The FAU Owls couldn’t get it right when they were shut out 20-0 by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to open up their new on-campus stadium on Oct. 15.

But the Owls had a second chance for another first in their new home. The Arkansas State University (ASU) Red Wolves were the first opponent in FAU’s inaugural Homecoming Game. The results were encouraging. With 10:55 left in the first half, the Owls were -13 yards in total offense.

But that was before running back Alfred Morris got his hands on the football and ran for 39 yards, thus putting the Owls in the black in total offense.

Two plays later, the Owls capped off a four play, 71-yard drive as Morris would score a 13-yard touchdown as he tied Doug Parker with 25 total all-time, rushing and receiving. FAU trailed at this point 15-7.

With 2:49 left in the first half, the Owls put together a seven plays, 62-yard and 3:16 drive and cut ASU’s lead 18-14. Morris would cap this drive with a four-yard touchdown run as he broke Parker’s record with 26. Morris has 22 rushing and four receiving touchdowns.

In the second half, Morris picked up where he left off, as he had 33 yards on the Owls opening drive, which led to an FAU eight play drive that went 70-yards and lasted 4:36.

Quarterback Graham Wilbert connected with Derek Moise for an 18-yard touchdown. It was the first of Moise’s career. The Owls took a 21-18 lead, and this was the first FAU lead in the new stadium.

But that lead wouldn’t last long as ASU responded with a six plays, 40 yards and 2:18 drive that gave them a 25-21 lead. It was capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Aplin to Taylor Stockemer.

The Red Wolves scored 21 unanswered points to build a 38-21 lead by the 7:39 mark in the fourth quarter. Aplin had five touchdowns, four rushing and one passing. He threw for 244 yards.

Morris finished with 163 yards rushing, while Graham ended his night with 147 yards and two interceptions. FAU had four turnovers and committed nine penalties for 69 yards in the 39-21 loss. ASU out gained FAU in total yards 429-281 and first downs 28-15.

The Owls dropped to 0-8 and 6-5 in Homecoming Games. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 4-3.

When the game was over, Morris downplayed his personal accomplishments as he said, “This is bittersweet, but we wanted to win. As usual, we made a lot of mistakes. The film shows it. I don’t play for the accolades, but because I love the game. I don’t look at stats, just wins and losses.

“I take pride in blocking and take it serious because I don’t want them touching my other running back or quarterback. The positive part of this game is we showed we can move the ball.

“But I don’t want to be part of a win-less team. We have four chances to win a game. We’re not desperate for a win, but hungry for one. If I had the answers to this losing, I’d try to fix it.”

Coach Schnellenberger added, “Taking the lead in the third quarter was an accomplishment. This game was more disheartening because of the improvements you saw. I was a proud football coach and remain one. It’s tough trying to develop a football team that hasn’t won. What’s history is history. It’s a different type of development and we’ll continue to develop these players for the new coach.”

FAU’s next chance for a win is on Saturday night at 6 p.m. when it travels to Miami to face FIU in the Shula Bowl.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

Blanche Ely coach Rodney Gray said he may move on from coaching the Tigers at the end of the season. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely football coach Rodney Gray said he is likely leaving the school at the end of the season.

He recently handed in his letter of resignation at the school where he has gone 20-6 during the past two seasons and winning two district titles. In 2009, when he took over on an interim basis, Gray was named the Broward NIKE Coach of the Year after going 11-2 and reaching the regional finals, before falling to St. Thomas Aquinas 28-16.

“After working with other administrations around the county, I am losing the bug to coach,” said Gray, whose team dropped a 14-6 decision to host Boyd Anderson in a District 14-7A contest on Tuesday night. He has coached 18 years in the county. “My biggest quest is to find an administration that is going to support the athletic program and not try to run it like you are Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.

“I am saying that if the situation stays the way it is, I am not looking to return there,” Gray continued. “I do not want to leave Ely. If something changed there, I would be glad to go back there. I am looking for something that is conducive to winning from the athletic administration, school administration to community involvement as well.”

