Panic Mode: OKC (and everyone who picked them)

Who’s panicking more: SGA or all of golf twitter who told me Oakmont was hard? Benedict Mathurin stuns the Thunder like JJ Spaun stuns Oakmont. We wrote a couple weeks ago how the NBA playoffs were starting to look more and more like the MLB. Mathurin pulled off a classic 3-4, HR, 2B, 4RBI night from a 7 hole hitter. Remember, Tommy Edman won NLCS MVP honors last year.

At time of writing:

- Shane Lowry, +9

- Justin Rose, +7

- Patrick Cantlay, +6

- Bryson, +3

- Si Woo, -2

Y’all ever been Nebraska? Me neither. Do you like baseball and College? Keep reading. It’s College World Series time, and the Boys are headed to Omaha (75th anniversary edition). Let’s set the stage:

Teams (8):

- Arizona, UCLA, Coastal Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, Oregon State, Louisville, Murray State

Of those, the Traditional Powers: LSU, Arkansas, UCLA, Arizona

Recent Strong Programs: Oregon State, Louisville

Cinderella: Coastal Carolina, Murray State

Best Mascot: Chanticleers - Coastal Carolina

Best Uniform: expect to see pinstripes, but my personal fav is the away Bruins look from UCLA.

Young Mashers:

- Aiva Arquette (Oregon State): possible Numero Uno pick in July’s draft. A 6’5’’ shortstop. Slick. Every Little League has an Aiva Arquette and this dude is going all the way to the Show.

- Wehiwa Aloy (Arkansas): another likely 1st rounder, another addition to the All-Name team, colloquially known as Big Metal. This SS takes viciuos hacks and popped 20 dingers on the year.

- Jared Jones (LSU): 6’4’’ 250lbs right handed first baseman. Do I need to say more?

Arm Factory:

- Kade Anderson (LSU): 163k’s in 100 innings. Big Velo. Described as having wicked stuff and sure to come off the draft board in the top 10.

- Jacob Morrison (Coastal): He’s 11-0 on the year. That means he’s never lost. Very important to making it this far.

Naming Rights - A large population of this newsletter is in the Child Rearing phase of life. If you want your son to reach his Max Potential, give him a strong name. Here’s the best from Omaha:

- Roch Cholowsky, UCLA (sick)

- Wilson Weber, OSU (named for a tennis brand and a grill)

- Zion Rose, Louisville

- Dom Decker, Murray State

- Adonys Guzman, Arizona

For a better appreciation of this event, tune into the 10min short film linked below. Until Friday, immediately go to Dick’s Sporting Goods, pick up a metal bat, and carry it around the house for a week. You’ll start to get the feels too.

We’re entering Special Territory. If you’re heading to East Lothian, North Berwick would be a great place to stay and make your Hub. It’s namesake golf course is a Must Play (and enjoyed by many, many American Tourists). Let’s not hold that against it. It’s truly a special course for a number of reasons.

Inspect the image above. Hold the phone close to your face. That’s one entire 90yd long green with a deep chasm running across and severe moguls alongside. While the name Biarritz green comes from a different course, it’s believed this template was the original. KMARK ran his second up into the moguls, but I believe got up and down for par.

Quirk is one word people use for North Berwick. On 13, you’ll have to play over an ancient stone wall into a narrow green. But Quirk doesn’t capture half the fun you have at this course. It’s architecturally distinguished. Home to the Biarittz and the famous Redan par 3. Most holes play with ocean views including the stellar #1. 18 is very, very similar to that at St. Andrews. Lose your t-shot right and you’ll owe someone a new windshield.

What makes North Berwick? Rarely will you play the same shot consecutively. The prevailing wind is down on the back 9 as you head for home. The town crouches over the beginning and end of the course. The beach is stellar and I recommend duck hooking (if you’re lefty) your drive on 2 to go see it. I think Berwick captures all of East Lothian golf into one course. You’ll encounter wind, town, beach, walls, perfect greens, short 4’s, long 4’s, people, caddies, clubhouse. There isn’t an inch it won’t scratch. I will never, ever go back to East Lothian and omit this course from my list.