The Masters and more...

It's late on a Thursday, but knocking out some thoughts that have rattled in my brain for a bit. Here goes...

• What an amazing first round leaderboard at The Masters. The ageless veterans like Fred Couples (age 50, opening round 66), Tom Watson (age 60, opening round 67), with the stars of today like Phil Mickelson (67), K.J. Choi (67), PGA Champ Y.E. Yang (67), Ian Poulter (68), and of course Tiger Woods (68). I have to admit, it was nice watching Tiger play, and not have to think about all the turmoil that surrounds him. The galleries at Augusta were supportive and kind, which is expected there. I don't know how other tournaments will view him down the road, but for now, Augusta is his safe-haven. Seeing Couples and Watson go low on day one was stirring stuff. Their best days on the PGA Tour long behind them, they managed to conjure up those old familiar feelings and paint a masterpiece of golf. The odds are against them holding it together for 72 holes, but think back to the British Open last year, when Watson was flawless for 71 holes. Had he managed to come home with a par at the last, he would have taken home the Claret Jug, and made believers of us all. What other stories will unfold amongst the pines and azaleas? I can't wait to find out.
• The Charlotte Bobcats are going to the playoffs. Couple points of irony in that. First, the Bobcats ended up clinching the spot against the New Orleans Hornets, a.k.a. the artists formerly known as the Charlotte Hornets. Second, Raymond Felton, the one guy that has made the playoff predictions virtually every year he's been with the team, was the guy that knocked down the game icing free throws, rendering the buzzer-beating 3-pointer moot. As of this writing, the Bobcats hold the 7th spot, which would mean a match-up with the Orlando Magic. However, 4 games are left to play, and with a little help, the Bobcats could reach the #6 seed, and a meeting with Boston (if they hold the #3 seed). I'm not sure which match-up I would want to see, given the Magic are so versatile, and the Celtics have simply crushed the Bobcats on a couple of occasions. Still, there will be NBA Basketball in Charlotte beyond April 14th, and that, is a good thing.
• The Charlotte Checkers playoff series returns to the Queen City on Friday night for game 3 of their best-of-five against the Toledo Walleye. Charlotte was thumped 7-2 in their opener, but returned the thumping, 6-1, in game two. The series is going at least 4, and my guess is it ends in 4, with the Checkers holding home ice advantage. All of the remaining games are slated for Time Warner Cable Arena.
• Speaking of hockey, congrats to the city of Raleigh, and the Carolina Hurricanes on being awarded the 2011 NHL All Star Game. A fun weekend of events with the Skills competition on Saturday, then the showcase game on Sunday. Mark your calendars for Jan. 29-30, and do what you can to get in to see it. Admittedly, All-Star games in general are fairly pointless, but with hockey, you will see the speed and grace of the players at full song. Don't bother looking for defense--you won't find any. You will see high speed action, and goaltenders looking for support payments from their defensemen. It's fun.
• Charlotte 49er coaching search appears to be stalled at the moment. Thoughts were the 49ers would have some announcement on a new Head Coach by this past Tuesday. As we hit Friday, no word from the school. Jeff Goodman of foxsports.com saying via his Twitter page on Thursday that Ohio State's Alan Major & Russ Springmann of Texas are in the running. Will have to wait this one out, but the program can't go much longer in finding Bobby Lutz's replacement. UNC-Wilmington's search has surpassed 70 days, much too long if they want to have a shot in the recruiting game.

Will blog back at you next week. Enjoy the weekend, and The Masters! I know I will!

Mike Solarte

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