Michigan Monday: Masters Thoughts and Scrimmage Thoughts

There is an old saying in professional tournament golf, "you can't win the tournament on Thursday but you sure can lose it."  I think Rory might have just been then exception to the rule.  Rory played great golf on Thursday and Friday in Augusta and then held on during Saturday and Sunday as his game went in the other direction.   Rory was -12 on Friday night and Scottie was even.  On Sunday night, Rory was -12 and Scottie was -11.   Rory left the door open for everyone in the field to come get him and many played really well, just none of them were close enough to the lead to over take him.   

Congrats to Rory for going back to back, it was just unfortunate for us fans who wanted some Sunday drama. 

Todd Blackledge is not someone I would consider a college football insider.  He is just a solid color commentator on NBC. Though working for NBC gives him some access to Michigan Football.  Here is a tweet from the weekend:

Felt like a crisp fall morning watching @UMichFootball

scrimmage. Takeaways: *Expect Underwood to make a jump in development under OC Jason Beck & watchful eye of QB coach Koy Detmer. *OL has talent, but must improve as pass protectors. *RB,DL,DB all can be strong groups.

The offensive line Pass Pro is obviously an issue but I'm also wondering who was playing and who wasn't.  This might be the best representation of what we might see next season as the Spring Game is expected to be just a back-up bowl.   It's encouraging to hear Bryce is making progress under the new staff. 

• Michigan Basketball had a great weekend with a Championship Parade!  Though their portal recruitment is off to a bit of shaky start.  Michigan had Juke Harris on campus Saturday for the parade but now reports are that UNC is offering him $5.5M to play for them next season.  Kansas big man Flory Bidunga decided to take the bag from Louisville over Michigan and others.  

• Congrats to JJ and his wife who got married last weekend. 

Wolverine Wednesday: One Less QB

Michigan's former head coach after Harbaugh really miss managed a ton of things in his life.  In his role as head football coach, he really miss managed the QB room.  For two years straight he had little to no depth and even fewer folks that could actually do the job.  

This new staff came in with a different plan.  The first was to have a QB Coach for Michigan's highest investment ever at QB.  Second was to recruit and sign 2 QB's in the transfer portal.  As we discussed yesterday, Carr has impressed and CSU transfer BFN is expected to arrive this Summer. 

Many of us thought that there was a hand shake agreement between the Michigan Staff and incoming LSU transfer QB Colin Hurley that he would take a medical redshirt this season as he recovers and learns the system.  Well that didn't happen and Colin decided to leave the program yesterday, in what we are hearing was a mutual parting of ways. 

This loss doesn't hurt Michigan in the slightest, as he would of been the "break glass in case of an emergency" QB but it does put more pressure to keep Carr and BFN healthy during summer and fall camps. 

With the portal closed, not sure what options Colin has, but we wish him good luck in finding his next program. 

• 3-star OL Tristan Dare decommitted from Michigan yesterday.   Michigan will be fine in OL recruiting with one of the best OL coaches in the country.  

• Tiger Woods is "stepping away" to work on recovery and his health.   That seems like a smart long overdue move.   I know he has charity work and a course architecture company, but I'm not sure what he is stepping away from.  He hasn't played a PGA Tour round since the 2024 British Open.   I hope the thing he steps away from is driving any of his automobiles. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Are Michigan Opponents Reading The Wolverines Mail?

Michigan is paying a hefty fine and Sherrone has to sit one more game next year due to Michigan being better than everyone else at stealing signs.  The NCAA should be thanking Michigan for pushing them to in-helmet communications.  Anyways, as this season has moved forward its clear what Michigan is doing is not surprising Michigan opponents in fact they are expecting it. 

USC started the trend by sitting on the run game and screen game.  (Remember when we couldn't get Michigan to run screens?).   Next MSU defense did the same thing and the Michigan offense struggled for most of the game.   We thought there is no way Purdue could do the same in the Big House but they did and the Michigan offense continued to struggle.  