Deerfield Beach stays in hunt

Deerfield Beach kicker Oscar Rosales connected Tuesday night on a 26-yard field goal in the second overtime to give Deerfield Beach a 10-7 victory over Coral Springs in a game that was postponed twice on Oct. 28 and Oct. 31 because of weather.

The game was originally scheduled for Deerfield Beach; however, it was moved to Coral Springs because of scheduling conflicts.

Deerfield Beach (3-4, 3-1) took a 7-0 lead with five seconds remaining in the first half on a 13-yard scoring pass from Kevin Bush to Tyrell McCall.

Coral Springs (6-2, 2-2) forced overtime with 9:46 remaining in the fourth quarter when Brandon Rodgers hauled in a 41-yard scoring pass from Evan Lassiter that tied the contest at 7-7. Both teams had field goals blocked in the first overtime.

Highlands wins two HGH scoring affairs

Highlands Christian Academy may be out of the playoffs. However, it is still making a statement on the field after blanking Berean Christian, 71-0, and Zion Lutheran, 35-0.

“We have evened up our record at 4-4 now, with our two final games being against Summit Christian and Somerset,” said Highlands coach Jordan Adair. “We’re disappointed to be out of the playoffs, but we’re working extremely hard to finish strong and close with a 6-4 record.”

Against Berean Christian, seven different players scored TDs, and nine different players carried the ball for a total of 284 yards rushing. Leading the way was Arelious Burns with 10 carries for 110 yards, 3 TDs. Quarterback Jay Mentecky was 4-4 for 79 yards and one TD. The 71 points was ninth all-time for points scored in Broward County and was a school record.

The game against Zion Lutheran was called at halftime due to lightning. Senior wideout Gabe Hantsbarger caught a scoring toss, despite breaking his hand earlier in the week and wearing a cast up to his elbow. Junior linebacker Rylee Hage had seven solo tackles, six assists, one tackle for loss, one forced Fumble and a pass breakup.

Ranse Classic II slated

The second annual $6,500 Ranse Classic Beach Volleyball/Footvolley Fundraiser Tournament will be held in Deerfield Beach on N. Ocean Boulevard from Nov. 11-13. Registration closes on Nov. 9 and spots are limited.

The Ranse Classic is an annual charity tournament to celebrate the life of local volleyball player and firefighter Ranse Jones, who passed away on Nov. 8, 2010. He suffered a brain aneurysm during the semifinal of the Panama City AVP Young Guns tournament in April 2010 and passed away six months later, the day after last year’s charity tournament concluded.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail RanseClassicCommittee@gmail.com. You can also call Andre Melo, 954-649-4667; John Esposito, 954-415-4678 or Marcelo Ramos, 954-608-7908.

Deerfield Beach’s James Muir rolls a strike during the recent Area Fall Classic Special Olympics bowling competition at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach’s James Muir surveys his shot and lets the bowling ball loose. As it rolls down the alley, he coaxes the shot with his body until the ball strikes the pins and nine fall.

He gives a thumbs-up sign and walks back to retrieve the ball from the return and lets the ball fly again. He knocks down the final pin and gets his spare as his parents, William “Sandy” and Susan, sitting behind him, exchange high fives with their son.

Muir, 21, was one of 900 athletes competing in the Area Fall Classic Special Olympics bowling competition recently at Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac.

“It’s great,” said Sandy Muir, a longtime high school basketball coach and guidance counselor, whose son has been in the Broward County Special Olympics for more than 10 years. “It is real beneficial for him. This is really our social life.”

James Muir has also been involved in basketball, swimming and golf. However, he likes basketball and bowling the most.

“I look at the pins,” said Muir, who is also a member of the Tamarac Bulldogs, special needs program. “I think about the approach with the ball in the middle and hit the pins straight.”

“This is a lot of fun,” he added. “It is good to bowl. It is important to get a good score and, to do that, you have to be professional. You have to concentrate.”

Muir’s father said his son enjoys the different social activities that the Bulldogs offer.

“He has always been pretty social,” the elder Muir said. “I think all of the activities are good for him. They have dances … arts and crafts, and this has really helped him because he has a whole network of friends.”

