ring.  At this point in his life it might be the only choice.  The 41 year old Tapia saw his last fight card cancelled over a contract dispute.  The word contract dispute in boxing is similar to the word poison.  Maybe there is a promoter out there willing to give Tapia another shot in the ring.  Maybe not.  Promoter Ron Weathers believes he was burned by the Tapia’s on the cancelled fight card in early May.  An attorney representing the Tapia’s said there was never a contract.  Weathers said there was a contract.  Contract or not this latest twist in the boxing career of Johnny Tapia could be the knockout punch that he did not see coming.  Shortly after the boxing fiasco in El Paso, Texas Sports Illustrated wrote a piece on the Tapia’s.  It was not flatttering.   It’s time for Johnny to get in the gym and train the next generation of champions.  His name recognition is still good enough to get a full gym.  His mind is still sharp enough to give the kids his best.  Too much time in the ring could change all of that and equal zero skills…zero brain function.  That would be a tragedy.

    The Lobo men’s basketball team went one and done in the NIT tournament but not without a fight.  A close road loss at California bodes well for the future.  It seems like the Lobos have become a tough road team.  It will be interesting to see how they will do with the ninth best recruiting class in the country coming in for the next season.  The young guns will need time to mature.  It may take a year or two to see them at their best.  With the infusion of big name coaches, the Mountain West may be ready to move up on the men’s side.  The basketball already seems like a new brand is slowly working it’s way in.  This year’s play was more physical than past years.  The women of Mountain West basketball continue to represent well.  Three teams made it to the NCAA tournament this year with Utah, Wyoming and the Lobos.  It will be interesting to see how they finish.  The Lobos and Wyoming will play in front of the pit crowd today.  The Lobos will definitely benefit from the rabid and very supportive Lobo fans.  Wyoming will benefit also when they are not playing the Lobos.  The Cowgirls couldn’t have received a better spot.  Like Utah two seasons ago, they will feel the power of the Pit. 

  The Lobos face a stiff challenge against West Virginia.  The Lobos have won six straight games and are playing at home.  The Lady Mountaineers are also facing a stiff challenge.  What about the NCAA men’s tournament.  Everything was going as planned until the games tipped off in Tampa, Florida Friday.  The upsets could not stop coming-making for some really exciting basketball.  Byu made an early exit Thursday leaving the Mountain West with only one team in the tournament.  UNLV should represent well.  Every time you count the Rebels out, they come roaring back.  The longer they are in…the better it is for the entire Mountain West Conference.

     The Lobo men’s basketball team found out Sunday that they will be playing at California in round one of the NIT Wednesday.  The game has a 9 p-m start and will be televised on ESPN.  The Lobos wanted to go to the NCAA tournament.  The team was visibly upset after finding out they were not in the NCAA tournament but, they also expressed appreciation for having an opportunity with the NIT.  Senior guard J.R. Giddens really seemed glad he could continue playing.  The Lobos need to make some noise in the NIT  and play and win with a tougher schedule if they want to become more of a brand name around the nation and in the eyes of the NCAA selection committee.  The Lobo women’s basketball team found out Monday that they will be hosting West Virginia in round one of the NCAA tournament.  West Virginia is a five seed.  The Lobos are a 12 seed.  The game has a 6:30 pm start Saturday.  When the annoucement was made, the Lobo women didn’t really show any expression.  They just said they are ready to play.  What can Dionne Marsh and Brandi Kimble do for an encore after taking the Mountain West to school in the conference tournament. 

     I just thought that you might want to know that Lobo fan favorite….Yeah right!!… Jimmy Dykes is part of the broadcast team for the game.   I am sure Lobo fans will make him feel welcomed.