Week Off For Most

Most every one has the week off as they prepare for conference play that starts next week.  We already made this pick a couple weeks back.

RMA 5-0 at Parrott Academy 2-2:  I worry it has been a month since the Eagles have put on the pads against any one else.  They will have rust everywhere while Parrott has already played a meaty schedule already.  I think Eagles are better despite layoff RMA 38 Parrott 28

Rocky Mount Prep 2-3 at SouthEast Halifax 2-2:  This one is possible for the Jags. I doubt they win on the road. SE Halifax 26 RM Prep 24

North East Carolina a Prep 0-5 at Pamlico 0-5:  Here's a game I doubt there will be any TV stations covering this one unless they need to get some football coverage for Friday night.  Pamlico 27 NEC Prep 20.

There is one thing about college sports that when ever a player comes along and plays for us then we claim him as ours for the rest of their life. Every now and then one comes along who changes the world and since he crossed our state he is one of us. Arnold Palmer went to Wake Forest when the college was actually in Wake Forest.  Sunday night the golfer who transform professional golf from the rich man's game to  every man's game died at the age of 87.

He came along for golf just when TV was a baby and needed some type of sports for the weekends.  Palmer was a go for broke player that when the TV camera came on he charged up every one sitting home and golf has never left TV. In  fact as Palmer approached 50 the Seniors Tour was born just so the TV world would still be able to watch Arnold Palmer.

Heard this as all the Sports channels having been talking Palmer for most of the week and this will explain why Arnold Palmer became Arnold Palmer.  Andy North who was walking with Palmer's  senior group while playing on the senior tour had a second shot over water into a par five in which Palmer had no chance to make it over the water.  He went for it any way and of course hit it in the water.  While walking towards the water North asked Palmer why he even  tried such a  shot.  Palmer's reply "The fans didn't come to see me lay up"

Like all athletes age wins out and another great golfer came along named  Jack Nicklaus to replace him on the golf  tour but because Palmer had a vision Palmer went into golf design, TV ads, and he never forgot where he came from.  A couple of years ago on the golf channel it was reported that Palmer wrote a personal note back to everyone that had ever written to him ask for a picture or autograph even if they failed to send him a stamp they got their request. Palmer spent of his own money 125,000 dollars a year on postage to fans.

Even today he is in the top ten in money making at the age of 87.  Just two years ago when I had the privilege to go to the practice round at the Masters I was able to get about 20 feet of him as he sat on the veranda and I felt like I was near royalty.

Tiger Woods had a chance to replace him as the most  impactful golfer ever but his off the course values have sent him into obscurity.  The world has lost a great embassador. Golf has lost the most impactful person in the history of golf.  The state of North Carolina has lost a piece of their pride.  We all lost Arnold Palmer THE KING!