Sandy Muir said it is also a great opportunity for the parents to meet people who have the same interest that they do.

“It’s different because he is competitive and he wants to win, but it is not life and death,” said Sandy.

“While he is doing it, he’s competitive; but when’s he’s done, he’s done. He forgets all about it.”

James agreed: “I have made a lot of friends. I like the dances too. I dance with my girlfriend. I am going to keep doing this for 10 years.”

By Scott Morganroth

On Oct. 15, 2010, ground was broken on the new FAU stadium and, exactly one year later, the $70 million facility hosted the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as the start of a new era began in FAU Sports History.

Construction workers worked seven days a week, giving up their Sundays, to make Saturday’s opener a reality. This is the only stadium in the United States where you can see the Atlantic Ocean, only 2.1 miles away.

But the road to this beautiful venue saw Coach Howard Schnellenberger, Athletic Director Craig Angelos, former President Frank Brogan and his successor Dr. Mary Jane Saunders witness some lopsided defeats to some of the most heralded football programs in the country.

FAU took the guaranteed large payouts to Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Texas and USF.

There were four notable wins as FAU defeated Hawaii, Central Michigan, Memphis and Minnesota.

A year ago, the Michigan State Spartans were supposed to open up FAU Stadium, but that never materialized. FAU’s home game was moved to Ford Field as the Owls shared a home with the Detroit Lions. FAU lost this game, 30-17.

So instead of seeing the Spartans, Owls fans saw their team lose 0-20 to the Hilltoppers in front of 29,103 people. Score could have been worse for FAU if Western Kentucky would have converted three field goals and an extra point.

But these numbers tell the story!

FAU had only six first downs, 25 rushing and 121 total yards. More importantly, Owls fans will have to wait until Saturday against Middle Tennessee State to see the first points in the new stadium at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, No. 23 Michigan State defeated state rival No. 11 Michigan 28-14 in East Lansing, a place that wasn’t kind to the Owls earlier this year. The Spartans whitewashed FAU 44-0 on Sept. 10 in East Lansing.

When the contest was over, there was a huge sense of happiness and relief that the new on-campus stadium dream has become a reality.

By the same token, now that the opener is over, reality has set in that FAU is, currently, 0-6 and 0-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. Owls are in last place and know they have to start winning games.

Quarterback David Kooi said, “Our offense was shaky and we put no points on the board. We didn’t execute and just hurt ourselves. This was a great atmosphere and we didn’t get the job done. I just want to say I’m sorry to the fans.”

Running back Alfred Morris added, “I’m very disappointed and wanted it so bad. We just couldn’t get it together. This was a very exciting atmosphere. It was crazy. We’ll try to get them next time.”

Senior defensive back Marcus Bartels was in a somber mood when he said, “I never expected this. We feel like we let everybody down. I want to apologize to the fans.”

Coach Schnellenberger said,” I’ve never been in a situation like this before. We worked so hard and so long to make this stadium. We played badly on the offensive side of the ball. We expected to win this game, but, yet, played so poorly in front of dedicated fans. That’s what happened and I have to deal with that. I’m the coach and I have to do fix this situation.”

Former Owls QB Rusty Smith, now of the Tennessee Titans, came in town due to his teams bye week. On this day, the Owls could have used him in his old No.11 jersey.

But now, the stadium is open for business. The team has to focus on winning since there will be no more hype. It’s all business as the Owls hope to send Schnellenberger out on a respectable note with six games left in his 52-year coaching career.

Arelious Burns had 20 carries for 100 yards to lead the Knights in a 14-7 victory over visiting Coral Shores on Friday night. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy’s Gabe Hantsbarger hauled in a 27-yard scoring pass from Jay Mentecky with 18 seconds left to give the host Knights a 14-7 victory over Coral Shores on Friday night. Hantsbarger, who finished the night with three catches for 65 yards on the night, had his winning TD setup via a fourth down personal foul committed by Coral Shores.

“The downpour and wind made it very difficult to throw the ball,” said Highlands Christian Academy coach Jordan Adair. “Our O-Line and running game carried us for most of the game with Arelious Burns carrying the majority of the load.”

