#golf coaching centers

[timmyrx2000]

Pacifica's Moment of Truth

Pacifica makes a bold move and faces off against one of her coaches, Mabel! Art by @stephreynaart

Part of my Gravity Falls Baseball AU continuity

Pacifica's come a long way in her baseball training, from reluctantly joining Dipper and Mabel in a few pitches and hits, to actually realizing she loves playing the sport which has brought her closer to her new (and real) friends! But despite this, Pacifica still feels like she's lacking something. She enjoys baseball, not just with her friends, but playing the sport itself, but she can't shake off the feeling that she's not living up to their standard. Despite her love for the game, she still feels she's falling behind and that she struggles to keep up with the gang. Pacifica's all too familiar with the feeling of failure and disappointment, its what her mom and dad used to force her to be #1 at mini-golf. To her, if she's not #1, she's a failure and a disappointment to everyone around her who've supported her.

Pacifica knows that Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy are far from being the jerks that her parents were to her but she feels she's failing herself. Despite her love for the game, she can't help feel like she's a failure despite how much progress she's made. She thinks Dipper, Mabel, and Wendy are just being kind to her. She feels that they've given her all the support they have but she isn't living up to their expectations and she thinks she's a disappointment to them, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

Pacifica struggles with these thoughts until one day she couldn't take it anymore. She wasn't going to live in fear of her parents before, now she wasn't going to let herself live in fear of herself. On a warm sunny afternoon on the baseball field, as they took a breather from their practice, Pacifica decides to take the risk and ask Mabel, her assistant coach, to give her a challenge: to bat against Mabel without her holding back. Mabel already suspected that Pacifica had thoughts like this running through her head but she knows Pacifica's already got it in her to face off the best Mabel can dish out. But desperate to make sure Mabel doesn't compromise, she even makes her promise, no hands behind her back. Mabel pulls off her mitt and pinky promises on one hand while keeping the other one in Pacifica's view. Poor Dipper, however, gets dragged by the girls to play catcher despite being completely new to learning how to play as catcher. So secretly, Dipper really is hoping Pacifica knocks this challenge right out of the park...literally.

Dipper, reluctantly, gears up in his catcher's gear while Pacifica slips on her batting helmet and gloves. Dipper reassures her she's got this... and if she can please make sure she's got it so he doesn't have to worry about actually playing catcher. Its a light hearted moment that gets a laugh from Pacifica and the 2 head out to get in positions.

Mabel eyes Pacifica from the mound and Pacifica psyches herself out. Mabel sticks out her pinky before she pitches reminding Pacifica she wont go back on her pinky promise. With that, Mabel winds up, takes her stride and pitches. A nervous Dipper readies his mitt. Pacifica's eyes narrow, she swings with everything she's got and fixates on the ball as it comes in. Time slows down then... CRACK. Pacifica hits a beautiful line drive out to center field stunning herself at the plate while Mabel is ecstatically cheering on the mound. Pacifica did it! She's proven herself that she does belong with her friends on the diamond and nothing's gonna stop her.

With a sly grin on her face, Mabel turns back to the plate and asks Pacifica "Another one?". Pacifica returns the sly smirk fixing her helmet, tightening her batting gloves, and putting up her bat and just says "...Batter up!".

...Poor Dipper really hoped this was going to be a 1 pitch gig XD

[dailyniallnews]

SINGER NIALL HORAN INVESTS IN FENWAY SPORTS, MCILROY TGL TEAM

Singer-songwriter Niall Horan will tee it up as the latest investor in TGL, the tech-infused team golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Horan, who first gained fame as a member of boy band One Direction, invested in Boston Common Golf through his investment vehicle Greenbridge Ventures.

Boston Common Golf is one of the six inaugural TGL teams and owned by Fenway Sports Group and McIlroy’s investment firm, Symphony Ventures.

McIlroy and Horan both hail from Ireland and have been longtime friends. “Golf has been a lifelong passion of mine,” Horan said in a statement. “Being able to combine my love for the game and my friendship with Rory into a relationship that helps launch a new concept in golf is truly special.”

TGL teams will each feature four golfers hitting shots into a golf simulator screen until they are within 50 yards of the hole and the action transfers to a short game area that transforms between holes. The season includes 15 matches, plus playoffs.

Horan will also serve as an ambassador for Boston Common Golf, which will benefit from his massive social media following, which includes 72 million combined followers on Instagram and Twitter—Woods has 10 million and McIlroy 6 million.

In 2015, Horan launched a sports agency focused on golf, Modest! Golf Management, with his business partner, Mark McDonnell. Their clients include Tyrrell Hatton, who has won six European Tour events and one on the PGA Tour. That same year, Horan served as McIlroy’s caddie in the Masters’ annual Par 3 Contest.

In addition to his singing career, Horan was a coach the past year on The Voice and coached the winner in back-to-back seasons. He is currently on the North American leg of his global tour.

TGL was slated to start play this January, but delayed its inaugural season to begin Jan. 7, 2025 after a power failure caused the dome of the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens to deflate. The required repairs led the TGL to delay a year. Last month, Horan visited TGL’s performance lab to preview the technology that will be used in the competition.

The SoFi Center will boast a 3,000-square-foot simulator screen and a 22,475-square-foot customizable short game area. TGL rules also include a shot clock, and the league plans for players to be mic’d up during the action. A seating area for 1,500 has been designed around the playing zone.

Matches will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.

The six, location-tied teams for TGL’s inaugural season: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston, Jupiter Links GC, Los Angeles Golf Club, New York Golf Club and the Bay Golf Club, have attracted heavy hitters in the sports space, including Arthur Blank, Steve Cohen, Alexis Ohanian and Marc Lasry, as well as athletes Serena Williams, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Woods partnered with David Blitzer for the Jupiter franchise.

[stateofsport211]

The Challengers Are Real: An Introductory Post to the ATP Challenger Tour

A more compact version in the form of a Twitter thread can be found here.

Mike Faist (left) and Josh O'Connor (right) play Art Donaldson and Patrick Zweig in Challengers, portraying New Rochelle Challenger 2019 (📸 Challengers official trailer on YouTube)

If anyone comes here from the Challengers movie starting Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, which plot centered on a former Grand Slam tennis champion who registers to compete in a Challenger-level tournament and is somewhat drawn against the former lover of his wife (and coach) after a losing streak, even minus the romance part (which might or might not be true off-court), the plot is reminiscent to the real-life occurrence as a player’s career might have winded down due to a lot of factors (that could even go hand-in-hand), most notably injury and loss of form.

The ATP Challenger Tour was established in 1978 with 18 tournaments (in more limited locations than today) to serve as a feeder system for the ATP Tour, where it often operates 24/7 with more than 180 events in 40 countries nowadays, with the potential to increase this year. Being likened to the Minor Leagues in baseball, with players playing better than the club players (including us), it is characterized as the place where people try to transition from juniors/college to the professional Tour, hanging on due to enormous factors that do not allow them to break through (just yet), and regaining the form they once had (especially for former top players), which are the reasons the Challenger Tour is often dubbed as “the real deal” instead of the main Tour itself.

Beware of the length. This is a possible long read as this fan article aims to introduce non-tennis die-hard/hipster fans or even casual/non-tennis fans to the real-life ATP Challenger Tour. It might be essay-ish, but it can be useful!

How Are the Events Organized?

The tennis tournament hierarchy (📸 self-illustrated)

As an intermediary between the players who are starting, hanging on, and approaching retirement, the ATP Challenger Tour is in the middle of the professional tennis tournament hierarchy. It is the second-tier tour to the ATP Tour tournament structure, hereby referred to as the main Tour, and the ITF World Tour Tennis (formerly Futures). In this regard, the Grand Slams, whose scale is higher than the main Tour tournaments, are overseen by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the aforementioned ITF World Tour Tennis and the tennis field in the Olympics organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Challenger Tour itself comprised as many as 196 tournaments in 2023 held in 46 countries in comparison to the main Tour's 64 tournaments in 29 countries, while the ITF World Tour Tennis tournaments had a whopping 571 tournaments in 73 countries as of 2023, strengthening its position as the fundamental pillar of the professional tennis for the development of the future tennis stars with the Challenger Tour as its in-between.

On another note, the rankings system in tennis is updated almost weekly (except for the 2-week-long tournaments both in Tour-level and Grand Slams) compared to golf, for example.

The ATP Challenger Tour logo banner that was placed in the net during the Lille Challenger earlier this year (📸 Lille Challenger official website)

Back to how the Challenger Tour works, even though it is frequently averaged between 1-5 tournaments per week, with the least being in the week of the Roland Garros/French Open qualification rounds (1 in 2023, which was the Skopje Challenger), they are currently divided through 5 tiers depending on the points won by the eventual champions according to the most recent reform starting in 2023, which are:

Challenger 50 is the lowest tier;

Challenger 75;

Challenger 100;

Challenger 125;

Challenger 175, usually held on the second week of the 2-week Masters 1000s (the highest Tour-level event after the ITF-sanctioned Grand Slams) and often likened to a 250 (the lowest Tour-level tournament in scale) for their heavy draws.

Compared to the Tour level, the Challenger-level calendar is revealed periodically (usually every 3 months) and is accessible through the ATP’s website. To add, a Challenger season lasts slightly longer than the Tour-level calendar, for example in 2023–which main Tour season concluded with the Nitto ATP Tour Finals on November 20 and the Davis Cup Finals Knockout Stages on November 27–where there are 4 Challenger tournaments in the week of November 27-December 3, which are located in:

Yokkaichi, Japan (outdoor hard)

Maspalomas, Spain (outdoor clay)

Maia, Portugal (indoor clay)

Temuco, Chile (outdoor hard)

Clement Tabur (left) and Marco Trungelliti (right) as the runner-up and champion of the Kigali 2 Challenger, respectively, which took place in the Rwandan capital in the beginning of February 2024 (📸 Imvaho Nshya)

The tournaments themselves take place in a variety of locations, which will be dubbed as "their own swings" by taking into account its frequent differences between the main Tour events, either by location or by surface. For example, looking at the past few years:

2024's Indian swing (a string of Indian Challenger events, in this context) started weeks after the Australian Open with the Chennai Challenger, followed by Pune, Bengaluru, and New Delhi;

Challenger's own indoor (hard/clay) season is separated into two, which are the beginning of the season on par with the Tour's pre-Middle East swing European indoor season (e.g. for 2024, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Quimper, Koblenz, Nottingham 1, Cherbourg, Glasgow, Pau, Lille, and Lugano), with an addition of indoor clay Challengers like in Szekesfehervar (usually in March) and Maia (usually year-end), and toward the end of the season on par with the year-end European indoor season (as of 2023, e.g. Orleans, Bratislava 2, Hamburg, Ortisei, Bergamo, Helsinki, and Danderyd).

