Internet Agony

The revolution of the invention of the Internet has brought great knowledge to everyone who has ever attempted to use the world wide web.

Who needs and encyclopedia when all you have to do is Google it and your answer is instantaneous.

Sporting events which are not carried on TV have game trackers where you can watch pitch-by- pitch in baseball or play-by-play in football.

I have during his career at Elon watched many games on Gametracker of Terrell Hudgins and Elon since none of Elon's games are on TV.

But let me tell you, a sport where the Internet has yet to give you information the second it happens.

Golf

If you are a regular reader of my blog, last weekend I told you of my cousin Lauren Doughtie.

Lauren is my second cousin. Her dad Mike Doughtie is my first cousin. Mike's parents died rather early in his life, so even though I am a cousin we are like brothers. In fact, Lauren calls me Uncle Tony.

Lauren this weekend is playing golf for N.C. State in the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Knoxville, Tn.

This past Friday, I had to return home to Ahoskie for a funeral of a brother-in-law's mother.

While I'm in the press box just before we went on the air, Brooks calls me to tell me Lauren is tied for the lead after the first day of play.

I had forgotten all about her playing since we were away all day, plus we had to hurry to make sure we were back for the Northern Nash game.

She shot 4-under 68, which is her best score ever plus it tied N.C State's all-time low score for women's golf.

Saturday, I went down town to the Down East Festival and when I got home, I pulled up the scores and she struggled to a 1-over par 73 and was tied for fourth.

In college golf, they start at both the No. 1 and No. 10 tees ands her tee time was at 11.15 a.m. That is perfect for me to get home from church and follow her entire final round.

If you have never had the pleasure of watching golf on Gametracker, let me tell you what you better be prepared to do. Unless you plan to watch a non-moving screen for four hours, be prepared to read a book, or in my case, go watch the Panthers play.

1.05 p.m. - The first three holes appear on her scorecard. She birdied the first hole and parred two and three. She's two shots out of the lead.

I go to watch the Panthers and quickly you can tell this is not the Panthers' day. I switched to the Indy game - not much better. Let's go back to the computer and play Spider Solitaire.

1:55 p.m. - Holes No. 4, 5 and 6 appear on her card. She parred all three. But one of the other girls is 3-under on the day and Lauren trails by three shots.

In college golf, the players scores are fed into the computer every three holes. What I wish they had were cameras attached to the heads of every player. Then you'd just click on the player of your choice and watch what she sees as she is doing it.

2.40 p.m. - Hole No. 7 appears a bogey she is now down by four. Holes No. 8 and 9 are parred are she makes the turn four shots back.

3.05 p.m. - Hole No. 10 is a par 5 where Lauren cans an eagle 3 - she's now jut two back. No. 11 is parred and she birdied No. 12 to pull within one shot.

Now is when the pacing begins. Go check on the Panthers. They are getting killed and I go pace back and forth in front of the computer.

One problem with Gametracker is you don't know how far off the actually scoring was done.

It is 4.30 p.m. before the next set of scores pops up. Lauren bogeyed No. 14 to drop to 2-under on the day and is two shots off the lead.

As Lauren finishes No. 15, she and the girl in the lead by two are in the same group. One other girl at 5-under that is tied with Lauren for second has already finished her round. Lauren knows exactly where she stands.

Everyone knows except me sitting home how her shot-by-shot is going. Five o'clock comes and no final scores. I have now gotten my five miles of walking in all within five feet of my computer.

I did go to the kitchen to get more drink and watched former Northern Nash star and current Arizona Cardinal J.J. Arrington return the opening kickoff back for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

I have read the Telegram Online and the News and Observer's website, still the scores are not in.

5.05 p.m. - Scores are in. Hole No. 16 a birdie, No. 17 a par - up by one looking at the score at No. 18 where Lauren also gets a birdie .. 4-under par for the day, 7 under for the tournament. I am so proud of her.

But is there a playoff?

I leave Lauren's individual page to go to to the leaderboard and THERE it is - the name Lauren Doughtie on top of the page. The girl that was in the lead double bogeyed the last hole and Lauren has won by two shots.

My cell phone becomes instance news for grandma, and Brooks calls. There will be joy in Mudville tonight, I called and left Lauren a message.

Her phone is deep in her golf bag and I know the celebrating is on.

Congratulations Lauren.... A champion tonight!