Burns had 20 carries for 100 yards to lead the Knights, who finished the game with 186 yards on 37 carries by its runners. Tyson Graham came in at running back on the Knights’ last drive and had two crucial runs, leading host Highlands (2-3) to its winning score.

“This was a big win for us,” said Adair, whose team won for the second consecutive week. “We keep some momentum heading into our game this week against Jupiter Christian.”

The Knights will tackle Jupiter Christian (5-1) on Friday at John I. Leonard.

Photo by Gary Curreri

Lions still winless

Zion Lutheran’s P.J. Boll-ing caught a 10-yard scoring pass from Austin Peaslee to avert the shutout in a 55-6 loss to Jupiter Christian. Zion fell to 0-3 for the year.

Bucks, Tigers to square off

Deerfield Beach (1-4), coming off their first victory of the season, will travel cross town to face Blanche Ely (4-1) on Friday night.

Pompano Beach will host winless Coral Glades on Thursday night.

Local Golf Association results

The team of Kathy Hart-mann, Betty Cullinan, Pat Zuckerman, Anna Vaccaro shot a 69 to win the Palm Aire Ladies Golf Association’s weekly scramble tournament on Oct. 4.

In the Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association, Bill Auxier shot a 67 to win the Class A Division in the Individual Low Net in Classes tourney on Oct. 5. Harry Jung shot a 68 to win the Class B Division, while John Kapoukakis shot a 68 (Class C) and Paul Dauzickas shot a 67 (Class D) to win their respective Divisions.

Janet Stuart, Lu Rispoli, Elaine Schoengood teamed for a 62 to win the One Best Ball of Threesome tournament on Oct. 4 in the Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association.

The Knights lift the sword after their victory over Coral Springs Christian. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Arelious Burns carried 18 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns to lift Highlands Christian to a 48-7 victory over visiting Coral Springs Christian School in the annual Battle for the Sword. This annual match-up dates back to 2002 when the Crusaders defeated the Knights, 43-27, in their inaugural game.

During the past nine years, the Crusaders had won six consecutive games, before the Knights reversed their fortune and won the sword the past four years in a row. The Knights suffered a difficult stretch from 2004-2006, losing all three games by one point: 29-28 (2004); 21-20 (2005) and 7-6 (2006).The Knights’ first win came in 2007 – ironically, with a one-point win 45-44.

“Winning four straight games against our rivals has been great,” said Highlands Christian Academy coach Jordan Adair. “I’m especially happy for our seniors, who were able to go through their entire high school careers without losing ‘The Sword.’

“We expect this win to propel us to a very successful second half of the season. We’ve struggled at the start, but we’ve played some tough competition with a lot of newcomers this year, and we knew it would take time for us to gel and build team chemistry. The difficult start has helped us to build character, and it will pay dividends down the line.”

A 24-yard punt return by Courtney Fowler set the Knights up in great field position its first TD, while Jay Mentecky tossed a 31-yard TD pass to Tyson Graham as time expired in first half to stake Highlands Christian to a 34-7 lead. Graham also added a 50-yard punt return, while Wilfred Hunter and Matt Elder each had interceptions.

Adair said the team has a huge contest coming up in two weeks against Jupiter Christian School.

“That game will decide our playoff fate,” said Adair, whose team is 1-2 in the District 7-2A race and 1-3 overall. “If we can build on last week’s win versus CSCA, we’ll have some momentum heading into that game.”

Bucks win first

Brandon Powell ran for 209 yards and two touchdowns as Deerfield Beach spoiled host Douglas’ homecoming, 21-0. Douglas only managed to gain two first-downs in the game and turned the ball over seven times with three fumbles and four interceptions in the District 11-8A win. The Bucks (1-4) earned their first win for new head coach Allen Jackson as they held the Eagles to just 46 yards of total offense for the contest. The defense forced three fumbles and four interceptions.

Tigers rally again

Blanche Ely rallied from a 14-9 halftime deficit as they scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Monarch, 37-14, in Deerfield Beach. It marked the second time in as many weeks where the Tigers (4-1, 2-0) came from behind to win.