In addition, the North American circuit is notably divided into indoors at the beginning of the year (e.g. for 2024. Cleveland; and add Rome, GA Challenger in 2023) and after the US Open (most notably Charlottesville, Knoxville, and Champaign Challengers), and outdoors season with the concluded Indian Wells Challenger between the end of January and the beginning of February 2024, and while the Tour-level grass season came into a close, the outdoor hard-court in Palmas del Mar kick-started the summer hard-court season in 2023, but the Phoenix Challenger stood in between the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000s held in the former's second week;

Challenger Tour's own clay season, both European and Latin American, which will be explained in a separate section considering its prevalence and impact to the current tennis landscape;

Other than Tunis, another notable tournament held in Africa was the Kigali Challenger in Rwanda from earlier this year, which became the seventh African country to organize a Challenger-level event;

Challengers' Mexican swing, which differed from the 2 tournament stops on the main Tour as this featured several clay-court and hard-court tournaments;

The Challengers used to have some carpet tournaments based in Eckental and Ismaning, the former which was folded in 2022 due to budget and support constraints, with the latter being the sole carpet tournament of the Challenger Tour since then despite carpet tournaments still being played in the ITF (former Futures) level;

The Challengers' own Asian Swing, which spanned between the South Korean swing spread before the French Open (around April), with parts of the Chinese swing being added to the timeline in 2024 before its second chapter in between/after the US Open (September-November) in line with the main Tour's Asian Swing, added by the Japanese swing to close the year (per the 2023 calendar).

Speaking of the Tour being 24/7, there will be several weeks where tennis visibly never stops. For example, in the second week of April 2024 (Apr 8-14), there are tournaments in:

Busan, South Korea (outdoor hard, which commenced the first half of the Asian Challenger swing);

Split, Croatia (outdoor clay);

Madrid, Spain (outdoor clay);

Sarasota, Florida, United States of America (outdoor green/HarTru clay, which kicked off one-third of the US green clay court circuit pre-French Open);

Morelos, Mexico (outdoor altitude hard, which continued this half of the Mexican Challenger swing, which succeeded the clay-court tournaments of that swing).

Furthermore, there is also a possibility that the 4-5 tournaments held that week will be played on 3 different surfaces, mainly clay, hard, and grass, with the grass-court tournaments being a preparation for the Wimbledon Championships; however, all of the grass-court Challengers solely take place in the United Kingdom. For this year, an example of those weeks is the week of June 3 (the 23rd week of the year), where there are 5 tournaments played on 3 different surfaces, which are located in:

Surbiton, United Kingdom (outdoor grass);

Heilbronn, Germany (outdoor clay);

Prostejov, Czech Republic (outdoor clay);

Zagreb, Croatia (outdoor clay);

Tyler, Texas, United States of America (outdoor hard).

Challenger Tour's Own Clay Season

One of the most prominent Challenger-level clay tournaments in Buenos Aires, with a packed home crowd (📸 ATP official website)

Even though the main Tour events have their own clay swing during the Golden Swing (the South American clay-court events usually held in February before the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000s, the latter that is famously called the "Sunshine Double") right after the two said hard-court Masters 1000 tournaments (starting from the end of March until the beginning of June), as well as a mini-clay season after the Wimbledon Championships before the North American summer hard-court swing (between July-August), the clay-court season never stops in the Challenger Tour, especially South America.

Parts of the Challenger Tour in South America were initiated by former World No. 31 Horacio de la Peña called the Legion Sudamericana in 2021 as he pointed out the lack of opportunities for Latin American players to develop their game on their home soil. From there, he brought the South American tennis federations together (such as but not limited to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay) that not only comprised the clay-court Challengers as they mostly grew up on clay but also featured the hard-court Challengers, such as the Brasilia and Temuco Challengers by the end of the last season (2023), leading up to the Australian summer hard-court season to start the following year. This generated a huge impact on the growth of Latin American tennis as this was supported by the immense passion of the local fans as proven by their well-attended events. For instance, in 2022 alone (a year after this initiation), Argentinean players won 23 Challenger titles and 14 South American players partook in the Australian Open qualification rounds, which increased three-fold compared to their 2021 Australian Open qualifications participation rate as there were 20 players from the region in 2023 compared to only 7 in 2021. The number also grew into 10 South American players inside the Top 100 as of April 29, 2024, in a group of 35 Latin American players inside the Top 300 by that time, and could possibly be higher as the year progressed.

On the other hand, the clay season in the other parts of the world (mainly Europe) spanned from before the French Open until almost the end of the year. For example, most of the 24 Challenger-level tournaments held in Italy were clay-court tournaments, which explained the steady rise of Italian tennis as they invested a lot in their players' development from the availability of the lower-level tournaments until the coaching department to add to their passion of sports in general. Some others took place in different parts of Europe, including another possible tennis powerhouse in the Czech Republic, where Challenger tournaments held there are mostly clay-court ones, thanks to their grassroots development as well that cultivates the passion for the game in them (including having tennis courts almost everywhere), hence there are (young) talents from almost everywhere in the country.

Detailed writing about the South American Challenger's clay-court circuit as part of the entire pre-Roland Garros/French Open qualification build-up article, dated from the beginning of the 2023 clay season, can be found here.

Broadcast

The Challenger TV advertisement on the ATP official website (📸 ATP official website)

The ATP Challenger Tour is broadcasted in a dedicated part of the ATP official website, free of charge and repeatable as long as there are no technical problems on their website. People could rewind and document their moments, from the most hilarious ones to the hottest tennis shots and points the players constructed. Starting at the beginning of this year, compared to what is commonly said as the “dodgy CCTV camera” stream that was used back in the day, the current streams have HD cameras, making the moments even more visible.

Interestingly, these past few years, several Challenger tournaments have also been broadcasted on the local televisions of the country (or a specific place) where the competition takes place despite only the main courts or the later rounds. For instance, the tournaments in Latin America are often broadcasted by ESPN (Star+), DirecTV, or TyC Sports (in Argentina), ORR in Austria, L’Equipe TV/BeIN Sports for some French tournaments, and recently, Tennis Channel 2 broadcasts the Phoenix Challenger as part of their attempt to broadcast more US-based Challenger tournaments.

Some upcoming sections might have contained the outline of select players' journey to the author's best knowledge and how the Challenger Tour and the recent enhancements from the ATP play a part in their careers. Out of plethora of tennis players, they are just (tangible) examples of the influence of this circuit before or during breaking through/coming back to the ranks.

Top Players and Emerging Talents

According to the ATP Rulebook, it is stated that within the top players, the Top 10 players 21 days before the first Monday of the ATP Challenger Tour tournament are prohibited from entering by all means possible, be it through direct entry, wild card, or Special Exempts, especially in the 75-175 categories. For those ranked 11-50 by then, they could enter the 175 category per their ranks 3 weeks before the said tournament, and the ATP also has to approve their wild cards should there be a proposal, receiving a limited amount of wild cards depending on the Challenger Tour and the Tour-level schedule for that week. However, those players ranked 1-150 by then are not allowed to enter the 50 category, with the players ranked between 51-150 can receive a wild card upon approval (especially 50-100, where they must have the same nationality as the tournament).

Former World No. 1 Andy Murray (left) with his Surbiton Challenger title (📸 LTA) and former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori (right) with his Palmas del Mar Challenger Title (📸 The Japan Times), all won last year

Usually, former top players partake in the Challenger Tour for numerous reasons, mainly returning from injury (or suspension, if any) and grinding to regain their form back, which often takes forever–or, in some other instances, it's the nearest tournament to say farewell (as a professional player) to the sport that raised them. One of the most prominent examples from the first category was from former World No. 1 Andy Murray, who made his return to tennis with a metal hip in the summer of 2019, where he also rebuilt through the Challenger Tour until he became a permanent fixture again several years later, including his participation in the grass-court Challengers to prepare for the bigger-scale tournaments, as he won the Surbiton-Nottingham Challenger double in 2023–and somehow found himself winning the Aix-en-Provence Challenger on clay months prior, and former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori, who returned from his injuries in Palmas del Mar Challenger 2023 as an unranked player receiving a wild card to partake, winning the whole tournament afterward to mark his comeback to the sport despite his inability to catch a break in between once again. Former World No. 6 Matteo Berrettini, who was sidelined for more than a year due to various injuries, came back to become the runner-up in the Phoenix Challenger weeks before winning his first ATP-level title in two years in Marrakech (250). Recently, Frances Tiafoe hit a rough patch since the end of last year, which extended to this year's clay season, where he takes a wild card to rebuild in the Cagliari Challenger (which is a 175) for the week in hopes of rebuilding the confidence missing from his game, starting his campaign in the next few days as he received a first-round bye.

Ugo Humbert (left) with his Metz (250) 2023 title (📸 Tenis Magazyn) and Jan-Lennard Struff (right) with his Madrid Masters 1000 2023 runner-up trophy (📸 Sport 1 Germany)

There were several other notable stories where they reached new heights after being unable to catch a break regardless of age (for the older players, they are often called "late bloomers"). Ugo Humbert, who repeatedly ended up injured within the past years, marked the beginning of his resurgence with the Rennes Challenger 2022 title, followed by surviving an almost 4-hour match to win the Pau Challenger 2023, as well as the Cagliari Challenger at the same year before making stronger runs in both summer grass and hard-court seasons, ultimately winning the Metz (250) title on his home soil to out-perform his previous career-high ranking of 25 attained back in 2021, now having the best ranking of 13 from April 15, 2024. While it might have been the end of the road for Jan-Lennard Struff, he picked up where he left off last year by reaching 3 Challenger-level semifinals before re-entering the Top 100 thanks to his Monte Carlo Masters 1000 semifinal appearance as a qualifier, followed by becoming the runner-up of Madrid Masters 1000 as a lucky loser. Proving the doubters wrong once again, he finally won his maiden ATP-level title in Munich (250), where he became the third-oldest first-time champion since the ATP Tour was established in 1990.

Pierre Hugues-Herbert (top) won the Quimper Challenger 2024 (📸 Ouest France) and Benoit Paire (bottom) won the Puerto Vallarta Challenger 2023 (📸 Noticias AL Mexico)

However, not everyone had a successful comeback story. While former singles World No. 36 and doubles World No. 2 Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who also completed his career Grand Slam in doubles with Nicolas Mahut rebuilds as this was written, his comeback was plagued by some setbacks and injuries until the middle of 2023, as well as some other issues in between. Right as he started to get the knack again after winning the Quimper Challenger 2024 and becoming the runner-up of the Naples Challenger, another setback occurred in taking care of his youngest son who had just undergone surgery. The struggle can also be felt for former singles World No. 16 Benoit Paire, who fell as low as being ranked 217 on February 2, 2023, due to several losing streaks. Even though he found some knack after winning the Puerto Vallarta Challenger 2023, followed by the San Benedetto del Tronto Challenger months later before closing his season by being the Maia Challenger runner-up, his rollercoaster results comprised the rest of his season, including another string of early exits to start 2024 that prompted speculations of his retirement after the Rome Masters 1000 and the French Open/Roland Garros based on his latest updates.

