I Don't Want To Look And Not Touch--Uh Play

     What a beautiful day it is outside today.  That doesn't do me any good though. I am kind of bummed out today in that I was supposed to begin my course assistant training and the pro was unable to set it up with the assistant who was supposed to train me.  Never mind that I have "marshaled" for a very long time on a golf course, but today was especially cruel. It wasn't the wires being crossed that had me upset, I can get over that quickly.  What really made me sad was here I was at the golf course on a beautiful day with a well manicured and beautiful course in front of me, and I couldn't play.
      You should have seen the magnificent closely cut green fairways shining very greenly in the sun.  You could see the line of the rough.  My heart sank lower than a putt that was drained from sixty feet. I want to play golf, darn it.  I can't, and I don't know when I can.
       This once every three month thing is really starting to have a both physical and mental effect on me. I am tired of going into my office, blog about golf and then look on FaceBook at all the golf posts. Is this the penance that I must accept after teasing all those who live on the East Coast about not being able to play golf in January with snow on the ground when it was in the sixties here in California and the golf courses were full and the weather was on the warm side? I'm sorry, I truly am but I guess I am being disciplined by the almighty for being so calloused.
       The golf season has started to heat up on the East Coast and people are playing. I know this, I see it on FaceBook. Here I am stuck in my office having to read all this and accept it. I won't even say anything about what is happening here on the West Coast where courses are in the best of shape especially after the greens being aerated. Come on now, this isn't fair.  Does the punishment fit the crime?
      I ask you, how can I be freed from this ordeal? Tell me O Fred of Ohio and Ye Brad of New York.  What must I do to end this punishment and burden? I don't have to worry about Mark because he lives in Arizona or Rich because he lives in South Carolina and has been playing all year. Those of you in the north and on the East Coast, forgive me and free me from my prison sentence. Have mercy on me. I want to play golf again and I want to play a lot of it.

I wanna play golf again and soon.

You Are OK In My Book Paige Spiranac

     Who doesn't know who Paige Spiranac is?  If you are not a golfer or live somewhere in the deepest part of the Sahara Desert you probably don't.  She is an incredibly beautiful woman and has graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in communications I believe. Her collegiate golf credentials are outstanding.  Right now the spotlight is on her and now is the time to take advantage of that. The question is how long will that spotlight be on.  I encourage her to make the best of the opportunity while she can. My advice is for her to go for it as much as she can and grab all she can while it is there to grab.
       She has been criticized in many places as being just another pretty face.  The fact that she is a great looking gal and she is capitalizing on her looks is a hot topic these days. Hey, if the door of opportunity is open, why not walk through it.  Many have said that what she is doing is "sexist" and is not the image of women's golf that needs to be portrayed.  That may be true, but is that wrong?  One important thing that she is doing is keeping the discussion going and that discussion is very much centered around golf.
       OK, I admit it.  I watch the LPGA on television.  These ladies can play some golf. Excuse me but if I am watching TV, I would much rather watch Lexi Thompsen swing a golf club and play in a tournament than say Boo Weekly. On the flip side of that, my wife would rather watch Jordan Speith or Rory rather than watch any LPGA action.  Sorry people, but there is no comparison.  I may take a lot of flak for that, but that is just the way it is. The ladies on the LPGA just happen to be very pretty women as well as great golfers. Their golf speaks for them and not just their looks. Can I help that? Did I say that Paige Spiranac is an incredibly beautiful woman?
       Paige Spiranac has not accomplished much as of yet in the world of golf.  Let's give her a break, she is only 22. She has a degree in communication from San Diego State.  What is she doing?  She's communicating, and doing a bangup job of it as well. Paige has taken social media by storm and is using it, quite shrewdly I might add.  Should we criticize her for that?  I don't think so.  This is America and we can still make a buck here. Her goal is to play on the LPGA tour, but even she admits that she isn't ready for that. Even if she doesn't achieve that goal I consider her successful. We don't know what she will do if she does not reach that goal.  My guess is that she will be extremely successful. Did I also say that Paige Spiranac is an incredibly beautiful woman?  Oh, I guess I did.
        Paige Spiranac has been called an innovator in the game of golf. I wouldn't call her that.  I would call her very good at taking social media and very effectively use that media. I don't think it has hurt golf. Keep up the good work Paige and make hay while the sun shines.  I'm very proud of you.