What about the defense side of the ball?  Yes, Wink has his tendencies as well and opponents are playing right into it.  The strategy when you blitz is you throw to that area as its now not occupied by a defender.  I watched the Purdue offense closely and everytime Wnik brought a blitz the Purdue QB threw right at it.  Which means Michigan is doing 2 things, #1 they are tipping the blitz from that side and #2 they are expecting blitz and game planning for it.  I love how fast Barham gets to the QB, but when you do that, you also leave a huge hole to run through.  

Chip and Wink both have a ton of experience and I'm sure they understand this better than anyone.  Both have their challenges with injuries, depth, and for a Chip a talented 18 year-old QB that is lacking experience.  I'm clearly not a coordinator, but I play one on TV.   My advice would be to stop blitzing so much Wink.  If the opposing QB is expecting blitz, he will already have happy feet and be looking for a dump off.   The Washington game turned in my opinion, when Wink stopped blitzing. 

I love Bryce's upside but he is starting to struggle as the defense is now playing into his tendencies.  Michigan has two good WR's and a stable of talented TE's.   Use the TE's like you did in the State game, they are a mismatch for any LB and should be open for those 5-15 yard gains.  The WR's can stretch the field and maybe open a down field threat, but move the sticks with the TE's.   Also take the play that is in front of you.  There was probably 3 times Bryce could have ran for 1st downs but threw an incompletion. 

Michigan will have to be different the rest of the year if they are going to have a chance to win out. 

• Michigan is #21 in the new CFP rankings 

• Mazi got traded to the Jets, let's hope this gives him a new opportunity to have a good NFL career. 

• Is anyone thinking Iowa has a shot at the playoffs?  They play the Ducks this weekend in a sneaky good game.  Winner maybe out of the playoffs.  

• Jedd Fisch name is starting to pop up for some of the new openings.  I wish Michigan considered him more seriously when Jim left. 

• Sounds like golf played a role in both the LSU and Auburn firings.  Rumor is Brian Kelly had nearly 400 rounds at his country club and that Auburn fans new Hugh Freeze was getting fired when he canceled his standing tee time on Sunday with his wife.  

Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Wisconsin and Weekend Thoughts

Both Michigan and Wisconsin had bye weeks last weekend as both team needed the rest and healing time.  Back to work this weekend as the game at the Big House will be the Fox Big Noon Match-up. 

Wisconsin 2-2 

Best Win: Miami of Ohio 

Worst Loss: Maryland at Camp Randall 

Next 5 games: Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, and Oregon.   YIKES!

Pass: 205.8 Per (89th)

Run: 117.8 (110)

Score: 20.8 per game (108)

Give up: 18.8  (937th)

Out of all those .8 stats it seems Wisconsin is only good at playing defense.  Seeing a Wisconsin team be 110th in rushing the ball just does not compute in my Brain.  With the next 5 games Luke Joseph Fickell might find his seat very warm. 

Line: Michigan -16.5

Weekend Recap:

Ryder Cup: The US team needs to rethink the Ryder Cup.  This competition means so much more to Europe right now then it does the US.  Most of the European squad lives in the US anyways.   The US 

Team just can't get their head around the funky format on Friday and Saturday.  To use a bad pun, that golf is foreign to them, it just doesn't compute.  Sunday it was clear the US has better head to head golfers but the US just doesn't like the weird early round formats.  

The loss by Penn State was the most Penn State thing ever.  I'm also pretty sure I saw James Franklin punt from like the 40 yard line on a 4th a short earlier in the game.    Does Drew Allar remind anyone of that one friend in college that was 50% clumsy and 50% a really good athlete?  The problem was, you never knew which one would show up in the championship softball intramural game. 

This doesn't compute in my head.   Iowa played Rutgers a week ago and gave up 28 points.   IU a week ago played Illinois and scored 63.   IU travels to Iowa and struggles to score 20 points.  Did Iowa defense get really good in a week or did Curt Cignetti out think himself?

In the rare occurrence of a Pretender - Contender game, both USC and Illinois came out as Pretenders.

OSU predictably played UW close for a half and then put them away in the 2nd half. 

Minnesota and Rutgers are the same team. 

• Bobby Petrino is back leading Arkansas after Sam Pittman got fired.  Bobby after crashing his motorcycle was one of the best press conferences ever! 