Patrick Kypson with his Cleveland Challenger 2024 title (left) and Steve Johnson with his Bloomfield Hills Challenger 2023 title (right) (📸 ATP Challenger Tour's official Twitter–1, 2)

Often, which is also applicable to emerging talents, these Challengers are also part of the reciprocal Wild Card Challenge for the countries holding a Grand Slam, for example how the green clay trio of Sarasota-Tallahassee-Savannah Challenger in the United States became an addition to the other red-clay events spread in the different parts of the world for the players from the United States to compete to earn Roland Garros/French Open wild cards as a reward of their performance (as well as for their French counterparts within their system made by their federation) or an equivalent challenge for their summer hard-court season to form the US Open Wild Card Challenge in addition to counting their performances in equivalent surfaces corresponding to the Grand Slams. For instance, this paved the way for Patrick Kypson, who earned both the French Open 2023 and the Australian Open 2024 wild cards thanks to his exceptional performance in the mentioned series of tournaments, backing the latter up with a title in Cleveland Challenger, as well as solid runs in Delray Beach (250) the week after to finally enter the Top 150 for the first time. In contrast, after winning 2 Challenger titles in Bloomfield Hills and Lexington, former World No. 26 Steve Johnson won the US Open Wild Card Challenge last year and received a wild-card to the US Open last year, which turned out to be his last appearance in his home Slam (since he is from the United States), as he decided to hang his racquet during the Indian Wells Masters 1000 earlier this year.

Today, young talents also benefit from the College/Junior/NextGen Accelerator Programs that speed up their rise, which will be explained right in the next section.

The College/Junior/NextGen Accelerator Programs

The Junior/College Accelerator Program diagrams (📸 ATP official website)

For some people who had outstanding junior careers or even collegiate careers (for the latter, it is now for those who attended the US universities, notably playing in the NCAA), they are rewarded with the College/Junior Accelerator Program to try their hands against the best of the game as early as they transition from junior/college to the professional Tour. This partly answered the previous concerns about players having difficulties transitioning between the junior and professional circuit while recognizing their immense potential at times, thus the necessity to promote the rise of young talents to build through these accelerated opportunities.

In this case, the stand-outs from juniors (mostly between 1-30 in the ITF junior rankings, as well as the junior Grand Slam champions and finalists), college (ranks 1-20 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/ITA rankings), and NextGen (for players aged 20 and under inside the Top 350 ranking range) by the end of each season will be allotted certain occasions (and select tournament levels) to play in the main draw of both the Challenger Tour (in this case, it is for junior and college) and the main Tour-level (which applies to the NextGen players), as well as the ITF World Tour Tennis-level (for the up-and-coming juniors in a certain ranking range as illustrated). This hopes to nurture their talent and improve their pathway to develop their game, thus elevating their progress through the higher ranks of the game.

Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez (top left, 📸 International Tennis Federation), Joao Fonseca (top right, 📸 ATP official website), Martin Landaluce (bottom left, 📸 Tennisnet.com), and Ben Shelton (bottom right 📸 On Running Switzerland) as one of the examples of rapid rises through or influencing the Accelerator Programs

Outside of these, making it more tangible, some people in this category notably received wild cards in their local tournaments that could also help their development as they only allotted limited occasions to use their junior rankings. This might be the case for former junior World No. 1 Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez, who received numerous wild cards in Mexican Challenger and Tour-level events within the past 2 years before finally making his Challenger-level quarterfinal debut this year in Acapulco, or another former junior World No. 1 Joao Fonseca, who also benefited through a combination of his junior rankings/wild-cards/direct entries between 2022 and 2023, paving him the way to become the Asuncion Challenger runner-up and in the main Tour, the Rio de Janeiro (an ATP 500-level tournament) quarterfinals on his home ground before forging his college eligibility (right before starting his academic year) to turn professional. In addition, another former junior World No. 1 in 2023, Martin Landaluce, who notably trained in Rafael Nadal Academy, also has his Challenger and main Tour-level participation a combination between most of the wild cards and direct entry apart from the direct entry when his ranking is sufficient, which started to pay off when he reached his maiden Challenger-level quarterfinals in Alicante last year before reaching his first Challenger-level semifinal in Tenerife 2 just several months ago.

For college, this might not be possible without Ben Shelton's rapid rise, who became a runner-up in 2 Challenger-level tournaments and won 3 back-to-back tournaments (Charlottesville-Knoxville-Champaign) in 2022, some of them through wild cards thanks to his potential being spotted after being crowned the champion of the 2021/22 NCAA Singles Championship when attending the University of Florida, solidifying his rise through his fourth-round appearances in the Australian and US Open before winning his first Tour-level title in Tokyo (500).

Behind the Scenes of the Real-Life Challengers

Billy Harris in front of his van, the vehicle he used to travel between tournaments for three and a half years (📸 The Times)

As of 2017, there are more than 14,000 tennis players (male or female) who tried to make ends meet. However, only a handful of them could make the cut in the world's best, undergoing an arduous journey to the top, and most were unable to continue due to travel and financial difficulties. The latter is crucial not only for them to participate in a tournament (and its related logistics) but also for them to be able to practice (with a coach or more), to recover (e.g. through physiotherapy), as well as numerous other necessities while on Tour. Often, some could not afford traveling coaches for this reason, and finding sponsors could also be a struggle for them to keep moving forward. These are some reasons tennis players are often regarded as independent contractors.

Generally observing, there are various examples from players to manage them, but not everyone can live the life depicted in the movie. Some might have ended up playing select tournaments a year, sleeping in a van for the nearest tournaments compared to any other accommodation options, or regrettably, resorting to match-fixing (which also became an extensive issue for tennis in general) due to the little points and prize money they receive in the lower-level tournaments before the ATP institutes the prize-money-related reforms as part of the Challenger restructuring in 2023, as well as the Baseline initiative (with the financial stability for the Top 150 being the goal) later that year.

Some who could not catch a break, for instance, suffering from continuous injuries, took ages to (re)build from where they left off, and those who could not take it any longer gave up playing the sport due to the "demands" needed to reach the top. In the latter's case, some turned out to be a coach (like Zendaya's character, Tashi Duncan), a real-life case for the example of Gianluigi Quinzi.

These days, thanks to platforms like YouTube (and other social media platforms), some players document their experiences through their vlogs (video blogs) starting from how to win their first ATP point, how to travel in between tournaments, as well as preparing for the said competitions, until analyzing their own matches. Some prominent examples came from such as but not limited to:

Simon Freund

Federico Coria (look up: Fede Coria)

Juan Pablo Paz

Fabien Salle

Felix Mischker (look up: Tennis Brothers)

Karue Sell (look up: My Tennis HQ)

Challenger Doubles

Marcus Willis/Christian Harrison, the winner of this year's Savannah Challenger (📸 WSAV-TV)

In addition to the singles sector, the Challenger Tour typically has a doubles sector. Interestingly, this is another cross-line between up-and-coming doubles specialists, who are the players who only play doubles for several reasons (which also includes doubling the joy, doubling the fun, and doubling the chaos altogether), and those who frequently play singles but frequently/occasionally play doubles as well. While sometimes the consideration comes from the extra prize money they could earn from the latter kind of players, some turned out to have equal potential in doubles just like in singles or vice versa (having their potential also spotted in the doubles scene before singles), often having higher doubles ranking than singles despite playing both (which could be the case for those like Orlando Luz and Daniel Cukierman). Speaking of doubling the fun and mess, the Challenger-level doubles matches can be as hilarious as exhibition matches, which was exemplified by the Little Rock Challenger 2023 semifinals between Alexis Galarneau/Nicolas Moreno de Alboran and Callum Puttergill/Kelsey Stevenson.

Somehow, some rising pairs also started their way here and made their waves, often by winning multiple titles. For instance, before their doubles break-up at the end of the US Open 2023, Julian Cash/Henry Patten notably won 11 Challenger titles, 10 of which were won in 2022 (including the year-end Maia Challenger), the last one being in the Sarasota Challenger 2023. There are also some notable up-and-coming pairs, with some also having their collegiate roots, such as Ryan Seggerman/Patrik Trhac, who won 7 ITF titles before winning 3 Challenger titles since they paired up last year, or Sadio Doumbia/Fabien Reboul, who became more prominent as they partner more often these past few years as proven by their 15 Challenger-level titles since 2019 and 3 ATP Tour-level titles since winning their first title in Chengdu (250) 2023. There is also a “rebirth” lore in former singles World No. 322 Marcus Willis, who announced his retirement in 2021 and decided to give the professional Tour one more go a year later as a doubles specialist, winning 3 Challenger titles by the time this was written with 2 different partners to kick off this season.

Harri Heliovaara/Lloyd Glasspool, one of the most notable Challenger doubles breakout (📸 LTA)

One of the other remarkable doubles breakouts from the Challenger Tour came from Harri Heliovaara/Lloyd Glasspool, who won 4 Challenger titles in 2021 and became a runner-up in 2 other tournaments before breaking out as an alternate in Rome Masters 1000 by reaching the third round before reaching the quarterfinals in the French Open, partnering for at least one more year before splitting after the Shanghai Masters 1000. Currently, Heliovaara plays with another rising doubles player in Henry Patten (who came to the scene with Julian Cash before their split), as Lloyd Glasspool plays with veteran Jean-Julien Rojer. Since watching Challengers is free, it is time to watch more (Challenger) doubles, just like Tennis Tribe campaigns for the main Tour as well.

The Challenger Fandom and How They Stan Players #OnTheRise

The full-house stands during the ATP Challenger Tour tournaments in Shenzhen (top) and Buenos Aires (bottom) (📸 ATP Challenger Tour, the latter via Buenos Aires Challenger)

The tennis fandom extends from the main Tour-level fans, which most people usually are, and the "die-hard" fans, some of whom are dubbed as tennis hipsters, which is a group of passionate fans who adore the players' grind in the lower-level tournaments (Challengers and ITFs), often preferring to watch or follow matches in that level, some of which being unstreamed, than the main professional Tour-level matches. They even have their own definitions of talents (= potential players) and goats (= greatest of all time), where the potential of these players is revealed as the year progresses and as the circuit runs regardless of age.

However, parts of the fandom are still being shadowed by people who occasionally/frequently bet on the outcomes of a game/set/match, some of which influenced match-fixing practices as mentioned in the previous sections. While betting seems tempting, as many warnings on responsible betting as there are, it is not encouraged (especially at the places where it is illegal) not only for financial reasons but also affects self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, work performance, and social life, which can harm family, friends, workplace, and communities, as evident in the broader tennis issue.

