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Written by: Christian Rodriguez

Category: The Rod Blog

Published: 04 May 2016

Hits: 7272

With Winter holding on for dear life in our beloved Northeast city, the Casco Bay Sports team decided to flee for some sunshine in a 30 plus version of Spring break.  Where do four middle aged, crippled athletes go for 3 days? Cancun? Daytona Beach? San Diego?  Get Real!  Wilmington, North Carolina had everything we needed: Sports Leagues, cheap beer, fried green tomatoes, golden tee, spelling bees and finally endless golf courses.  When averaging 36 holes a day, one tends to develop trends in their golf game. Here are a few I noticed during my time down there. 

“The Tee Box Waggle.”  Of course this is not a new tradition in the game.  However, most of us where taking a little more time to line up and pick a direction this particular morning.  A visit to a brand new city meant many new brewery's to sample.  As Portlanders, we had a strong approach to this type of outing.  Yet a few of us might have had one too many picklebacks coupled with vicious golden tee drives.  Either way, after a few breakfast balls and ice packs for everyone’s golden tee "playing hand", we all started the round straight into the fairway. 

“The Lunch Ball.”  A new tradition amongst players might have been born at Echo Falls Municipal.  When you tee up for an additional 18 holes with the wind against you one must simply announce in the tee box: “LUNCH BALL”  Then proceed to lay up to start the next round.  It’s fine as long as everyone else is doing it.

“The Updated 44.”  From now on when someone asks what you scored on the last 3 holes, respond with “just mark me down for a 44 bub.”

“Down $10 with 280 yards to go.”  Accepting a bet on the last par 5 of the day is fairly common in most groups.  However, the fact that both players called 10 strokes would win the hole preaches extreme confidence in each other's ability.  And yes, it was me laying 9 strokes with 200 plus to the pin.

“Desert Walk with a 3 Iron.”  Remember to bring a camelbak when your champion's cart teammate drops you off with 300 yards to the pin in the middle of the Adobe. Nevertheless, the best 3 iron in history was hit from the dunes and even received a compliment from a nice lady on the adjacent hole.  But all I really needed was a glass of water lady.

Luckily the competitive Casco Bays Sports Golf League at historic Riverside Municipal is less than 3 weeks away.  I feel comfortable that I can eliminate most of these trends in just 9 scoring holes, but why worry IT’S JUST GOLF!

Crod

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Written by: Christian Rodriguez

Category: The Rod Blog

Published: 15 February 2016

Hits: 8283

Spring-ish weather showed up briefly last weekend and Portland locals could be found skiing, sledding, hiking and of course enjoying a few beverages on decks.  However, blizzard conditions have returned like a frowny face emoji and most margaritas have turn to Scotch, neat.  For the few lucky Portland transplants this weather is actually what they have been waiting for.  They need to put their $2300 ski pass to use.  Of course one could drop a tax return on a flight to a warmer climate, but if you’re like me and all your friends pick Summer ’16 to get married, you will need that CASH.  When not strolling the streets due to the latest parking ban we are forced to hunker down until St. Patrick’s day with Netflix, if we’re lucky. 

Fear not, the Rod Blog gives you 5 great outings this winter on a local’s budget:

1)      Go to a Pirates game.  You might even see the MVP of a previous NHL All-Star game.  Every Wednesday is one dollar hotdog night and BIG LABATTS are 8 bucks.  Keep in mind that if you mention Casco Bay Sports at the window it’s ONLY $14 entry fee.

2)      Join a social sport.  Soccer keeps you in shape and Flag Football keeps the ego in check.  It’s always a good idea to force yourself out of house for 8 weeks and make some friends this Winter.  CBS is also offering many nontraditional sports this winter with Human Foosball and Innertube Water Polo drop-in play in addition to a winter season of Cornhole.

3)      DRINK! But think outside the box.  When it’s 75 degrees out in the Spring and Summer we all go to same 5 places down town.  Use these dark days to find a new tavern or brewery.  If you don’t feel like limiting yourself to just a few, call the Maine Brew Bus and really get after it as they shuttle you around.

4)      Play WALLYBALL!  In sticking with the fun sports theme.  Saturday March 5^th Sam Reid (Ms. CBS Runner up) is hosting a tournament at Gorham racket Fitness club.  See link for details.

5)      100 swings a day is if what the golf doctor ordered.  Stay on your game and hit some virtual balls up at Four Seasons on the Val Halla grounds in Cumberland center.  Bring your buddies and host a daily fantasy golf draft to really make the next 8 weeks interesting.           

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Written by: Christian Rodriguez

Category: The Rod Blog

Published: 10 December 2015

Hits: 9209

This past weekend I took part in one of my favorite Holiday traditions, the legendary PDL 3v3 dodgeball tournament. For those of you who haven’t heard of this event before, where have you been? If you play a sport in CBS this is the tournament that cements your intramural legacy. Seriously, put off the Home Goods sale or baby Teddy’s first Christmas tree cutting for one day this season. Let’s be honest, it’s all about the apple cider doughnuts and cider anyway. Poor Teddy is eating homemade organic kale, quinoa, butternut squash again. The 3v3 tournament has been played by Portland’s best athletes since 2010 and continues to be the best “triathlon” CBS offers. Yes, that’s right, to complete this tournament from start to finish be ready to play dodgeball for 6 plus hours all while continually pumping 12oz curls down your throat. The rumors are true. Some league legends and former champions never actually took the court for the final round due to dehydration and a sudden inability to use their most common gross-motor skills. The Tone-Loc radio blasting in the background only reminds the PDL family to celebrate the holiday spirit while laughing over food and drink. We kindly remind each other that head shots do indeed count and are borderline encouraged on this day. It’s for the kids.

I’m standing on the side line refereeing and interacting with my “old” league mates arguing this past weeks Pat’s Broncos debacle. I’m expecting my NFL referee call any day now Rodger, seriously CLEAN IT UP. Keep in mind I’m participating in my 5^th straight tournament and keeping up with the new young talent in PDL, one might say “tearing it up.” Now, a 1-8 pool play record might have most players worried come the knockout rounds, however I remain supremely confidents as “The BUFF Tendies” have now switched to margarita’s and my team might have the CBS godfather showing up at lunch time to catch a few stinger balls. In walks Dan “Muffin” Mclaughlin, a former champion of this event and makes the rounds. My instincts tell me that as “old” crafty vet himself, MUFF planed on showing up late to conserve his energy and make a run at this year’s title. Man OH man was I wrong. “Hey Dan, what’s up? You ready to take the court?” “No not this year son, I’m too old, just taking a break from Christmas shopping.” Now on the surface this seems like a harmless response, but the more I thought about it, I realized…I’m Tom Brady! Stay with me on this one…I’ve dedicated an entire day to playing this unforgiving sport and at a moderate level. Calling out plays, making the hard throws, sacrificing my body just to give my team a shot at the quarter finals.  Meanwhile Dan is sitting with former teammates on the sidelines, ordering Papa John’s, watching the action in a hoodie & jeans thinking about where to use his next coupon on the Freeport strip. Who does that sound like, you got it, PAYTON “Muffin” MANNING.