Fat Guy's Corner 07/24/08

Shark attack
What do you have to do to win a PGA major? A good guess would be to hit some nice drives, good chip shots and drain putts. Well, the Fat Guy says just injure yourself before the golf tournament starts.

What? Take a look at the last two majors in golf. Tiger Woods has a bum knee and wins the U.S. Open title. Padraig Harrington supposedly has a bad wrist and his chances are 50/50 whether he plays in the British Open or not. Padraig not only played, but won the British Open for the second consecutive year. He became Europe’s first player in a century to accomplish back-to-back wins in the British Open.

Padraig had to fight off the “Shark” Greg Norman in the final round. The Shark actually had a one-shot lead heading into the back nine. Anyone who has followed Norman’s career knows he doesn’t have the best of luck in PGA majors. And, he had no luck in this major either. Maybe it was the 40-mph gusts of wind or nerves, but he folded up and lost to Harrington. The Shark has nothing to be ashamed of, because no one expected him to be in contention at this year’s British Open.

However, Norman could have used the dough. He owes his ex-wife $103 million. Ouch! I hope Chrissy Evert is worth it. I sure hope Harrington’s wrist is okay! To all of you golfers who want to win, do yourself a favor and injure something before the tourney.

Stepping on toes
Jason Taylor dances his way to the Washington Redskins. Bill Parcells just couldn’t accept the fact the Taylor was dancing on television while the rest of the team was preparing for the upcoming football season. Taylor, the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year and six-time Pro Bowl player, will take his 30-year-old body to Washington.

The Redskins only gave up a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth round pick in 2010. In a nutshell, Bill Parcells gave Jason Taylor away to prove no man is bigger than the team. Hopefully big Jake Long, who was drafted by the Dolphins, isn’t a dancer. The “Tuna” will not allow two-stepping in Miami.

Hoof beats
Last Sunday, I went to the new race track in Detroit. Pinnacle Race Course offers thoroughbred horse racing. Thoroughbred horse racing hasn’t been in the Detroit area for more than a decade. I am here to tell you this new track is absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend all of you to get down there and enjoy a night of horse racing this summer.

The facility is not totally done yet, but will be completed in 2009. The inside grandstand is fabulous and so are the outside areas. If you love horse racing, it’s a must-see. If you haven’t been to the track before, then you should take in the great atmosphere of horse racing. The new track is located on I-275 just south of I-94. Take the New Boston/Sibley exit, turn left and then turn left on Vining. Make your reservations. Live racing takes place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday afternoons.

Training wheels
It’s hard to believe the NFL training camps are about to take place. What will the Lions do this season? Lions fans, remember the Lions have opened up practice to the fans again this season. If you want to see how an NFL team prepares for their season, take a trip to Allen Park. Just don’t ask Matt Millen for his autograph; it’s worth nothing. Can Hot Rod Marinelli capture the Roar of Detroit in 2008? I doubt it, but we can only hope. I can be reached at thefatguy@viewnewspapers.net.