• 4-star CB Dorian Barney flips from Michigan to Ole Miss. 

• Mason Graham was back in Michigan as Cleveland lost to the Lions on Sunday afternoon. 

• Sounds like the 1st ever concert at the Big House went well.  Let's hope this a great way to raise money for the athletes! 

Michigan Friday: Good Weekend For a Bye

The Ryder Cup has not started out well for the Team USA, they are going to struggle to find a 1/2 to a full point in the first session.  The USA team has been playing nervous and not making any putts.   

Lots of golf left, but not a good start for the home team.  

Still great football to watch this weekend as the Wolverines heal up for the rest of the Big Ten season. 

Tonight:

FSU@Virgina 

TCU @ ASU

Noon:

USC @ Illinois 

ND @ Arkansas 

3:30:

OSU @ UW 

LSU @ Ole Miss 

Auburn @ Texas AM

IU @ Iowa 

7:30:

Oregon @ PSU

Alabama @ Georgia 

Enjoy the Weekend and Go USA! 

Michigan Monday: Welcomes Downtown Jonathan Brown

Michigan picked up a RB prospect from Columbus over the weekend in Jonathan Brown.  Yes, I took a liberty on the nickname, too soon?  Brown is a 3-star RB who has offers from the likes of Rutgers, Army, Navy and Air Force.  So Jonathan clearly does his work in the classroom and the Michigan coaches liked what they saw when Brown camped at Michigan.   

• There are rumors that Michigan might get some commits this week, lets hope that rumor is accurate!

• For golf fans, Tommy Fleetwood yikes! Felt bad for the guy and the same time wanting Captain Keegan Bradley to win. 

• Very cool that Morez Johnson Jr. made the USA U19 squad and is headed to Switzerland!

• This trend in athletes tearing their achilles is interesting, I wonder why this is happening so much?

• Congratulations to Michigan OL Jake Guarnera who has been accepted to The Ross Business School.

Michigan Monday: We Got A Long Snapper

A long snapper on a football team is a forgotten position, until they make a game losing mistake.  Whether it's punt snap or a field goal snap, the expectation is that snap is right down the middle and falls gently into the punter or holder hands. 

It's an important position and one we take for granted.  We even expect our best field goal kicker in college football to miss a field goal every once in awhile.   We expect perfection from our long snappers on every 4th down.  

Colton Dermer is a long snapper that committed to Michigan.  He also had an Alabama offer and is ranked the #6 long snapper in the 2026 class according to Kohl's Kicking rankings.

• Interesting Sunday at the US Open.   I fell asleep for a few minutes and woke up to Tiger Woods dominating.  What a great dream! 😀.   That 62 foot putt by JJ in the rain on 18 was a masterpiece in a round and a day that clearly wasn't.   Congratulations to JJ Spaun! 

I hope all the dad's had a great Sunday! 

Michigan Tuesday: Trending For a 2026 QB

Michigan must of made a nice impression on 2026 QB Brady Hart during his visit to Ann Arbor last weekend as predictions for the young QB to Ann Arbor has started to roll in from all the services.  Brady whose name indicates he was born to play in Ann Arbor is a 6'4 and 180 pound QB who plays at Cocoa, FL.  24/7 composite has him #92 player in the country and 7th QB.  His offer list includes the names of FSU, Florida, LSU, OSU, ND, Oregon, PSU, Miami, Clemson, and more. 

It would be great to have 2026 QB lined up so you can build the rest of the class around him.  Similar to what Michigan did for JJ and he left with 3 Big Ten Championships and a National Championship. 

• I failed to mentioned this yesterday, but Semaji has changed his jersey number to #0. 

• I'm liking the momentum Michigan Football has on the recruiting trail right now.  Michigan hosted 2025 DB Shamari Earls who is committed to South Carolina last weekend.  The visit gave Earls a ton to consider. and he trusts Coach Morgan can develop him and get him to the next level. 

• I might be alone in this stance, but the NBA is incredibly boring to me.  Watching the finals was like watching a Tuesday night game during the season.  Maybe it's just an outlier with all the stars being hurt in the playoffs, but I could hardly stand to watch any of it.  Congrats if your a Boston fan but if I'm Adam Silver I have huge concerns on where the game is headed.  Losing the TNT pre and post game show, will hurt the league even more. 