Ely quarterback Alex Edwards threw for 87 yards and rushed for a touchdown, while Tyquan Fields passed for 80 yards and two scores. Devante Peete hauled in a 46-yard score and Darren Allen caught a touchdown pass and ran for another. The Tigers’ Robert Scott also rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown in the District 14-7A win.

Photo by David Volz

–By Rachel Galvin —

On Oct. 2, Dunn’s Run15th Annual Race kicked off from Deerfield Beach and back with thousands of participants, running or walking toward the finish line. Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The race has raised about $3 million for the organization through the years. Not only was this early morning (7:30 a.m.) race an opportunity for people to show their competitive spirit and beat their personal best, but also was a way to show support for the community. Many arrived to walk or run with their teams or individually. Some walked with their children or pushed them in strollers while enjoying the sunrise and the beautiful beach view. Congressman Allen West came all the way from Washington D.C. to partake in his tradition of running with the American flag through the streets of Deerfield. Even CRA director Keven Klopp came out to run for the first time this year.

Then there were the competitors, like Brian Dillard, who won the 5k in the men’s division, and Rachel Ginsberg, who won in the female division. The Deerfield Beach High Cross Country team had many runners compete this year and place. Awards were given for various age categories. For more results, visit www.splitsecondtiming.com.

In addition to all the running and walking, there was also much mingling and browsing through vendor booths. Panera bread came out to serve up some good eats and the band Atlas Shrugged performed.

Check ObserverTV to view race start

Click here for results from the 5k race

Click here for results from the 5 mile race

Ft. Lauderdale’s George Deeb, 70, runs the South Florida Senior Softball Club in Pompano Beach. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

For three days a week, members of the South Florida Senior Softball Club hit the diamond in Pompano Beach. There are no set teams and it is inexpensive. However, the competition can be fierce.

Ft. Lauderdale’s George Deeb, 70, runs the club, which is an offshoot of the club that started in Deerfield Beach in 1962. Deeb started the Pompano Beach-based club three years ago when Deerfield began renovating Pioneer Park.

“We started here three years ago when we were left with one field and over 100 men,” Deeb said. “The older men stayed up there, and the younger men came down here. We created an Over-50 club and that became South Florida Senior Softball two years ago,” he said.

It costs $35 a year. The members get shirts and hats, plus they will go out once every other month during the season when the snowbirds are down, and they will also host a Christmas Party. Games are played Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 9 a.m.

“I make up all of the teams and assign the players to the teams based on who is there that day,” Deeb said. “It is the best thing we have ever done. It is also good for the guys who just turned 50, so they don’t have to play with guys who are in their 20s.”

Deeb said there are retirees, as well as firemen, police officers and EMS workers who can play multiple days based on their schedules. Players come from as far away as Aventura and as far north as Delray Beach.

Normally, the games are played at 4-Fields complex, but have been at Kester Park in Pompano Beach after spending some time at Blanche Ely High School. They should move back to 4-Fields in a few weeks.

“I retired when I was 65, and I am 70 now,” said Deeb, who had a hip replacement last year. “Many of the members in our club play on national championship travel teams. The guys are terrific, and we have made a lot of friendships over the years.” The players range in age from 49 to 76, and the average age is in the mid-60s. Deeb said the mission statement is to provide seniors, like themselves, who are retired, or on the verge of retirement, an opportunity to come and play ball at their leisure with no pressure.

Ely continues to roll

Darren Allen completed seven of nine passes for two touchdowns and returned a punt 55 yards for a score as host Blanche Ely throttled Coconut Creek, 56-8, to run its record to 3-1.

Robert Scott hauled in a 40-yard score from Allen and added a 3-yard run for another Tigers’ score. Also scoring for Blanche Ely were Edensky Loremues, Jordan Fields, Adrian Burton and Avery Johnson. Alex Edwards threw for two scores, while John Belfort added seven extra point kicks.

Deerfield Beach’s Brandon Bejarano finishes 83rd in the 29th annual Spanish River Invitational Cross Country meet at South County Regional Park in West Boca Raton last Saturday. Bejarano ran a personal best 18:06.86 over the 3.1 mile course. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach High boys cross country coach Jerry Guthrie believes this could be the best team he has had in years.