Interestingly, some tournaments are well-attended, with even the Challenger-level players and tournaments gathering more fans to appreciate the game and the grind. Some such examples are the Latin American events (e.g. in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, among others), the French tournaments (where a famous chant “papapapapapapapapapa ole” is chanted, it must be either in French tournaments or involving French players), the competitions held in Italy and the United Kingdom as there are a handful of fans also watching the Challenger tournaments all the way in Japan and South Korea, as well as the recently-concluded (by the time of this draft) Kigali Challenger in Rwanda. Some tournaments have “free entry” in most parts of the day, while some tournaments have (at their local rates) more affordable tickets to attend the later days of the tournament. Some become passionate fans of a particular player/some players they followed or regularly attend the nearest Challenger tournament near them, and some can also be inspired to pick up the racquet and play several years after their attendance.

From this, the lower-level tennis fandom might not be as prevalent as the main Tour, but even without the gambling element, some become legitimate avid fans for their love of the game. They chase talents, find joy in their respective journeys, and are pleased should they break through or break even after hanging on for several years. This is in line with the ATP Challenger Tour’s #OnTheRise campaign, where they championed what is seen as a repetitive process of grinding, which represented hard work, perseverance, and discipline, paving the way to greatness. This is sometimes overlooked due to the (statistical) comparative nature between one player and another since there is also a perception that life is not a race, and everyone has their own path to the top, which tennis opens the gate to. Ultimately, for some “die-hards,” following the players from the start, all the effort, until they rise or become one of the legends is a pleasure. Sometimes, these fans also made sure “they are there for/until their last dance” when the player’s last-ever professional tournament played to honor their incredible careers, which marked their retirement from playing tennis professionally, took place in their nearby Challenger tournament, or those that made a significance in their careers. All those reasons are believed to be also behind the #WatchChallengersFolks campaign, which has been widespread on Twitter these past few years.

Important Links

ATP Challenger TV (free broadcast of the Challenger Tour matches)

ATP Challenger Tour annual calendar, updated periodically

Entry Lists (for Challenger-level and above to check on the participants of each event)

Live Rankings (real-time ranking estimates before the official rankings come out) (1, 2)

[apureniallsource]

Singer-songwriter Niall Horan will tee it up as the latest investor in TGL, the tech-infused team golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Horan, who first gained fame as a member of boy band One Direction, invested in Boston Common Golf through his investment vehicle Greenbridge Ventures.

Boston Common Golf is one of the six inaugural TGL teams and owned by Fenway Sports Group and McIlroy’s investment firm, Symphony Ventures.

McIlroy and Horan both hail from Ireland and have been longtime friends. “Golf has been a lifelong passion of mine,” Horan said in a statement. “Being able to combine my love for the game and my friendship with Rory into a relationship that helps launch a new concept in golf is truly special.”

TGL teams will each feature four golfers hitting shots into a golf simulator screen until they are within 50 yards of the hole and the action transfers to a short game area that transforms between holes. The season includes 15 matches, plus playoffs.

Horan will also serve as an ambassador for Boston Common Golf, which will benefit from his massive social media following, which includes 72 million combined followers on Instagram and Twitter—Woods has 10 million and McIlroy 6 million.

In 2015, Horan launched a sports agency focused on golf, Modest! Golf Management, with his business partner, Mark McDonnell. Their clients include Tyrrell Hatton, who has won six European Tour events and one on the PGA Tour. That same year, Horan served as McIlroy’s caddie in the Masters’ annual Par 3 Contest.

In addition to his singing career, Horan was a coach the past year on The Voice and coached the winner in back-to-back seasons. He is currently on the North American leg of his global tour.

TGL was slated to start play this January, but delayed its inaugural season to begin Jan. 7, 2025 after a power failure caused the dome of the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens to deflate. The required repairs led the TGL to delay a year. Last month, Horan visited TGL’s performance lab to preview the technology that will be used in the competition.

The SoFi Center will boast a 3,000-square-foot simulator screen and a 22,475-square-foot customizable short game area. TGL rules also include a shot clock, and the league plans for players to be mic’d up during the action. A seating area for 1,500 has been designed around the playing zone.

Matches will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+.

The six, location-tied teams for TGL’s inaugural season: Atlanta Drive GC, Boston, Jupiter Links GC, Los Angeles Golf Club, New York Golf Club and the Bay Golf Club, have attracted heavy hitters in the sports space, including Arthur Blank, Steve Cohen, Alexis Ohanian and Marc Lasry, as well as athletes Serena Williams, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Woods partnered with David Blitzer for the Jupiter franchise.

[petoskeystones]

well guys in light of recent events i guess i'll tell you about Champions Day, when detroit was so goddamn good at every single major sport in 1935-36 that governor frank fitzgerald said fuck it let's have a day about it. 89 years ago today—

the tigers won their first world series. genuinely an insane lineup with hank greenberg, charlie gehringer, goose goslin, and mickey cochrane as player-manager. known wifeguy schoolboy rowe pitched a great season but he was also a pretty good hitter! anyways we won the world series in game six over the cubs and detroit celebrated until six am. it was the first baseball championship in detroit since 1887 (when the detroit wolverines won the national league pennant).

the red wings won their first stanley cup under the coaching of my worstie jack adams, but we beat the leafs to do it, so yippee! this season for the wings featured future hall of famers ebbie goodfellow, marty barry, herbie lewis, and syd howe (no relation). notably, this was the season that the longest hockey game Ever was played— in the stanley cup semifinals the wings went to SIX OVERTIMES against the montreal maroons, and won when mud bruneteau scored the only goal of the game. they were scoreless from 8:30 pm to 2:30 am. what the hell. anyways yeah we beat the leafs in the best of five series, 3-1.

and the lions won their first nfl championship. that's what they called it in the 1930s, just the nfl championship. the lions won 26-7 over the new york giants. however people simply did Not care about pro football in the 1930s, college football was much more popular and it was the least attended championship game ever (in national peacetime). the weather was miserable and they all got $300 and that's it. glen presnell, the last surviving player from that game, said "it was a way to make a living during the depression" okay!

the nba didn't exist yet. but other sports did! detroit was a majorhub for boat racing, and gar wood wasat the center of it all with his company, garwood industries, which made wooden pleasure or racing boats. he was the first man to travel at 100mph on water, which he did a few years before champions day, but they celebrated it anyways. joe louis was the athlete of the year and the number-one ranked heavyweight boxer in the world (in june of 1936 he would get knocked out for the first time in his career by max schmeling, reportedly because instead of training he got really into golf. i mean he later was pivotal in desegregating the professional golfers' association, and he knocked out max schmeling in 1938, so really it was all fine). and detroiter eddie tolan had won two gold medals in sprinting at the 1932 olympics, which was considered a huge success for the city (he had his own eddie tolan day that year) and for black americans. of the 307 races he competed in during his career, he won 300.

anyways. in the middle of the great depression detroit got to shine for a minute, and to this day is the only city to win the championship for three of the four major american sports in the same year. happy champions day folks!

[accidentalsoravoice]

Update on my Left 4 Dead 2 Mods

This time I'll throw in a whole comprehensive list (it's under the cut so it doesn't take up your entire feed, because I installed an obscene amount of mods)

Characters

Nick - Shadow the Hedgehog

Rochelle - Makoto Nijima (Persona 5)

Ellis - Sora

Coach - Master Chief

Bill - Simon "Ghost" Riley (Call of Duty)

Francis - Walter White

Louis - a Minecraft version of Benny from The Lego Movie

Zoey - Mipha (Zelda: BotW)

Zombies

Common Infected - monkeys

Hunter - Senator Armstrong (Metal Gear Rising)

Spitter - Shrek

Boomer - Otis (Barnyard)

Smoker - Fred Jones (Scooby Doo)

Charger - Terry Crews (yes, the Old Spice guy)

Jockey - Glen Quagmire

Witch - SCP-096

Tank - Bowser

Weapons

Guns

M16 - ACR (Call of Duty)

AK - FN SCAR-17

SCAR - FAMAS

MAC10 (silenced SMG) - silenced UMP-45

Uzi - Kriss Vector

MP5 - PPSH-41

SG 552 - MG42 (Far Cry)

Pump Shotgun - Pump Shotgun (but from GTA)

Chrome Shotgun - random shotgun from Counter-Strike, but with Asiimov

Tactical Shotgun - Tactical Shotgun (Fortnite)

SPAS-12 - AA12

Military Sniper - Barrett M82

Hunting Rifle - M1 Garand

Steyr Scout - M1903 Springfield

AWP - Bow (Minecraft)

Pistol - FN Five Seven

Magnum - Smith & Wesson .500 (Resident Evil 4)

Grenade Launcher - Mentos-powered Pepsi launcher

2. Melee

Fire axe - Axe (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

Baseball Bat - Naofumi's Shield (Rising of the Shield Hero)

Cricket Bat - Shield of Wrath (Rising of the Shield Hero)

Crowbar - Nokia hammer (I am not kidding it's literally just a Nokia on a stick)

Frying Pan - Frying pan with Kirby's face on it

Golf Club - just a sword

Guitar - none

Katana - Murasama (Metal Gear Rising)

Machete - random sword and shield from Dark Souls

Nightstick - Kylo Ren's lightsaber

Pitchfork - plastic fork

Knife - Butterfly Knife (TF2)

Shovel - squeaky hammer

Chainsaw - Pochita

3. Throwables

Pipe bomb - Electrode (Pokemon)

Boomer bile - Jarate (TF2)

Molotov - literally just the Autism creature

Music/Sounds

Horde alert sound - Prowler meme sound (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)

Healing sound - "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler

Getting hit by a Tank sound - metalpipe.mp3

Shoving zombies sound - various Super Mario World sound effects

Saferoom fanfare - Final Fantasy VIII victory fanfare

Saferoom music - File Select (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Ridden by a Jockey music - Gas Gas Gas (Initial D)

Pummeled by a Hunter music - It Has to be This Way (Metal Gear Rising)

Horde battle theme - Bowser battle theme (Super Mario World)

Tank battle theme - Bellumbeck battle (Zelda: Phantom Hourglass)

Escape music - Finn McMissile's theme (Cars 2)

Credits music - Jump Up, Super Star (Super Mario Odyssey)

Dark Carnival concert music

Live & Learn - Sonic Adventure 2

Won't Stop, Just Go! (Green Forest theme) - Sonic Adventure 2

Live & Learn (30th Anniversary symphony ver.) - Sonic Adventure 2

That's the Way I Like It (Metal Harbor theme) - Sonic Adventure 2

Animations

Healing animation - breakdancing (doesn't work with Shadow/Nick for some reason)

Hunter pummel animation - rapid punching (now you see why that song from MGR plays and why it's Senator Armstrong)

Items

Medkit - Drip Goku body pillow

Pain Pills - crystal meth (I'm not joking, it's just Heisenburg blue crystal meth)

Adrenaline - coffee

Propane tank - Bowser Bomb (Mario Party 2)

Miscellaneous

The Ferris Wheel in Dark Carnival is now a giant statue of Garfield t-posing

Jimmy Gibbs Jr.'s car from Dead Center is now the magic carpet from Aladdin

Explosions have the "MY LEG" soundbite from Spongebob in them

[alltimenews18]

Discover the Best Tennis Holidays in Asia: Explore China, India, and Sri Lanka

Asia, with its diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and rapidly developing sports facilities, has become a prime destination for tennis enthusiasts looking for unique holiday experiences. China, India, and Sri Lanka, in particular, offer a blend of top-notch tennis facilities, luxurious accommodations, and rich cultural experiences that make them ideal for a tennis holiday. Let’s explore what each of these countries has to offer.