• Rory is sitting out this week's tournament and won't play until the Scottish Open which he won last season. 

Michigan Monday: 2 Commits Over The Weekend

MSU fans on social media try to find any reason to take a shot at Michigan Football.  Which is really hard to do when the team your taking shots at is the reigning National Champions.   One area Sparty has likes to focus on is that Michigan has been recruiting at that same level MSU has been this cycle.  

Michigan lost a majority of its coaches to the NFL and out the window goes all those recruiting relationships that has been built over numerous years.  Hell, Michigan has had 3 defensive line coaches in the last 6 months.  Not to mention, Michigan's famous Director of Recruiting who is no longer with the program. 

Michigan over the weekend continued to build their 2025 class by getting two strong commitments. 

#1 commit of the weekend was Safety Kainoa Winston who is rated as the 43rd player in the nation to 24/7 and a strong 4 star.  Winston is considered one of the best DB's in the country and Michigan beat Penn State for his commitment.  Michigan won the recruitment on the way they used Mikey over the last two years.  

#2 commit was RB Jasper Parker from Louisiana.  Not a state Michigan has had much recruiting success in.  Jasper is a 3.5 star as some service rank him a 4 and others a 3.  He is 6'0 and 200 pounds and has a great offer list from the likes of Miami, Alabama, UNC, OK State and others.  My guess is Parker will be a power back in Michigan's offense. 

Welcome to Ann Arbor to both guys! 

Michigan's class is currently ranked:

#13 on On3

#34 on 24/7

#30 on Rivals

More work to do! 

• The US Open was high drama last night in the final holes.  Bryson took home the trophy but Pinehurst #2 won the US Open.  No golfer wants to see Rory lose like that.  Congrats to the USGA for putting on a great event.  

• Michigan - Wake Basketball Series now confirmed

• Les Miles is suing LSU because he believes his vacated wins will cost him a shot at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Wolverine Wednesday: Mid-Week News and Notes

• Sherrone has again fished in Ohio State's pond and took staffer Erin Dunston as the new Director of Operations.  I love that Coach Moore is investing more in the recruiting and operations part of Michigan Football the Business. 

• Predictions are starting to come in for 4-star Safety Kainoa Winston

• Today is Tom Brady day in New England 

• Former Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez is the UFL MVP

• Predictions are coming in for DL Maxwell Roy, is he from HBO's Succession?

• Michigan Basketball is rumored to be playing in a tournament next season called The Players Era Festival that is very fruitful for the players in NIL money.

• US Open Stuff:
• Jon Rahm has withdrew due to a foot infection
• Rory and his wife has reconciled and no longer going to get divorced
• Played #2 about 5 years ago, toughest course I've every played. The greens are very difficult and if your off the fairway, you could be under a tiny little bush. It is a course you have to play many times to understand where to hit the ball on the greens.

Michigan Friday: Welcomes Another Cornerback

Michigan missed out on its top two CB's in this class as 2 Ohio athletes decided to stay home and play for Buckeyes.  Michigan then opened its window a little wider and found a 3-star CB from Kentucky Jeremiah Lowe who committed to Michigan yesterday. Jeremiah is a bit of a raw prospect at CB but who has a nose for the ball. He will need to add weight (5'11 and 170 pounds) and technique in Ann Arbor but Michigan has the coaches and S&C program to do just that.

Jeremiah is a good athlete and competes well at CB on film His offer list included: Mizzu, UK, BC, WVU, Marshall, and MAC schools. I expect Lowe to compete on special teams and maybe the nickel at Michigan.

With 28 commits on board, Michigan would like to add a WR and/or a top ranked player (Zaquan Patterson and Ryan Wingo are good examples) to this class. Michigan is probably done for the year and can focus on keeping this class intact and move to building the 2025 class.

• CJ Stroud's first NFL pre-season pass was completed to Nico Collins, who then trucks a first round CB. CJ later in the series throws a pick.

