Go Riders!

If you haven't figured it out yet, my user name is ridersrgr8 as since I was old enough to remember I have been a Saskatchewan Roughriders fan. I live and die with the fate of my team. I am a passionate fan and I follow every season, every game and every play. I rarely miss a game on TV and when I can I see them in live. The Riders are my team.

Even though I have yet to comment on the Riders in this forum, I believe my user name is appropriate. I am a Riders fan and despite the years of disappointment, no one will tell me that they are not great.

So here is my first post on the Riders. It comes on the day that Eric Tillman has replaced Roy Shivers. I liked Roy Shivers and I like Eric Tillman. Though I do not like change in the middle of the season, something had to be done. I have nothing but respect for the job Shivers did in bringing in quality players, but two things bothered me. One, why does this team continually underperform with the talent they have? I know it is Danny Barrett's job to get the players ready and motivated for each game, but this is one issue that has been there the entire time of the Barrett - Shivers regime. Maybe a change in the GM job will get the players out of their funk and play with some consistency.

Secondly, I am sick and tired about reading about my favorite team, and more specifically about the players on my favorite team being in the news for the wrong reasons. Fights in bars, DUI's, sexual assaults...the list is too long. And most of this has taken place under Shiver's watch...and he has stood behind his players, but when you don't have the results on the field, you get tired of hearing of the problems happening off the field.

That's in the past. Looking forward, Eric Tillman's record indicates he is a no-nonsense type of general manager. The son of a Minister, he will not tolerate behavior that was too common in the past. The players will have to behave themselves off the field (especially in Regina, where everyone knows their name) or they are gone. I am one of those fans who does not want to see any more off field transgressions. I can understand why the Rider's Board of Directors and specifically Jim Hopson went this route...it makes sense if they want to improve both on and off the field.

Although I respected the job Shivers did in bringing in talent, the off field shenanigans have worn thin on me and I support this change.

In the long run it is the right thing to do. Go Riders.

The best round of the summer

I spent most of last week in St. Louis at some pretty important meetings. For the most part they were productive, but it was long days and nights, and lots of discussion, planning and work to do as we go forward.

Mentally I was fatigued and was looking for a break and rest. I spent most of Sunday with the family, which was really special. And on Monday after work, I hit the links for what turned out to be the best round of the year so far.

I was able to play my home course for the first time in over three weeks. The course was in great shape and I started off strong; hitting the ball solid and far. In the end, I had four birdies; my personal best, and a score of 79, a season low.

I birdied 7, 10, 12 and 17. Two par fives and two par fours. I was putting for eagle on 12, which is a feat in itself. The hole is a 527 par 5 that is the number two handicap hole. I had a great tee shot of close to 300 (there was no wind). The hole is protected by a creek 40 yards in front of the green and only a fool would try to go for it in two, but I did. Luck was on my side as my ball hit right before the creek, bounced over and rolled onto the back of the green. I had 25 feet for eagle and it just missed. But I'll take a birdie on that hole any day.

What would be a round of golf without talking about the ones that got away. I keep thinking that I should have birdied 8 (10 ft putt that lipped the cup) and 16 (my putt finished 2 inches short). I also had three double bogeys and four three putts. Even still I shot a good score. My low round of the year and I can't wait to get back out there.

The Holiday

We returned from California on Thursday evening after a great trip. It has been a great summer to say the least. The weather has been fabulous and everywhere we went it was either very hot or comfortably warm.

In total we traveled over 3700 miles. Down to Monterey, then to Disneyland and then home. The drive was pretty good as the roads were in good shape, we didn't have to face a lot of construction and outside the anticipated heavy volume in the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, things sailed along pretty good.

The highlight of the trip had to be Disneyland. Our daughter had a great time and was all smiles at the experience. We were not sure how she would react, but she did great and still had energy at the end of the day. The experience was everything we could have asked for.

The highlights of the trip included spending time in some great places; Reno, San Francisco, Monterey, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas and Yellowstone National Park. Of course I can't forget the two rounds of golf that I played in Monterey, on two outstanding golf courses. I played Spanish Bay and Poppy Hills. Unfortunately, I'd like to forget my scores of 95 and 105.

It some respects it was tough for it to come to an end, at the same time, sometimes its good to be home.