Did you see who just walked by?  Was it Paige Spiranac?  I don't know, was it?

The Jordan Flows--Uh Plays--Slowly

      I am a huge Jordan Speith fan.  He is one of the exciting young guns of the sport of golf and brings a new interest to golf from fans of the game.  It seems as though his future, along with the other young guns such as Rory and Ricky will be bright and full of tour victories.  I have one problem with Jordan Speith however.  He needs to speed it up a little. The bottom line is, he plays much too slowly.
     Golf is the last true sport.  Players get payed for how they perform and win prize money.  They don't get paid for just showing up.  If they perform well, they get paid.  Should they not do well, they go home with nothing for a week's work. I get that, and you want to be deliberate about what you do on the course playing for as much money as the pros do.You have to be "on" all the time.  That does not mean that a snail can beat you in a footrace before you get the next shot off.  Hit the shot or putt for crying out loud. It is almost painful to watch how slow Speith plays.
      The professional game is a lot different than the game we play at our local muni.  It is still pretty much the same as to how it is played and the rules, but at the local muni you are not putting for a million dollars.  With that amount of money and the prestige of winning a golf tournament on the line, it sort of changes things a bit. You have to be very clear about the shot and what you are going to do.  But, does it have to take so long to execute? I can't find the exact quote but I think it is from Lee Trevino. You can miss a one foot putt for birdie just as easily in ten seconds as you can in sixty seconds.  Will you just take the shot, please?  I have a cake in the oven.
      Let's face it folks, we have a big problem in this game of golf called slow play.  The average golfer likes to emulate the pros. When the pros play slow, guess what.  The average player wants to be just like them.  If you see it on TV, it must be OK to do. Excuse me fellow average golfer.  Is that putt for bogey really going to make the world stop spinning if you miss it? Is Mt. Shasta--I say Mt. Shasta because I live in California--going to erupt if you hit that drive into the woods because you tried to hurry the game along?  I don't think so.  Hit the ball, will ya'.
      I love you Jordan Speith.  You have set the golf world on fire, but will you take some of that fire and build it under your feet and play faster? That cake I have in the oven is almost done.

Let's step up and hit the ball, shall we?  

   

But, How Did You Play?

      Something I recently ran across the other day caused me to stop and think.  I realize that can be a dangerous thing, but I do stop to contemplate something that is said or written or that I see quite often. I read it on FaceBook as part of the stories told about the late Manuel de la Torre and can't find the exact context of the statement, if he said it to his son or a player.  I'm not sure his father said it to him, but the quote is profound and something to stop and think about with some concepts that reach deeply into golf.
      After a competition a player came back excited about his low score in a match.  The player naturally shared the score with de la Torre. Supposedly, de la Torre's response was something to the effect of "That's what you scored, but how did you play?"  Think about that statement, and it may be a paraphrase or incorrect quote but the concept will make you think.
      I think that we have become too focused on scores. I will admit the object of the game is to play the number of holes in the least strokes possible but there is more to the game than that.  Score is a measurable and comparable quantity that doesn't say much other than how many.  It doesn't answer the question how.  It doesn't answer why, who, what or when either. There is more to it than just a number. In some cases, that number is not exactly accurate anyway.  Are you listening Mr.Helicopter Volcano? Yes, score is important but it is not the only thing that makes up the game of golf.
     You are on a golf course for on average four and a half hours. This is a time to enjoy what you are doing, not focusing on how many strokes it takes to put the ball in the hole.  There is so much more out there as far as how you play and not just how many.  What is happening out there to you? Is your swing working?  What changes should you make in your drives, second shots or short game?  Where are you hitting the ball off the tee. How are you putting?  These are all questions based on the technical aspect of the game.
     Did you honor and respect the traditions of the game while you were playing? Did you play at a good pace and not hold anyone up? Did you count all of your strokes? That probably didn't apply with the golfer in the de la Torre quote, but it is important to all of us.Were you a distraction to other golfers in your group? Did you take time to notice the surroundings? A golf course is a beautiful place. Were you courteous and friendly to your opponent and compete in the spirit of the game? I think the most important quest should be did you have fun?  We forget that one a lot, don't we?  
      There is more to this wonderful game we play than just a number. The number of strokes is just that, a number.  We use that number to compare and quantify.  Golf is an experience and a game.  It is not just a number.  Rest in peace Manuel de la Torre and you are very right.  We should not ask the question what did you shoot, but how did you play.