• Winovich had a sack for the Texans last night.

• Phil Mickelson bet over a $1B? No wonder he went to LIV Golf, he needed the money to pay his mortgage.

• ESPN has been making strange decisions and now has pulled off one of its best commentators off college football, Dan Orlovsky. I'm betting he regrets signing that new contract with ESPN about a year ago.

• With 3 weeks to go before the season starts, I'm betting (sorry Phil) we will hear news soon about the final verdict in the Harbaugh situation. The NCAA won't want this to linger close or into the season.

• Duncan Robinson is holding a youth basketball camp in Ann Arbor on 9/10

Michigan Monday: Happy for Ricky Fowler

For those of you who follow the PGA Tour, Ricky Fowler is one of the most popular golfers in the country, but has been struggling with his swing.  Which is turn means he has been having a hard time making cuts the last few years.   When you're not making cuts, you are nowhere near winning events, which is the expectation for Ricky.   This year has been a different story and the last few weeks Ricky has been competing for wins at the US Open and other PGA events.  He broke through in Detroit on Sunday and got a win at the Rocket Morgage event that also sponsors him.  Well done, Rick!

Michigan didn't get the best news this weekend as a number of prospects picked other schools. 

• TX OT Michael Uini picked Georgia as expected 
• Chicago 5 Star DL Justin Scott committed to OSU 😠
• FL CB Jameer Grimsley committed to Alabama over Florida and Michigan
• 2 names you may be familiar with are Brian Robinson who got a prediction for UK this weekend and WR Ryan Wingo who got a Texas one.

Michigan can still have a good 4th holiday if they get the expected commitment from FL 4-star DE Elias Rudolph who is committing tonight at 7:00 on his Instagram. 

Michigan has lost out on a couple of its CB recruits in the last couple of weeks.  Nothing to panic about yet, but it sure would be nice to get Ohio 4-star Aaron Scott to commit to Michigan over Ohio State at the end of the month. 

• In some disturbing news, Hassan Haskins and his girlfriend were both arrested over the weekend on domestic violence charges. 

• The Wagner Brothers are staying together in Orlando as Mo has signed a new free agent deal with the Magic. 

• Zavier Simpson is on the Pistons summer league team and looking to earn a roster spot,

Enjoy the 4th! 

Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Iowa

Michigan got a bit of a wake-up call on Saturday as a team with "nothing to lose" gave them all they wanted in the Big House.  It was Michigan's first game against a real opponent and it was the first time they've been behind on the scoreboard since the Orange Bowl.   Now they get to focus on the first road trip of the year.  Struggling against the Terrapins and a trip to a pink locker room should help motivate the team in practice this week.   Thank you, Fox, for putting this game at noon! 

Iowa:

Beat Rutgers on the road last week.  Iowa scored twice on defense and won 27-10.  Rutgers out gained Iowa 361-277 but lost the turnover battle 0-3.  Iowa has a fantastic defense as they have given up 23 total points through 4 games.  Thier offense is the opposite of that.

Iowa's offense: pass yards: 131 yards per (124th in the country), Rush 101 (116th), score: 17 points per game (232)

Defense: Points against 5.8 (#1)

So things haven't changed in Iowa.  Iowa really needs this game if they are going to try to win the West vs. a solid Golden Gophers team.  After this week, they're on the road to @ Illinois and @ Ohio State.  They also play at Minnesota on 11/19.

Michigan is -10.5 

• Josh Metellus dropped a pick to beat the Lions and then had one on the next play

• Taylor Lewan is out for the year with an injury

• Congrats to the US Team for winning the President's Cup this weekend. 

• How is Josh Gattis doing at Miami? Yikes!

• Another head coach goes down - as Georgia Tech fired Geoff Collins after a terrible record at Tech and losing to UCF on Saturday.  Seems "Coach Prime" might be a candidate. 

• MSU @ Maryland this week. Maryland -7.5

• Minnestoa has 1 ranked team on its schedule and that is a trip to Happy Valley in 3 weeks.