China: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Tennis Facilities China has rapidly developed its sports infrastructure, and this is evident in its world-class tennis facilities. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai boast impressive tennis academies and clubs, such as the Beijing International Tennis Center and the Shanghai Tennis Club. These venues offer professional coaching, well-maintained courts, and the chance to watch international tennis tournaments like the Shanghai Masters.

Accommodation and Activities Luxury hotels and resorts, such as The Peninsula in Shanghai and the Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, provide not only excellent accommodations but also access to private tennis courts and professional trainers. After a morning on the court, you can explore the Great Wall, visit the Forbidden City, or enjoy a river cruise on the Yangtze.

India: A Cultural and Sporting Odyssey

Tennis Facilities India offers numerous tennis centers that cater to both amateurs and seasoned players. The country’s prominent tennis hubs include the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association in Bangalore and the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association. These facilities provide excellent training programs and opportunities to engage with local tennis communities.

Accommodation and Activities Combine your tennis sessions with a stay at luxurious resorts like the Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur or the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. These hotels often feature private tennis courts and offer personalized coaching sessions. Off the court, India’s rich cultural tapestry awaits – from the majestic Taj Mahal and the historic forts of Rajasthan to the serene backwaters of Kerala.

Sri Lanka: Island Paradise for Tennis Lovers

Tennis Facilities Sri Lanka’s scenic beauty makes it a unique destination for a tennis holiday. The island’s premier tennis venues include the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo and the tennis courts at luxury resorts like the Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa. These facilities provide professional coaching and well-maintained courts amidst stunning natural surroundings.

Accommodation and Activities Stay at top-tier resorts such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort or the Ceylon Tea Trails. These accommodations offer not only tennis courts but also opportunities to unwind in luxurious settings. Beyond tennis, Sri Lanka offers whale watching in Mirissa, exploring ancient temples in Kandy, and relaxing on pristine beaches.

Making the Most of Your Tennis Holiday

Planning Tips

Book in Advance: Tennis holidays can be popular, especially during peak seasons. Booking your accommodation and tennis sessions in advance ensures you get the best facilities and trainers.

Cultural Excursions: Balance your time on the court with cultural and recreational activities to make the most of your trip.

Health and Fitness: Prepare for your tennis holiday by maintaining your fitness level. Hydration and proper gear, including appropriate tennis shoes and attire, are essential for an enjoyable experience.

Conclusion A tennis holiday in China, India, or Sri Lanka offers a perfect blend of sport, luxury, and cultural immersion. Whether you’re looking to improve your game, enjoy world-class facilities, or explore some of the most captivating destinations in Asia, these countries provide the ideal backdrop for an unforgettable tennis vacation. Pack your racket, book your trip, and get ready to discover the best tennis holidays Asia has to offer!

[historyhermann]

Birdie Wing: Golf Girls' Story Season 2 Spoiler-Filled Review [Part 1]

Birdie Wing: Golf Girls' Story is an original (wild) golf anime directed by Takayuki Inagaki, with Yōsuke Kuroda as the series writer. The series is produced by Bandai Namco Pictures, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Filmworks. The first cour/season of Birdie Wing aired from April to June 2022, and the second season/cour aired from April 2023 to June 2023.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the thirty-eighth article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on July 2, 2023.

The first season of this off-the-wall anime centered on Eve (voiced by Kito Akari), a spunky teenage girl from the slums of Nafrece who illegally golfs for money, and a rich Japanese girl named Aoi Amawashi (voiced by Asami Seto), who matches her determination and skill. That season showed that this anime is more than a sports story, which are common these days, with wild underground golf games against organized crime bosses obsessed with solving issues through golf.

Diversity is central to Birdie Wing. Heavy issues like undocumented immigration, corrupt urban renewal, political corruption, and racial injustice are brought to the forefront. Unsurprisingly, yuri subtext is abound in this anime, primarily between Eve and Aoi, especially during their golf games against one another, or together.

The second season picks up where the first one left off, with magical girl-esque golf drives by Eve and Aoi, and continued ridiculousness. This series is more mature than many Western animations. It is even more intense and relatable than the previous season, with Eve remaining at a prestigious Japanese golf academy in the first part of the season. It does this while flaunting rules of the sports genre, mixed with well-placed comedic moments.

Surely, there are terrible women in Birdie Wing, but others are more relatable. In many ways, this series makes the elitist sport of golf interesting to watch. The series goes above and beyond other sports anime focused on girls. The plot and characters remain compelling. The talented crew and cast allow the series to excel. This season went a different direction than I had anticipated in my season one review: that Aoi would lose her privileges, that Eve would become a subservient golf supersoldier doing the bidding of the golf-obsessed Mafia, and that Eve would remain in Japan.

In fact, Aoi never lost her life of privilege while Eve did not remain in Japan. It is heavily implied that she has romantic feelings toward Aoi and vice versa. The first few episodes of the second season show Aoi making mistakes. But Eve did not kiss her since promised to only do so if Aoi did well. On the other hand, Eve's repressed memories began to come back when she did one of her golf power moves, revealing her true identity.

Unlike season one of Birdie Wing, the physical toll of playing golf, at this intense level, is a major theme. At the beginning of the season, Aoi gets a headache and her playing suffers, with Eve filling in for her. Aoi collapses because of the stress she is under. Predictably, Eve declares she will "kill" her opponents in golf. Otherwise, there is a connection between the condition of Aoi's father, and her condition, with the latter a result of overwork.

I liked how the series seemed to imply that Eve and Aoi were half-sisters, then demolished this idea with an absurdly complex web of relationships between the show's characters. It turns out that Leo Millafoden (voiced by Shūichi Ikeda) taught Eve golf at request of Eve's real father, Kazuhika Hodoka (voiced by Kousuke Toriumi). The latter was in a relationship with Eleanor Burton (voiced by Yuko Minaguchi). He later married Aoi's mother, Seira Amawashi (voiced by Yūko Kaida), after she was pregnant with a baby from another man: Reiya Amuro (voiced by Tōru Furuya). Reiya later became a coach of the golf academy which Aoi and Eve attended.

In an intriguing twist, it is revealed that Eve doesn't remember her past because of amnesia. A cruise liner crashed, killing her mother and father, and countless others. When she woke up from the accident, she didn't remember anything, not even her name. So, there wasn't any human experimentation, as I had thought before. Instead, she grew up in the slums. Klein Clare (voiced by Sayaka Kinoshita), Lily Lipman (voiced by Akira Sekine), and others in Nafrece take her in and raise her.

The arc in the first few episodes of Birdie Wing's season 2, with Aoi and Eve playing together, ends abruptly. Seira incorrectly believes that Eve is "bad news". She plans to expel Eve from the country, in an effort to "protect" Aoi, in a decision based on faulty information "proving" Eve is tied to the Mafia. The "deportation" of Eve, as some fans termed it online, results. She is pressured to quit school, kidnapped, and brought to an airport, then told to leave Japan "or else".

The definition of deportation in U.S. law is simple. It refers to the removal of a foreigner from a country. In legal terms, such foreigners have a presence which is "deemed inconsistent with the public welfare and without any punishment...imposed or contemplated". In contrast, expulsion is removal of a person or people, by a governmental act/dictate/declaration, from a territory against their will. A successful expulsion is a deportation.

Eve wasn't pushed out of Japan by a government official or agency. As such, it is either forced migration, forced displacement, or forced relocation. Even those terms don't fit, since the latter applies to people persecuted for one reason or another. On the other hand, what happened to Eve is likely is a form of displacement, which can be caused by conflicts, disasters, development, criminal organizations, political entities, and conflicts.

Moreover, it is accurate to say Eve was displaced, but not deported, as no government official forced her on a plane. Eve left the country of her own free will, although the driver threatened her with violence. This analysis is further confirmed by looking at definitions of "deportation," "expulsion," "immigration," "immigrant," "emigrant," "emigration," "alien," and "illegal alien" in the Third Pocket Edition of Black's Law Dictionary which I have on hand.

By these definitions, Eve would be an "alien", and technically an "illegal alien". She has a passport, but a fraudulent one. It is, ultimately, questionable whether she was deported or expelled, as there isn't enough evidence to say definitively that she was compelled to leave.

Eve's return to Nafrece results in a big reunion. She meets Vipere (voiced by Kaori Nazuka), who she calls the "snake lady", along with her partner-of-sorts, and visits her parents' grave. In a possible commentary on reality of the golf world, she gets sponsored by the Burton family, thanks to former pro golfer Alan Harvey (voiced by Shigeru Ushiyama), allowing her to achieve her goals. She uses her golf skills to destroy her opponents and re-firm support of the Burtons, which may have Mafia connections, in her.

The self-made and ever-changing golf course of Mafia boss Catherine (voiced by Umeka Shouji) reappears with gusto, in a callback to the first season of Birdie Wing. In order to win against Catherine's golfer, Remelda (voiced by Marina Inoue), and possible lover, the caddy of Eve, Ichina Saotome (voiced by Saki Fujita) joins her. In a leap of faith, she even quits school, at the request of Eve, so that she can offer the best advice possible. The savvy well-versed and knowledgeable caddy of Aoi, Amane Shinjō (voiced by Ami Koshimizu) does the same, in a parallel to Ichina's actions.

In many ways, Ichina brings realism to the situation. She realizes the danger in going against Catherine, through her golfer, Remelda, on a golf course that uses an absurd amount of power and energy. Even a hydroelectric dam overflows so the course can move with incredible speed. Ichina is rightly terrified after Catherine threatens Eve with a gun. She puts her hands up in fear. Eve is used to her life being in danger and easily shrugs off the threat. At first, Ichina seems like one of the only people in this series who is above the absurdity. As such, she doesn't recognize what Eve sees: that the course is a place filled with "money and greed". Nor can she could she ever do golf shots which have a ball skip across the water to get to its target!

Eve's victories are paralleled by what Aoi was doing, although there are entire episodes of Birdie Wing's season 2 where Aoi barely appeared! I liked that Aoi had her skill on the decline when Eve isn't there, but builds herself back up. The connection between Eve and Aoi remains, even if they aren't directly talking to one another.