“They are better than they have ever been to start the year, that’s for sure,” said Guthrie after his team finished 30th in the star-studded 29th annual Spanish River Invitational Cross Country meet at South County Regional Park in West Boca Raton last Saturday. “Our top guy (Brandon Bejarano) finished 83rd in this race, but he had a PR.”

Bejarano, a sophomore, whose previous best time was 18:20, ran 18:06.86 over the 3.1 mile course and has given Guthrie reason for optimism. The last time the Bucks boys’ cross country team reached states was in 2003.

“I think we have a good chance to go to state,” said Guthrie, who has coached the Bucks team since 2000. “I have already had coaches come up to me this year and tell me they think we have a good chance this year, given the way we started. I am looking for two to be in the 16s and three to be in the 17s and we will go to state. I am excited.”

In addition to Bejarano, the other boys’ finishers included Cleezy Andre, a junior (93rd overall, 18:14.58), sophomore Aaron Johnson (188th overall, 19:58.27),  junior Brian Johnson (201st overall, 20:28.99), junior Jourdin Andre (219th overall, 20:53.98), sophomore Perry Tony (226th overall, 21:00.85) and junior Ryan Lacava (241st overall, 21:33.69).

The Bucks finished with 758 points and it is something that was not lost on Guthrie and the team. They had higher expectations.

“It takes them down a peg and shows them they have a lot of work to do,” Guthrie said. “Even though we did well in our first race and we are going to do well in the county, they see, in order to go to state, they have to work harder. They are already talking about it. It is very good for them.

“I expected them all to do a PR and they all did except for one, and he doesn’t know what happened,” Guthrie added. “He’ll be back. He came in second in the first race we had and then he was second to last today, but you have bad days. He had sore legs and said he had nothing left.”

With no seniors in his top seven, Guthrie has high hopes for the squad.

“All of my kids are sophomores and juniors,” Guthrie said. “It bodes well for the next couple of years, and I think we will be there at the end of the season.”

Ely downs Taravella

Blanche Ely quarterback Darren Allen rallied his team from a 17-0 halftime deficit to defeat Taravella, 20-17, in a high school football game on Friday night. Allen completed 15 of 25 passes for 152 yards, threw two touchdowns and rushing for another. A 15-yard touchdown catch by Ely’s Jordan Fields with just under two minutes remaining was the deciding score.

Sean Smothers wins the Junior Golf Association of Broward County season-ending championship and the prestigious Julius Boros title, after finishing with a low stroke average of 74.25 for the summer. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Sean Smothers thought he could have shot a couple of strokes better here and there, but was happy with the way he played. As well he should be.

The Pompano Beach 15-year-old not only won the Junior Golf Association (JGA) of Broward County season-ending championship, but also captured the prestigious Julius Boros title after finishing with a low stroke average of 74.25 for the summer. It was his third tournament title of the summer.

“I just wanted to start off and make sure I kept myself in the tournament,” said Smothers, a Cardinal Gibbons High School junior, who is also a member of the school’s golf team. “It just gives me experience and how to deal with pressure spots. I will learn from what I did here. If I got myself in trouble, I came back after it.”

Smothers, who carded a 75-73-75-223 to win the tournament, has played in the Junior Golf Association of Broward County for the past five years.

“I look forward to Mondays a lot,” said Smothers, of the Monday outings when the JGA of Broward is played. “It is just a time to play golf and spend time with your friends. You get to play tough courses and you get good competition.”

Smothers said the summer tour helped him stay sharp for the high school season and hopes the Chiefs will be competitive in the districts when they finished fourth and narrowly missed advancing farther in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state series. He said they added two new players to the squad and that should help.

“This is great because there is good competition and you have to play solid to win it,” Smothers said. “I just try and play the course and, however I do, I do. If I start to play the opponents, that’s when I tend to mess up.”

Smothers also liked playing on the top courses in Broward County during the JGA of Broward.

“It is great,” Smothers said. “It seems like you have a huge advantage, even when you won’t be able to get on courses to play.”