• Adrian Martinez finally got his big win but he had to leave Nebraska to do it.  Kansas State beat Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Is Boring

There is not a ton going on around the program right now.  Michigan is running through tomato cans and the QB battle has a clear winner.  We really won't know about this team until the Big Ten season.  Speaking of the Big Ten..............

The Big Ten East is a combined: 14-0

The Big Ten West is a combined: 9-7

The only West team without a loss is Minnesota.  I'm pretty sure the Big Ten West is USC's division to lose.  😉

• Franz hit a 3 pointer over the "Greek Freak" In FIBA to send Greece home

• The MSU - Washington game is intresting to me on Saturday night.  Washington has the former IU QB Michael Penix there now. Both programs are 2-0 and Washington is now coached by Kalen DeBoer from Fresno State.  MSU is a road dog but probably the better team. 

• Serigo fired a 76 at the BMW outside of London last week, the touranment gets delayed for a day due to the Queen's death, and then Sergio shows up at the Texas-Alabama game.  

• Seems Gisele is not real happy with the GOAT returning to the NFL: “Obviously, I have my concerns—this is a very violent sport, and I have my children and I would like him to be more present,” she said in the profile. “I have definitely had those conversations with him over and over again. But ultimately, I feel that everybody has to make a decision that works for [them]. He needs to follow his joy, too.” ---- “I’ve done my part, which is [to] be there for [Tom], she said. "I moved to Boston, and I focused on creating a cocoon and a loving environment for my children to grow up in and to be there supporting him and his dreams. Seeing my children succeed and become the beautiful little humans that they are, seeing him succeed, and being fulfilled in his career—it makes me happy. At this point in my life, I feel like I’ve done a good job on that.”

• 2024 4-star DE Brian Robinson is trending to the good guys

• D Wade is leaving TNT

• Happy Birthday Jett Howard

Michigan Monday: BBQ - The Day After

The BBQ this weekend came and went without a public commitment.  I'm not hinting that there was a private one, I'm just saying that many recruits will commit to a coach before they make it public.   It's also pretty common for commitments to come during the following week of the BBQ.   Either way, Michigan has some ground to make-up in 2023 and 2024.  

Michigan's next all in QB is Jayden Davis (2024) brought 9 family members to the BBQ.  I would assume that is a great sign for him being very interested in Ann Arbor.

Hopefully we will get some positive news from the BBQ in the next two weeks.  

Update: Just as I was about to post this article, 2023 4-star OT Evan Link from DC commits! Big win for the Wolverines in a needed position.  More to come on Tuesday. 

• From a distance it seemed Detroit did a nice job with the Rocket Morgage PGA Tour stop this weekend.   Having a very well liked, Tony Finau as your champion doesn't hurt either. 

• The thing I don't understand in the DeShaun Watson case, is if either side doesn't agree with the 6-game decision, they can appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  If the NFL doesn't agree with the appointed Judge, can they appeal to itself?  "We don't agree with this decision and will now appeal to me". 

• UCLA and Under Armour came to a 67.5M settlement after UA pulled out of the contract.  That should help before UCLA gets their Big Ten pay day. 

Golf Trip Report: StreamSong Resort

There are a ton of great golf resorts in the US but I have a Mount Rushmore list.   Those are Pebble, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, and Whistling Straits.   I've been to 2 of 4 on that list and it might be time to let StreamSong into the party.  

Here are the details:

Stream has 3 courses on property Blue, Red, and Black and all 3 rank in the top "courses you can play in the US" by Golf Week and Golf Digest.  

The resort has a new feel as it was built in 2014 and the rooms are modern and big.  It has a SPA and a very nice Infinity pool that overlooks a lake.   While at the pool, you can buy bio-degradable golf balls to try to hit a 75-yard manmade island green in the lake to score a free beer. 

There are other things you can do at the resort, but let's be clear, everyone is here to golf.   The issue is, to say this resort "is in the middle of nowhere" is an understatement.   Bowling Green, FL is in the middle of the state and the resort sits a half an hour away from anything.  There literally isn't a gas station close to this resort.  If you're looking for nightlife outside the resort, you will be disappointed.  