Golf is more than just a score.  Make sure to experience the fun and beauty.

   













    

Come Alongside And Mentor

      I am sure that the average person that has just taken up the game of golf is pretty much overwhelmed. There is so much to learn and master not only in the actual playing of the game but those things that go along with the game that we who have played the game for a long time don't even think about. So many questions swirl about in the heads of the new player that it is tempting to just say the heck with it, there is just too much.  What do we as experienced players do?  What about coming alongside of the new golfer and guide them though all the complexities.  In essence, mentor the newbie.
     The American College Dictionary defines mentor as "a wise and trusted counselor".  Notice that it doesn't say teacher as I don't think that a mentor is merely a swing coach.  A mentor can be a PGA Pro responsible for the mentees lessons, but that is not their only function and they don't have to be professionals.There is much more to it.  A golf mentor should be more than teacher--a guide for the new golfer through all that is the game of golf. The mentor shares their experiences and knowledge of the game as well as encourages the new golfer. After all, they were new to the game once too and should share that with the mentee, both good and bad as well as their present struggles with the game.
     We all want new golfers to be successful playing the game.  That is kind of hard to do when there are so many questions to answer from the new golfer.  Let's think about this for a minute as many of us take these for granted.  What are the rules and should I play the exact rules when I start and shoot 150? What ball do I play? What clubs should I buy. Why are there so many clubs in a golf bag and what are they used for?What's a putter? (I wonder that myself sometimes even as an experienced golfer.  Where are you Bill Presse? I'm still waiting for my Directed Force putter.) How do I get around the high cost of the game?  How can I enjoy the game more? Will I ever get better? What's a tee time and how do I get one?  What is par? What is a birdie? That only scratches the surface of the questions a new golfer may have.  What do we do about that?  We want them to stay in the game and enjoy it, don't we?  What is our attitude going to be toward this nebie?  We were there ourselves once, remember?
     Here comes the kicker on all of this.  If we were to create a new golfer's mentor program, what would it look like? How would it be organized at the golf course level? Does it have to be an organized program? What role does the course pro take in building this?  I really don't know or have any suggestions. In fact, I welcome your feedback as far as what this would look like.  Please take a few moments and give your suggestions as I would love to hear them.  What is clear though is that we as experienced golfers need to reach out to the newbie and help establish them firmly into the ranks of golfers. You remember how hard it was at first, don't you?

It's time to come together and figure out how we can mentor golfers who are new to the game.

Any Time, Anywhere...Invite Them

      How many people have you shared with how much fun you have playing golf?  What about the strong relationships and friendships you have established over the years at the golf course?  Have you brought your passion for the game out of the shadows and expressed your love for the game to others, including to strangers you meet day to day?  I understand that it takes some effort and at times getting over talking to others and you have to watch for the right occasion, but you should try it. Its a great way to grow our game.
      I am a pretty outgoing kind of guy.  In fact there are times that my wife thinks I am a bit crazy, and most of the time I don't deny it.  I like people and I like to talk to people. Many times I look for an opportunity and I talk to strangers, if not to just say hi and smile.  Sometimes a conversation begins and we talk about many things and many times the conversation gets around to golf.  A lot of times when that conversation gets to golf, the person I am talking to is a golfer but most of the time they are not and I talk to them about how much fun the game is. The conversation ends with me saying "See you out there" to the person who plays and mere importantly an invitation to the non-player to check out the game. Here's what I mean.
      Saturday morning I was having breakfast with my wife's family and we got up to pay the bill.  Waiting to be seated was a family That had just finished a little league game that their son had played in. The boy seemed to be about ten years old.  I asked the boy if he had just finished or was going to play in a game as he had his baseball uni on. They had just played and the father told me the boy had just played and struck out ten batters. Yes, I was interested as I have coached little league in the past so we chatted briefly about the game.
        I asked the boy if he had ever thought about learning how to play golf.  He said no.  I talked to him about how much fun he was having in baseball and that is wonderful.  I also said that he should think about playing golf because he could play golf for a lifetime. That's when the dad stepped into the conversation--he was listening all along of course--and we started a conversation about taking up golf for the boy.  I briefly shared with him how easy it was to start up the game and suggested some of the ways that the boy could get into junior golf.  The dad was very interested and said that he himself was extremely interested in taking up the game. I gave him my business card--I told him I wasn't a pro but knew a lot about the game and what to do to get started--and encouraged him to call me to answer any questions he may have and I could direct him to where he could go to get started. I look forward to chatting with him again and getting both he and
his son into the game of golf.
       I used to be a salesman in one of my past careers. One thing my sales manager used to say quite a bit was "Hide it, keep it.  Show it, sell it."  Let's not hide golf but share it as much as we can to whoever will listen. Our's is a grand old game.  Bringing the game to others by talking to them about what the game means to us and how much we enjoy all aspects of the game is a very important part of the game. Show it and sell it, but most importantly invite them to become a part of it.