Time and again, Eve doesn't waste any time deeming women as "bellissime", including Remelda, who she plays during the second season, and likely others as well. She even didn't mind when Ichina seemed to have a crush on her, with Ichina declaring that she'd be Eve's caddy "for life". She may have even have some feelings for Aisha Khambatta, who faces Eve later in the second season. Assisted by Leo, Aisha is a person that Eve describes as "incredibly dangerous".

The focus on found and chosen family is a big part of Birdie Wing's story, especially for Eve. Once back in Nafrece, she happily greets Klein, Lilly, and their adopted daughters. Thanks to the actions by Vipere, in season one, they all have legal status in Nafrece! As for Aoi, she has a chosen family as well, represented by assistance from her father, and her loyal caddy, Amane.

Although Seira later supports Aoi, she outs herself as a terrible parent when Aoi travels to a contest where plays Eve, and perhaps golf, for the "last" time. She forced/strong armed Amane to becoming the caddy of Aoi in the first place! Later, Amane decides to stay with Aoi, as her caddy. She does so even though she is no longer forced to do so, as an act of her own free will, indicating her power as a character. She may even have a crush, to some extent, on Aoi.

Birdie Wing is even more compelling when Aoi does her own golf power moves. She calls them Shining Shots, like Eve with her "rainbow bullet", "blue bullet", and so on. The absurdity of Aoi winning because of rain, over her opponent, Shikishima, in a game the announcer declares will go down in Japanese women's golf history, says more about the series than anything else.

The final episodes of the second season push Aoi and Eve to the brink, but especially Eve. She begins to suffer from the physical demands of golf, more than ever before, especially after she does her rainbow burst, combining the styles of Leo and her father. This is the "terrible price" she plays for this form of golf. This makes clear that neither Eve nor Aoi are invincible. They are as fallible as the rest of us, even if they don't want to show "weakness" on camera.

This reminded me of similar themes in Carmen Sandiego. Although Carmen appears to have strength and energy to do everything, this is only based on her own training. She has a terrible wipe out in the episode "The Stockholm Syndrome Caper". It causes her almost life-threatening injuries that she has to recover from. Kim Possible in the series of the same name is similar. She is a cheerleader and uses her skills to fight villains and "save" the world. She is not invincible either.

More than any other character in Birdie Wing, apart from Aoi, Eve is a lesbian icon. She only has eyes for other girls and never for any men, whatsoever. Not even Sumire Heanna in Love Live! Superstar!!, Mari Ohara in Love Live! Sunshine!!, or Nijika Ijichi in Bocchi the Rock! compare to Eve, in the slightest.

Eve might only be rivaled by badass huntress Yang Xiao Long in RWBY. Yang can go super saiyan if she wants and is deeply in love with catgirl Blake Belladonna. Hime Shiraki in Yuri Is My Job! or Anisphia "Anis" Wynn Palettia in The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady are other "rivals".

The final episodes of Birdie Wing's second season are some of the strongest. Eve's body can't sustain the pressure from her intense golf. She even gets acupuncture from Allen Harvey so she can use her Rainbow Burst without grievously hurting herself. Aoi perfects her golf and apologizes for letting everyone down.

The various health issues Aoi experiences don't stop her. She suffers from an awful genetic disease (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex). There are nice montages of both engaged in physical training to make their bodies stronger. They prepare for their match at the Bandai Namaco British Women's Open the following year.

It is powerful for the final episodes of Birdie Wing to center a Black woman, Juha Hamilail (voiced by Yuu Asakawa). She previously had been hinted in the show's opening sequence. In the next-to-last episode, she comes into her own. She plans to take the British Open for herself, putting her face-to-face with Eve and Aoi. Eve expresses the annoyance of yuri fans who may see Juha as a hindrance and believe Juha should get out of the way.

On the one hand, it seems strange, and possibly racially tinged, that the obstacle which impedes the protagonists is represented by a Black woman. Even so, she is not an evil character. Rather, she is out for herself. She believes that the unexpected always happens in golf, making it fun. She expressed this directly in the 24th episode, to her caddy, Karen Lapana (voiced by Shizuka Itou). Juha is a strong and gorgeous final boss, of sorts, making the series that much more dramatic.

The latter is similar to how Aoi feels. She enjoys playing golf with Eve, even though she can barely hold it together. This fallibility is clear when she collapses in the same episode, causing Even to shake her and cry. Not long after, she falls once again. She asks a higher power to give her one more chance to fulfill her promise to Eve.

The role of the two other caddies, Amane and Ichina, come to a fore in the next-to-last episode. For instance, Ichina gives Eve advice on how to get birdies and keep pace with Aoi. Amane helps prop up Aoi, who is faltering. Eve and Aoi express their feelings, in their own way, to another, seeing the golf skills each of them can do. This is something that Juha recognizes, remaining jealous that each of them has a rival which drives them to improve.

Birdie Wing, is, as well-known yuri reviewer Erica Friedman put it, "the shounest anime about women's sports ever made". As such, Eve, Aoi, nor none of the other characters goes the route of golf shown in The Phantom of the Open, or in various other golf manga and anime over the years. There are so many of the latter that "Golf in anime and manga" is a Wikipedia category!

The final episode shows Friedman to be right. Even after Aoi collapses and is taken off the field, Juha keeps swinging her golf clubs. Eve, for her part, openly defends Aoi. Eve visits Aoi in the hospital. To make this even more absurd, she declares their game is still on even though Aoi isn't actively playing her! One of the best parts of the episode is the surprise twist: Aoi cuts her hair and serves as Eve's caddy. Even though they don't win, thanks to sneaky and corrupt shenanigans by Karen, they still go out with a bang. Eve even uses Aoi's golf clubs. She has a new golf move, which combines her skills with Aoi's golf strike. It is named the Shining Rainbow Burst. Of course, her human body can't take all the strain and Juha ends up winning.

In more ways than one, Karen acts like a Karen: she slyly leaks to the media. She received the damning information, from Remelda, "proving" that Eve has Mafia connections. Although this rumor is false (as Eve no longer has such connections), it leads to an investigation. Her professional license is suspended for three years by the golf association! Juha shows a bit of a backbone, for the first time. She doesn't approve of these slimy tactics against Eve. Strangely, she doesn't fire Karen. She lets Karen be her caddy for the rest of the game. After all, she didn't even a bat an eye, and kept playing at full speed after Aoi collapsed. Unsurprisingly, neither Karen nor Remelda face any consequences for their actions.

The final episode of Birdie Wing ends strongly. In the first time skip, set three years later, Eve begins training with her caddy, Ichina, at a golf course in Japan. This happens after Ichina says she won't be a caddy for anyone else because she is Eve's personal caddy. Then, there is yet another time skip, with Eve and Aoi finally facing one another during a golf tournament. It appears that the affliction Aoi suffered from is cured and their scores are close. There is even a great scene showing all of Eve's sisters, from her adopted family, all grown up, and are now teens. The series closes positively, with Eve doing her Rainbow Bullet golf strike and viewers can see the bullet going through the sky, as the credits continue to roll.

[continued in part 2. Tumblr wouldn't let me post the whole review on here as one post, for some reason]

© 2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

[naplesgolfguy]

New Price! $100,000 price reduction on this stunning Corsica Coach home in Talis Park. A 1st-floor “Messina” Model that lives like a single-family home. BRIGHT and LIGHT, this Southern exposure home overlooks a serene lake on one of THE BEST LOTS in Corsica.

Move right into this spacious 2023 coach home that was just completed and features high ceilings and is LOADED WITH UPGRADES including engineered hardwood floors and tile throughout as well as custom lighting.

A CHEF’s DREAM KITCHEN with a Gas stove, oversized kitchen island, extended upper kitchen cabinets, built-in fridge, wine cooler, and walk-in pantry is at the heart of this open floor plan concept. The lanai includes an OUTDOOR KITCHEN and GAS GRILL!

Greg Norman and Pete Dye designed Talis Park’s AWARD WINNING golf course. In addition to golf, those with a golf membership will enjoy world-class practice facilities including a full grass driving range, chipping and putting area.

All residents can access multiple dining options, clubhouse, Har-Tru tennis courts, Pickleball courts, bocce ball, fitness center, full-service spa, basketball court, dog park, walking trails, and private beach shuttle to Vanderbilt Beach.

Matt Klinowski aka Naples Golf Guy | Downing Frye Realty Here's to living the good life in paradise, Matt

[thewarriorspecial]

Greenhill High (CH1 - Dream Job)

*Archive Edition* Previously only linked to AO3, full work now available under the cut.

Read on AO3

Rating: Teen | Guy Gardner/Kyle Rayner, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Dinah Lance, Oliver Queen, Wally West, Katma Tui

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - High School, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

A little something special for @hobicat!

Kyle Rayner just landed his dream job. He's the new Art Instructor at the brand new Greenhill High. His boss takes him around the campus and he meets one of the other faculty members.

Kyle’s grateful for the time Principal Lance has taken out of her day to show him around the enormous campus and help him get acclimated. For a small suburb outside of Star City, Greenhill boasted an enormous campus at its high school. 

He had felt trepidatious the day of his interview as he parked his Camry in the visitors lot located between a nine-hole golf course and a domed football stadium. Much like a luxury apartment complex, he had to be buzzed in by a security guard. When the big double doors opened, he entered a foyer that looked more like it belonged in a concert hall. The next set of doors were flanked by a box office and the guard station. When Kyle opened that second set of doors and saw the two million dollar theater he was floored. 

“Wow,” he breathed, looking at the ornate auditorium; still as striking as the first time he had seen it.

“Mr. Queen personally oversaw every detail. In a lot of ways, this is his school. That theater is his baby,” Principal Lance says proudly.

“Some kind of investment project?” Kyle asks, a bit suspicious.

“He’s invested in the students and their futures. We’ve lost a lot of small schools outside of the city. Some classrooms are cramming as many as sixty kids to a room. We’ve got room for them all here.” Principal Lance pauses, sharp eyes sweeping the gorgeous theater. A small group of students are following a middle aged instructor as he explains the complicated system of pulleys that control the movement of the curtains. “We’ll catch up with Mr. J’onzz during his office hours. Follow me.”

Kyle follows his new boss through the wide hallways, peeking into the large classrooms. Some are fairly spartan; rows of tables and seats, overhead projector, long stretches of dry erase boards. Other rooms are well stocked, colorful, inviting. It looks more like a private college than a public high school. 

“The uh, library is kinda small,” Kyle remarks. Principal Lance turns to the room with its short shelves and colorful carpets. The far corner is full of smiling, brightly colored stuffed animals. 

“Oh, that’s our Early Childhood Development center. Mr Harper brings children from elementary schools and even orphanages here for story time and puppet shows.”