The restaurants are nice but pricey as they got you locked in.   They do have a roof top bar, but this isn't Vegas.   The one thing that is missing is a coffee area, where you could pick up a Starbucks and a bagel before a round.    They want to push you to a restaurant for real breakfast, but if you're like me you want to get something quick and head to the range.  

The shuttle service is very strong and gets you to the courses and restaurants that are not at the main lodge.  None of the courses are at the main lodge/resort area. 

Golf:

All 3 courses are very good and different.  Blue is more of a "players" course, where shot making is key and can be set up difficult.  Red, has more character/views and can be set up to a player's ability on which tees you play.   Black is more of a links course with crazy roller coaster greens, no water, and sand everywhere.  

StreamSong has a strong caddy program and walking is encouraged.  With that said, in Florida's summer heat, I don't recommend it.  We walked Blue the first day in 96-degree heat and got a pull cart.  Huge mistake!!!  StreamSong is built on soft sand and the paths have "beach like sand".   Try pushing or pulling a cart up and down hills in beach sand.  Even the riding carts get stuck!  Blue and Red are in the same area and we didn't see any other walkers during our 2 rounds there.   If you walk either course, (make sure the temperature is reasonable) carry your bag or hire a caddy to do it!!! 

Black is the last course we played and is very walkable.  In fact, the riding cart has to stay on the path for most of the course and walking is preferred.   If we had to do it over again, we would have taken a riding cart for Blue and Red and walked Black.  

The practice area/range is very nice and included in your round.   There are also free unlimited bottle waters on the course in coolers every 3 or 4 holes.  When you walk in the summer heat, you will go through 10-15 of these little waters.  

Caddy Program:

The caddy program is very strong at Stream.   For example, if you take a riding cart, a caddy is mandatory.  The only way to not take a caddy is if you carry your own bag or take a pull cart.  The carts don't have GPS, so the only way you get yardage is from the caddy, from the sprinkler heads, or via your own device.   We didn't hire a caddy the first day but the other folks in our group did and he worked with us as well.   Caddy's come a recommended tip sheet. 

$100 per golfer for double bag walking 

$25 per golfer for riding golf for 4 players

$40 per golfer for riding 2 players 

Depending on how you want to work your caddy schedule, you can really increase the cost of your round.  I really like grabbing a cart and trying to get a round in at 5:00 a night, but you really can't do that here. 

Book in Advance:

There are really good deals for Florida and Georgia residents in the summer but be careful of the schedule.  For example, the resort is closed for three weeks starting today, so they can work on the courses.  The courses might be opened with a limited schedule during the rest of the summer.  

If you come during the winter season, the cost will be much higher.   The resort is building a family course but right now their guests are 95% male.   The Black course also has a family friendly putting course.  

This resort should be on your golf bucket list and I hope the above information is useful to you.  

 

Michigan Friday: Last Take on CJ

Many Michigan fans are conflicted on how they should feel about CJ Carr (grandson of Lloyd Carr) committing to ND for the 2024 class.  I know I mentioned this earlier this week, but now it's official I thought I would share a few more thoughts:

1. It's a long time from now and NSD 2024

2. CJ said he wanted to go away for college, ok fine.  

3. There are plenty of rumors that LC has not been a huge fan of the Michigan program since he retired.  

4. For the older BHB readers, you may remember, LC losing his mind when Greg Mattison left Ann Arbor (the first time) to go be ND's DC. 

5. Michigan will get a good/great QB in 2023 and/or 2024 class 

If CJ was not a 4/5star QB, nobody would care if he went to ND or not.   With that said, the Michigan faithful will want the best for CJ, while at the same time NOT ROOTING FOR ND.

Last thing, the Michigan fan base has been there for the Carr family with millions in generous donations to the Chad Tough Foundation.  Let's not get this twisted and compare a charity supporting patients with a deadly condition to a kid picking a college.  

• LIV golfers got suspended from the PGA Tour.   The players that are playing in the LIV tournaments are not stupid and did the math on losing status on the PGA Tour and losing sponsors.  The key to me is, will they be able to play in the majors?  The US and British Open seem to be OK to letting them play (unless they change a rule), the PGA Championship is out, and that leaves the Masters as a question mark.  The President and Ryder Cups are also out for the LIV golfers.    None of this was a surprise to anyone that tee'd it up in London on Thursday.   I love the idea of another professional golf league; I just wish it was funded by Amazon.  On a side note, smaller PGA Tournaments like the new one in Detroit, John Deere, etc. are in serious trouble. 