Stevinson Ranch had this hanging up outside the entrance to their pro shop.  Let's invite more people to share in the fun. 

 

Crossing The Jordan...Uh, Rae's Creek

      So Jordan Speith plopped two balls into Rae's Creek on the final day of the Masters Tournament to in essence lose the tournament.  Yes, it was a major tournament in the world of golf and he was going for his second win at this tournament in a row, a feat only three other golfers have accomplished. So what, you did all right Jordan. This won't be your last opportunity, believe me. You are after all only human and this is the game of golf.
      I think Will Smith's character in the movie Baggar Vance summed it up best when he said, "Golf is a game you can't win, only play." You just try to do your best when you play it, I guess. Let's face it.  It is a tough but fun game. There is no such thing as perfect and you are always playing when you are playing.
There is no down time. Your mind is in a continuous state of thinking about what you are doing. A golfer needs to keep their head in the game at all times and this is a challenge. No other game demands this total commitment while playing.  
      In baseball you only get to bat three to four times a game and as a fielder, the ball will maybe come to you three or four times a game if you are an outfielder, of course more if you are an infielder. You still have the between innings and when your team is up to recharge your batteries. In football you have offense and defense. When the ball changes hands from defense to offense etc., the defense comes off the field and vice versa.  Don't forget halftime and time outs. Other sports have built in down time.
      That's not so in golf. You are always playing from the tee shot on the first hole to the tap in on number eighteen. You are always on and there is very little down time.  The only downtime you have is the time between shots and the time it take to order a hot dog and Dr. Pepper--not beer because this is a family blog--at the turn. Once you get your soda and dog, its on to the next shot.  Don't forget, there is a group behind you.  Your brain can't always be functioning to it's fullest for four and a half hours. You are going to have lapses in the thought process and in executing shots. That's just normal.
       How many of you have had that shot over water that you have tried many times but just haven't seemed to execute the shot and the ball falls into the water? That's golf, my friend. You know you should try a different strategy to avoid the shot, but your ego keeps getting in the way. You know you can do it, but the odds on making the shot are against you.  You try it anyway and fail. But then, there is that one time that you try and it works.  Isn't golf great?  We
love our game, don't we?
       Yes Jordan Speith had that one unrecoverable incident of brain flatulence. You have to put that into perspective. How many holes did he play up to that point? I think the count was somewhere over 200 in the four days of the tournament.  Have you ever tried playing in a multi day tournament. Try it sometime and see just how much it takes out of you mentally let alone physically.  I have and it is hard. I was not playing for millions of dollars in one of the four major tournaments in golf either. Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone. That's not an original statement but it does apply.
       You done good, Jordan and you proved to us you are human just like the rest of us.  Now, its on to the next tournament and the many more majors you are going to win.

It's not Rae's Creek but it is still a challenge. 

     