“That’s really cool!” 

“I think you’ll be really happy here, Mr. Rayner.”

“You can call me Kyle.”

“I do insist on the formality. It helps the students build character,” Principal Lance smiles.

“Oh, right. Yes, ma’am.”

“Speaking of the events for our students, there is someone I’m excited to introduce you to. You’ll be working with Coach Gardner to develop your Art Therapy program.”

Kyle’s eyes widen and his heart soars. This must be a dream. “I’m sorry, Coach Gardner?”

“That’s right. Our football coach has a background in psychology. His experience and insights with individuals with behavioral support needs has been invaluable.”

“Oh, that’s awesome,” Kyle lies. He pictures some meathead jock trying to tell him what to do. He’s awash with memories of fistfights, stolen lunches, and slurs. 

They round the next corner and head down a long hallway. At the end, a set of large glass doors lets s good amount of sunlight in and Kyle can smell fresh cut grass. A blue sign on the wall indicates the locker room to the left and stadium seating to the right. Principal Lance’s cell phone rings. 

“Excuse me, Mr. Rayner I have to take this. Coach Gardner’s office is at the back of the locker room. Are you comfortable introducing yourself?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“So sorry, I’ll be just a moment.” Principal Lance ducks into one of the classrooms to answer her phone, leaving Kyle to stew. He looks down at his feet and sighs. He’s not the smallest sixth grader anymore and this guy has his job to think about too. Maybe he’s nice. Probably dumb, but everyone here has been really nice and focused on the kids so far. The job posting said Batchelor’s required but Master’s preferred so maybe he was one of those rare smart jocks. 

Kyle steels himself and pushes the door to the locker room open. No time like the present. As he enters, he hears two muffled voices and he stops. 

“Well, I don’t wanna freak ya out comma but, when ya let a cut like this go for tew long, ya actually can’t get stitches. So we’re gonna patch ya up. If ‘at bleedin’ don’t stop, we gotta take yew to a real hospital, okay?” a grown man’s voice speaks softly with an odd accent.

“I can’t,” says a child’s voice.

“Was’wrong? Scared? I’ll go with yew.”

“No, you don’t understand.”

“Wha’don’t I understan’, buddy? Yew know yew can tell me an’thin.” Kyle cringes. Is this guy trying to talk around a jawbreaker?

“They’re gonna ask questions, Guy. If I say too much, they’ll figure it out.” 

Kyle peers around the lockers. A stocky, thirty-something redhead is kneeling in front of a lanky young boy—maybe fifteen. A bloodstained towel rests on the bench where the boy is sitting. The redhead is cutting a length of gauze and wrapping it around the boy’s bloody knuckles. 

“Aw, you an’ Bobby been friends your whole lives,” Kyle parses out the man’s words around the accent, “He’s the smallest kid in your class. It’s not surprise you’d stick up for him.”

“Dad’s a cop. He’s gonna figure it out,” The boy shakes his head, “I can’t hide it from him forever. And I’m—I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of fighting.”

“It’s a fight worth winning,” Guy says as he finishes taping the gauze down.

“You met him. You know how he is. What am I gonna do when he turns on me? What do I do when he finds out?”

Guy’s sky blue eyes snap up to meet the boy’s, his expression stern, “You come get me. No matter what happens, Tommy, you will always have me. And I know all too well how much it hurts to get the holy hell beat out of you by someone you love.” 

Tommy nods as he tests out his wrapped hand. “Alright.”

Guy pats the boy’s knee and stands up. “Let’s get you to Math on time today. If your grade goes any further down the shitter you’re gonna get pulled off the team.”

“But—”

“No buts. Go see Mr. Stewart about Calculus, he’ll get you straight.”

Tommy smiles, and that makes Guy smile.

“With Math. Now go on. We’ll see you at practice.”

Tommy jumps up from the bench and throws his arms around his Coach, “Thank you.”

Guy gives the boy a good squeeze, patting his shoulder, “Anytime, buddy.” 

The boy grabs his backpack and dashes out of the locker room.

Kyle waits a moment before stepping out and clearing his throat, “Hi, um, are you Coach Gardner?”

“The one and only,” the redhead crows as he spins around. He’s got a smile that lights up the whole room and Kyle is floored by the clear blue of his eyes. He grabs Kyle’s hand with one of his big paws and gives it a firm shake. Kyle feels dizzy. “And you’re…” Guy prompts, still wearing his friendly grin.

“Oh, uh,” Kyle can’t believe he has to think about his own name, “Kyle. Rayner. Mr. Rayner, I guess,” Kyle’s laugh sounds as awkward as it feels and he feels fifteen again; small and lost and stupid.

“I guess that makes me Guy, and you Kyle, and us partners then.”

“Sure,” Kyle smiles, “Partners.”

[mint-moon25]

Grant Avenue - Flower Drum Song

Long Line - for - Employee

Runners - Better - Location

Bayfront Park

Their Kids - Running - Cute

1 male looks Thai American

As usual - Alone

Their Loss

Greeks - Today

Kids 4 Work

Not allowed Art & Running

Greece - Land - Dying

Real Greek - awarded by

Ancient Greek King

Alexander

Greatest Awards for

Runners

2nd Greatest - Art

Their Urns - Greek Art

Sculptors - Plates Vases

Kids awarded

Runners - Artists

Hallmark

Today - Old Grandpas

Despise - Mixed Breed

Athens - My Roots

'Wonder Woman'

Berlin Germany

Kid - Me - Fast Mountain

Runner - Record - Fast

Based - American Film

Blonde - couldn't beat

Her dog in running

Became School Track

Running Champ

Walking 2 Gov't Center

Restrooms

Brickell - McDonald's

Bus 7 - goes 2 Biscayne Blvd

Skipping - Dolphin Mall then

Checking - Amazon Delivery

Getting - $21.38 - Gift Card

Soon - Staying here

Brickell - Downtown Miami

Jesus is Lord - Korea KR

Today - Miami - Brags

They're Employed

Running miles

Strong Americans

Red Coach 2 Naples

Most Beautiful City of

The USA - SW Florida

Near Gulf of Mexico

Over 19,000 people

Original Jolly England

Golf Capital of World

Mint & Moon

Official Sport -Golf

2nd - Aikido Japan

Show of Skill

Not against ea other

3rd - Wushu - China

Team USA

Headquarters - Snow

Carmel - Indiana

Team - Carmel

Team - Naples

Competes 2b Official

Team USA - vs - ours

Team Hong Kong Island

'Winner takes All'

Each Member - Winner

Diamond Tear bottom of

Diamond Necklace - Gold

Wins Gold

Each Member - Gets

$500 Billion - x 5

Tax Paid

Bouquet of Flowers

Small Diamond Trophies

Major - 3 Large Diamond

Official Trophies

One on Display

$500 Billion per year for

Display - Tax Paid

Photographs of Team

Mint & Moon

Naples FL

Headquarters

Carmel Indiana

April Snow

Carmel - LLC

Zen Business

Registered Agent

Our Future Better than

Miami FL - Oppressive

Pit - Ugly - Violent USA

Jesus is Lord - Korea KR

[bongaboi]

Ole Miss: 2025 Gator Bowl Champions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- — Jaxson Dart's final college pass was a 69-yard touchdown that got him chewed out by coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline.

It's one the quarterback will never forget.

Dart threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns in his final start for Ole Miss, leading the 16th-ranked Rebels to a 52-20 romp over Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night.

Dart connected with Jordan Watkins seven times for 180 yards and two scores, including the longest pass play of the night with 1:27 to play. Kiffin ripped him for it afterward.

“I love him except for the last play when he checks to a pass play he’s not supposed to do,” Kiffin said. “He's got to learn a little better class there.”

Dart added 43 yards rushing, leaving EverBank Stadium with grass and dirt stains all over his red and white uniform.

The senior never considered opting out of the bowl game. Instead, he helped the Rebels (10-3) make history. With the victory, Ole Miss notched double-digit wins in consecutive years for the second time in program history and the first since 1959-60.

“This place changed my life," Dart said. "It was the best decision that I made. Just the relationships that I built with everybody here will last a lifetime.”

Ulysses Bentley IV, another senior playing his last college game, ran for 70 yards and two scores for the Rebels. Isaiah Hamilton returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter. All of them got to celebrate with sideline dunks on a portable basketball hoop adorned with Duke logos.

This ACC-SEC postseason matchup was never close. It wasn’t expected to be, either. Ole Miss was a 17 1/2-point favorite, according to , mostly because the Blue Devils (9-4) were without quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas. Both entered the transfer portal after Duke’s regular-season finale.

Third-year sophomore Henry Belin IV made his second career start and was harassed all night. Belin completed 25 of 44 passes for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and the interception. He was sacked three times.

Belin’s TD passes were two of the team's few highlights. Sahmir Hagans' 99-yard kickoff return — off a cross-field lateral, no less — was another.

One of Ole Miss’ few miscues came when Kiffin called for a trick play on fourth down. Kicker Caden Davis’ pass got picked off in the end zone, and Dart took nearly every snap the rest of the way.

“I think the thing that jumped out today is a special quarterback who played special," Duke coach Manny Diaz said.

The takeaway

Duke: The Blue Devils won't put too much stock into the loss, not with Belin getting a rare start and more offensive help on the way.

Ole Miss: The Rebels had most of their starters play in the bowl, a testament to how they feel about Dart and Kiffin. CB Jadon Canady and RT Micah Pettus, both starters, entered the transfer portal. And LB and leading tackler Chris Paul Jr. opted out to prepare for the draft process.

Key injuries

Duke cornerback Terry Moore, who intercepted the kicker’s pass on the trick play, left the game in the first half and ended up in the locker room. Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker injured his right knee on an extra point in the second period and was helped off the field.

Chewed-up field

The field at EverBank Stadium was far from pristine. The center section of grass was mostly chewed up, looking more like a community sandlot than the bright-green sod that usually seems pulled from a resort golf course. The Jaguars hosted Tennessee in an NFL game four days earlier, leaving little time to get the turf in its best shape. Overnight temperatures in the 40s didn’t help regrowth, either.

Up next

Duke awaits the arrival of former Tulane QB Darian Mensah, who will reportedly get $8 million in NIL funding over two years to play for the Blue Devils.

Ole Miss will turn to highly touted left-handed QB Austin Simmons, a redshirt freshman from Miami. Simmons enrolled two years early and spent the last two seasons watching and learning from Dart.

[i-edu0services]

C Byregowda Institute of Technology: Nurturing Future Engineers and Innovators

C Byregowda Institute of Technology (CBIT), located in Kolar, Karnataka, is a prestigious group acknowledged for turning in splendid technical education. Established in 2009 below the steering of the C Byregowda Educational and Cultural Trust, C Byregowda Institute of Technology is dedicated to empowering college students with the information, skills, and values wanted for expert excellence and societal contribution.