• Michigan is going to be hosting a number of prospects this weekend, let's hope that generates some commitments!

Michigan Thursday: Outback is Now What?

The Outback Bowl is now called the ReliaQuest Bowl, which is really easy to say.  What is ReliaQuest? Per the Tampa Bay Times:

ReliaQuest is a Tampa-based cybersecurity company with more than 1,000 employees.

“The Tampa Bay Bowl game has a rich history as an iconic game played on one of the biggest sports days of the year, January 1,” said Brian Murphy, the company’s founder and CEO. “We’ve always believed that security is a team sport and ReliaQuest is proud to continue this game’s great tradition.”

Murphy is also a Florida State booster.

We will see the Seminoles in Tampa a ton, if they can win 7 games. 

• Cade has a new NIL Deal with Ping Golf.  Brady Brand and now Ping Golf?  My man is doing well for himself on the golf course.   I'm worried if the "Shea played too much golf" excuse will come back up if he struggles next fall. 

• GLI Hockey Tournament is moving to Grand Rapids and doesn't include Michigan

• Jordan Glasgow has been released by the Colts

Michigan Monday: Baseball Had a Good Weekend

Michigan Baseball had a pretty good weekend in Louisville.  They beat Oregon and Louisville but took a lopsided loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.   They will play Louisville again today at noon for the Regional Championship game in the shadows of Church Hill Downs.  

• Jordan Poole took a lot of blame for the Warriors Game 1 loss in the NBA Finals.  He didn't play a ton early, but got in late in the 3rd quarter and pretty much cemented the game with a long 3 at the buzzer.  

• US Amateur Champ and local boy James Piot will play in the controversial LIV golf league premiering this week in London.  James has turned pro and even played this past week at the Memorial (shot 75-78), but he has yet to make any cuts or even break par in a round yet.   The choice to join the LIV tour is an interesting move as he has yet to earn tour status and is not a member of the PGA tour. 

• Touch the Banner a long time Michigan Blog that has done excellent recruiting coverage is now joining the Rivals network.  Congrats Magnus! 

Michigan Monday: Juwan Says No to The Lake Show

A few outlets are reporting that the Lakers made a hard run at Juwan Howard to be their next head coach and he turned them down.   As you know, there is a strong Michigan bond between Juwan and former Michigan teammate and current Lakers GM Rob Pelinka.  With Jett and Jace on the team, he isn't going anywhere.  He also has stated he isn't leaving until they hang another National Championship banner in Crisler.   Side note: I didn't know that Rob Pelinka graduated from Michigan's Law School. 

• RIP to former Michigan OC Calvin Magee, who had a heart attack a week ago.  Calvin was RR's OC.  Please keep a good thought for his family and friends. 

• IU's Trace Jackson-Davis has withdrawn from the NBA Draft.  I don't believe we will see any Wolverines making that same decision.  If players are going to "opt out" of the NBA Draft, they need to do so prior to 6/1.

• Jordon Poole is one game away from playing in an NBA Finals

Some PGA Championship thoughts:

I'm a big fan of JT's and loved that he found a way to win at Southern Hills on Sunday.  The joy of seeing him win was only second to the heart break of seeing Mito Pereira fumble away the lead on 18.   I don't know about you, but I could see myself doing the exact same thing on that hole if I was in a similar position.  

Prior to the PGA, I know Tiger said his leg was stronger but I didn't see any proof of that during the week.   The surprising cold conditions and wind on the weekend did not allow his body to finish the tournament.   My guess is Tiger is not interested in embarrassing himself and might not play another tournament this year.   I know St. Andrews is one of his favorite courses but if he isn't healthy, I don't know if he will be up for it.  

Will Zalatoris is going to win a lot of tournaments on the PGA but he will have to figure out the putter if he is going to win majors.  His game is elite and now he just needs a putting stroke to match the rest of his game.