Master's Master Jordan

      Yes, I know it is Thursday and I haven't written anything about The Masters Tournament.  There is a reason for this. I wanted to let the hub-bub die down before I wrote something. Congratulations are in order for Danny Willett for his great victory and earning The Green Jacket. I also would like to congratulate Bryson DeChambeau for his performance in The Masters.  I have known Bryson and his dad Jon since the days at Riverbend Golf Club in Madera, California and I wish all the best for him.  It was an exciting Master Tournament and did a lot to grow the game.
      Dare I mention the name? It is time to summon up the courage and utter it here, Jordan Speith.  Did Jordan Speith choke?  That seems to be the question on everyone's lips and seems to be a forgone conclusion. I will have to agree that in the time-space continuum and the way the celestial bodies lined up you would have to say he did. He himself would probably say he did, but wouldn't admit to it publicly. What we all need to do is to step back a little and take look at this from a different perspective.  Golf is like no other game.
      Before you start laughing at me--most of the sane world does, by the way--hear me out. Let's take a look at other sports.  How many times did Babe Ruth strike out?  Did he choke? How many interceptions did Joe Montana--I'm a 49er fan--throw? Did he choke? How many races did FloJo lose? Did she choke? It depends on your definition of success and failure.  It depends on your definition of choke, especially when you are down one run with two men on in the bottom of the ninth and you have a 3-2 count. How about down three points and you are on the five yard line with ten seconds left on the clock. Maybe a three shot lead isn't so comfortable in one of the biggest tournaments of the year. I could add a basketball analogy here, but I am not a big fan of basketball--I'm sorry and I hope I didn't offend you basketball fans.
      How about we give Jordan a pass on this one.  After all, he is only 22.  I wouldn't worry about how successful he will be in his golf career. He made a mistake that cost him dearly.  Have you ever made a big mistake? Will he learn from it? My guess would be probably but that is just the game of golf.  Besides, who presented the "Green Jacket" to Danny Willett? We all hit bumps in the road, in this case Rae's Creek at Augusta National. It is a bit unusual to hit it twice when you are leading the Masters, but things happen you know.  Did he make a couple of big mistakes, yes.  Did he choke? I don't think so.  You da' man, Jordan. The US Open is coming up soon and I think you will be OK

Did he just hit it into the creek?  Twice?

.

Dawn Patrol

    I don't know if I have told you this about me but I am a morning person.  I am proud of that.  As a golfer, the best time of the day to tee off is the early morning and there is something special about teeing off first on the course that day.  We are called "The Dawn Patrol".
     To me early morning is the best part of the day. You know that today is going to be hot but it is pleasantly cool and the course seems magical, almost mystic in the morning light.  The sunrise over the Sierras can be breathtaking, even though it makes following your tee shot to see where it lands almost impossible because of the glare of the rising sun.  Much of the wildlife is active this time of the day, and it is not unusual to see deer.  A while back we saw a mountain lion strutting merrily down the fairway.  In the ponds the fish were jumping to catch the insects that light on the surface of the lakes-oh sorry, that was the golf ball of the group behind us.
     Those of you who play know that the later the day gets the more players have played the course.  This means wear and tear on the golf course.  When you go out first, the course is in the best shape of the day because maintenance has worked on the course to set it up for the day.  By the end of the day, greens can become like the surface of the moon with the ball marks that players have not fixed.  The greens in the later part of the day tend to become bumpy because of the players walking on them. In most cases, greens have been rolled and just mowed first thing in the morning before you tee.  As a "Dawn Patroller"  the greens play truer and run faster and straighter.
     I like the fact that I can play early and be home for lunch and my afternoon nap. Rounds that normally take somewhere around four and a half hours can be leisurely played in under four hours and most of the time are just over three and a half.  As you get older, that nap in the afternoon gets to be important.  At any rate, you have finished your round early and have the rest of the day to do what you want, whatever it is.
     I am not playing today, but I am looking forward to once again teeing off  first thing in the morning the next time I play.  I am proud to be a "Dawn Patroller".
 

Best time of the day.

The Golf Course Travel Bag: The Old Ball Game

The Golf Course Travel Bag: The Old Ball Game

A Highly Technical Golf Lesson

     To me, going on FaceBook and reading posts is extremely dangerous.  I was going to take today off from posting because I was up late last night dealing with an issue which involved a Native American Tribe--sorry, indigenous people--and their very effective source of revenue.  Draw your own conclusions ladies and gentleman and let's just say that I was very generous to the Tribe's Educational Fund--and my own.  I came across a post in FaceBook about Lydia Ko's highly technical swing thoughts.  It was an interesting post and I though that I would comment on the article.
     Seeing as I had a box of Cracker Jacks this morning for breakfast along with my cup of coffee and the prize in it was a PGA Class Z teaching pro card, I thought it appropriate that I comment on the technical swing thoughts of Lydia Ko.  Lydia Ko can do whatever she wants when she swings.  She is doing a heck of a lot better than I could on the LPGA tour. If she has a brain full of technical thoughts as she plays and hits the ball, more power to her.
      As I have recently been blessed with my PGA Teaching Pro Class Z certification I will give my first certified lesson. I'm not sure if the lesson is certified or if I am certifiable, but I hope it helps you. Here goes nothing.
     On the driving range practice area or first tee, take out a tee and a ball and insert it into the ground.  Remove a club, your choice depending on what you want to accomplish, from out of your bag and take a healthy swing.  Take care to notice the sound of the club striking the ball.  Check where the ball ends up. What I would suggest is repeating what you just did making sure you hear the impact of the ball on the club.