Academic Offerings:

CBIT offers quite some undergraduate and postgraduate packages in engineering, generation, and management. Key undergraduate publications include:

Computer Science and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Electronics and Communication Engineering

Information Science and Engineering

Postgraduate packages, together with M.Tech and MBA, offer possibilities for superior knowledge of and specialization in essential regions of generation and management.

The institute`s curriculum is designed to align with enterprise developments and technological advancements. With a sturdy attention to hands-on knowledge of and problem-solving, CBIT guarantees that scholars are organized to fulfill the demanding situations of a hastily converting expert landscape.

Infrastructure and Facilities:

CBIT`s contemporary-day campus affords super surroundings for gaining knowledge of and private growth. Key centers include:

Well-Equipped Classrooms: Spacious, tech-enabled school rooms that foster interactive gaining knowledge.

Advanced Laboratories: State-of-the-art labs prepared for sensible experiments and innovation.

Central Library: A complete library with a substantial series of books, journals, and virtual resources.

High-Speed Internet: Campus-huge net connectivity for studies and collaboration.

Seminar Halls: Dedicated areas for workshops, visitor lectures, and events.

In addition to educational infrastructure, the campus consists of hostels, a cafeteria, and leisure regions to ensure college students` consolation and well-being.

Dedicated Faculty Team:

CBIT boasts a group of skilled and tremendously certified college individuals who are enthusiastic about coaching and mentoring. The college now no longer best can provide theoretical information however additionally emphasizes sensible utility and innovation. Regular visitor lectures, enterprise professional sessions, and alumni interactions increase the knowledge of experience.

Holistic Development Approach:

CBIT believes in holistic development, going past lecturers to nurture well-rounded individuals. The institute encourages participation in:

Technical Competitions: Workshops, hackathons, and coding demanding situations.

Cultural Events: Annual fests, skills shows, and celebrations to exhibit creativity.

Sports Activities: Facilities for indoor and outdoor sports activities to sell bodily fitness.

Student Clubs: Various golf equipment centered on generation, arts, entrepreneurship, and management.

These sports foster teamwork, verbal exchange skills, and management qualities, critical for achievement in expert and private life.

Research and Innovation:

CBIT is a hub for studies and innovation. The institute promotes a lifestyle of inquiry, encouraging college students and colleges to paint on initiatives that cope with real global demanding situations. Research labs and investment aid are to be had for progressive initiatives, and college students are regularly recommended to give their paintings at meetings and submit them in journals.

Placement Support:

CBIT`s devoted placement mobileular works tirelessly to put together college students for successful careers. Activities include:

Pre-Placement Training: Soft skills, aptitude, and interview preparation.

Internship Opportunities: Tie-ups with organizations for enterprise exposure.

Campus Recruitment: A sturdy community of recruiters, along with pinnacle organizations like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, and Capgemini.

CBIT`s placement document highlights its dedication to generating enterprise-equipped professionals.

Community Involvement:

CBIT is equally committed to contributing to society. The institute organizes initiatives such as 

Skill development workshops for rural youth. 

Blood donation and health camps.

Environmental awareness campaigns.

These activities reflect CBIT's commitment to inculcate social responsibility among its students.

Why choose CBIT?

C Byregowda Institute of Technology excels in:

Comprehensive Training: Industry-focused curriculum complemented by practical learning.

Modern Campus: Modern facilities for learning, research, and leisure.

Placement Success: High employability rate and good industry linkages.

Holistic Growth: Focus on personal and professional development.

Supportive Environment: A community-focused approach that encourages innovation and social responsibility.

Conclusion:

C Byregowda Institute of Technology is more than just an educational institution. It is a stepping stone for aspiring engineers and business executives. CBIT combines academic rigor, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a focus on holistic growth to help students succeed in their careers and contribute significantly to society.

If you are looking for an institution that prioritizes your growth and success, CBIT is the place to be. Become a member of CBIT and take the first step towards building a brighter future!

[optus-realty]

Discover the Unique Lifestyle at Emaar The Palm Springs Sector 54 Gurgaon

Gurgaon has come a long way from being just another district in Haryana. In the ’90s, things started to change when DLF launched its first project, and multinational companies began opening offices here. Soon, the city evolved into India’s first Cyber City, Gurugram, and became a hub for real estate.

Today, Gurgaon is filled with countless real estate projects. However, with so many options, it can be hard to decide where to invest. That’s why Optus Reality has jotted down all USP’s of one of the hot-selling projects, ‘Emaar The Palm Springs Sector 54 Gurgaon.’ This blog will highlight all the special features of this project that make it demanding among property buyers.

1. Prime Location Advantage Emaar The Palm Springs is located at the prime location in Gurgaon. It’s right off DLF Golf Course Road. This location makes it easier for residents to commute to top schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and entertainment hubs. Whether it’s a quick drive to work or a weekend outing, everything you need is nearby.  For Instance, if your child studies in Gurgaon’s top school, Pathway International IB school, it will fall just within an 8 km radius. Similarly, if your office is on Sohna Road, reaching there will be a cakewalk. 

2. Architectural Brilliance and Thoughtful Design The apartments at Emaar The Palm Springs are spacious, offering options in 3 BHK, 4 BHK, and 5 BHK. The design maximizes open spaces and brings in plenty of natural light through full-height windows. Every detail has been planned to create a comfortable, elegant living space. So, your building won't be just your address. Instead, it will be a statement. Like DLF, Emaar also enjoys a great reputation among property owners. 

3. World-Class Amenities The amenities here are designed to enhance your everyday life. There’s a beautifully landscaped garden, a modern clubhouse, swimming pools, a gym, tennis and badminton courts, and a play area for children. Residents also have access to a multi-purpose hall, indoor games, and reliable power backup. Everything you need to relax or have fun is right here. These amenities not only make life enjoyable but can open a new window of avenues for your children. You can hire a personal trainer who can come and train you in society. Or you can call a tennis coach who can coach your child in front of your eyes. 

4. Unmatched Safety and Security As the city has experienced a fast growth, the crime rate in the city has gone up. Loot, robbery, rapes and fights are common in NCR now. Emaar understands this well. Therefore, safety is a top priority. Emaar The Palm Springs provides round-the-clock security, with guards at entry and exit points and video surveillance throughout. The property also has a well-planned fire safety system, with sprinklers and fire hydrants to protect residents.

5. Superior Connectivity and Transportation Having a personal car is a must in Gurgaon. Unfortunately, the public transportation system is not that strong in the city. Residents are either dependent on personal cars or hired taxis. Thankfully, staying in Emaar means staying well-connected. The project is close to both Sikanderpur and HUDA City Centre Metro stations, making commutes easier. Major roads like Gurgaon-Faridabad Road are also within easy reach. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is just 16 km away, making travel convenient.

6. Sustainability and Smart Features People want to lead a sustainable life. They are becoming responsible for the environment. The same goes with builders like Emaar. Emaar has built this project with sustainability in mind. There’s a rainwater harvesting system, energy-efficient lighting, and a central chiller HVAC for better energy use. The building management system ties everything together, from fire alarms to HVAC controls, ensuring smooth operations.

Why Optus Reality? At Optus Reality, we are here to guide you through your real estate decisions. With expert advice and a personalized approach, we simplify the process of exploring high-end properties like Emaar MGF The Palm Springs. Our property consultants help clients every step of the way.

As per us, Emaar The Palm Springs Sector 54 Gurgaon is more than just a place to live. It’s a lifestyle defined by comfort, elegance, and convenience. If you’re thinking of making a move, get in touch with Optus Reality for more details.

Ready to take the first step? Let’s make it happen.

[the-magnolia-a]

Student-Friendly Apartment Complex in Auburn

The Magnolia at Auburn is the top choice for a student-friendly apartment complex in Auburn. This is a student-focused apartment complex, chic apartments with per-person leases, private bathrooms, hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry, and high-speed internet. This apartment has free on-site parking, a shuttle bus service to the campus, a 24-hour fitness center, courts for basketball and volleyball, a community clubhouse with TVs and gaming areas, a theater room, a business center with printing, private study spaces, a pet-friendly dog park, 24-hour management, and community courtesy patrols are all features of the community. If you're interested in this kind of student apartment, you should apply immediately to guarantee your spot. The Magnolia at Auburn is a great place to set goals in a well-rounded lifestyle. For a nice apartment complex in Auburn, call Magnolia at Auburn at  (334) 326-1460.

Auburn, AL - Activities to Enjoy

I love Auburn because of many reasons. Auburn has a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. In fact, these outdoor places include six golf courses such as the Robert Trent Jones Grand National golf course. Besides this, visitors can enjoy the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Plus, they can have fun at the dance, theater, and music programs. They can also visit the local restaurants, the Donald-E Davis Arboretum, and over 16 local parks. Some of these parks are my favorite, like the Chewacla State Park, which offers 696-acre hiking and 30 miles of biking trails. Auburn is growing and changing, but the warmth and small-town feel that make Auburn special will always be appreciated.

Jordan-Hare Stadium

The Jordan-Hare Stadium is the nation's 11th-largest stadium that's on-campus. As for the record, this stadium has a capacity of 88,043. This is a very historical place because a lot of activities have been played here. This stadium served as the home of the Auburn Tigers ever since 1939. When it comes to football, Jordan-Hare Stadium becomes Alabama's fifth-largest city. In fact, there are over 75,000 season tickets sold to Auburn. The legendary coach Pat Dye has also had his name forever attached to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Dye, served as the head coach and athletics director at Auburn way back 1981 to 1992 and inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame just around 19 years ago. In December 2005, Auburn led a 99-39-4 record and four SEC Championships during his 12 seasons on the Plains.

Faculty Members from Auburn Included in the Honor

It's really inspiring that two Harbert College of Business faculty members have been awarded the 2024 Auburn University President's Awards for their leadership roles in two significant campus programs. The first award was for Distinguished Faculty Leadership, with Kerry Inger, a Harbert advisory council professor with the School of Accountancy, and N. Hari Narayanan, the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering/Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, receiving the joint award. Also, the Executive Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program was recognized for the Outstanding Collaborative Units Award. Inger served in a leadership role for a team that developed the Auburn University Strategic Plan 2035: Grounded & Groundbreaking, a 10-year strategic roadmap that will lead Auburn over the next decade.

Link to map

Jordan-Hare Stadium 251 S Donahue Dr, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States Head south on S Donahue Dr toward Heisman Dr 1.2 mi Slight right toward AL-15 S/S College St 180 ft Slight right onto AL-15 S/S College St 1.0 mi Turn right onto W Longleaf Dr 0.2 mi Turn left to stay on W Longleaf Dr 0.1 mi Turn left Destination will be on the left 108 ft The Magnolia at Auburn 211 W Longleaf Dr, Auburn, AL 36832, United States

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