      You can use Pay Pal directly or send me a check for the $75 lesson. I do not accept credit cards other than through Pay Pal as the collection fees are too high.  Thank you and should we go ahead and schedule another lesson?

OK, that was scary.

Join The Revolution! (Part 3)

      Look up in the sky.  Do you see that great big 787 Jumbo Jet? It is the latest in aircraft technology and was designed by the Boeing Aircraft Company.  You know who they are.  They have designed and built some of the best airplanes ever flown and are pioneers as well as leaders in the aerospace industry. What does that have to do with golf? Guess what. They have designed a driver in conjunction with Callaway Golf. With the sensational and innovative developments in golf today it has never been a better time to get involved with the game of golf, especially as a  player at your local golf course. The average player is witnessing some wonderful things.  COME JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
      The cost of green fees are coming down in many places and on many courses. Although most courses have not reduced their "rack rate", that is the rate they publish to play if you just show up and want to tee it up.  Most of these courses have got email specials and publish rates on internet tee time services such as Golf Now and Tee It Up.  You can find some great rates if you know where to look.  Keep in mind that the course does not make any money if there are no golfers playing the course. With a smaller pool of golfers and the fact that courses are going out of business, the courses are going to want to draw the golfer to their course.  One of the first ways is to offer "specials" to players. Its a matter of supply and demand.
      There has never been a more exciting time for golf equipment.  We now have a ball that can fit any golfer's game or tastes.  Shafts can be fitted to a golfer's swing and drivers can now be adjusted to help with a golfer's hook or slice. We are seeing the emergence of new materials for clubs, shafts and balls. As I said in the beginning of this article, The Boeing Aircraft Company is getting involved with designing club heads for crying out loud.
      Junior golf is bursting at the seams.  Programs such as US Kid's Golf and other youth programs are sprouting up all over and participation is at a very high level among the youth. Organizations which run youth tournaments such as The American Youth Golf Association and regional organizations such as The Northern California Junior Golf Association report that participation in their tournaments is growing by leaps and bounds.  Tournaments for girls have seen an explosion in participants. This is also true with interest and participation in school athletic programs as well on both the junior high and high school levels with both girls and boys programs.
      What about the fifteen inch cup?  I am not a fan of this innovation, but it still presents and option.  By the way, I got to play in a tournament that used the 15 inch cup and all I have to say is you still have to get it into the cup.  Even with the 15 inch hole, that takes a lot of skill but it is a lot of fun.
      There is Foot Golf and Frisbee Golf out there. This does not necessarily translate into these people coming into our game.  However, some are already golfers and some of these Foot Golfer and Frisbee Golfers kind of like the idea of how the game is played will take up regular golf. If a percentage of those who play Foot Golf transition into our game who have never played traditional golf, golf gains and grows. You would never see me play Foot Golf, but I would welcome the player from Foot Golf that wants to learn and play regular golf.  There is room for all of us.
      Women are coming to the game of golf in record numbers.  This is a great thing.  Ladies, welcome to golf. You represent a growing segment of the industry. That is about all I am going to say on this other than the more the merrier. I don't want to get myself in trouble. This is and exciting time which is also seeing landmark agreements between the PGA Tour and The LPGA Tour. Its about time.
       What about the golfer who has been injured or has a disability.  There is much offered in this area. Golfers who have had to adapt their games are playing in record numbers as a result of innovations in adaptive technologies. The golf course and game
is now accessible to more golfers than ever.
       If you have never taken up the game of golf, now is the time.  If you played the game before but left, we want you back into the fun.  Ladies, we welcome you as golfers to the game.  Now is the time.  COME JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

We know the score.  COME JOIN THE REVOLUTION!