Lewis at Large By Scott Lewis Birdies, bogeys, bitching... ..t. s golf season again The prestigious PGA Masters tournament, which begins tomorrow in Augusta, Ga., is the yearly signal for golfers in this part of the country to awake from their semiannual slumber and ready themselves for the upcoming season. For many golf afficionados, the game means spending spring and summer afternoons on lush verdant acreage, reacquainting oneself with nature's beauty. For others, golf provides a much-needed outlet of relaxation, a time when good friends can chat about their "day in the office. " For me, it means none of these. Rather, it means the same old complaints, same old excuses and, yes, the same old score. Honestly, I don't know why I keep playing this game. In nine years I have yet to shed the dreadful label "duffer," despite hundreds of hours on the course and an equal number at the driving range. It's frustrating to spend $28 on a round of golf (including motor cart, of course) plus $5 for golf balls (I go through an average of three for nine holes) and then go out and shoot a 98. I have learned, though, that no one cares to hear a golfer's lament. Nothing produces a greater sense of ennui than to hear golfers talk about their lumps on the links., The following account of a recent clubhouse conversation among golfers is a painfully vivid example of how agonizingly boring, fruitless and inane such discussions can be. Ralph (age 53, a part-time barber): I don't know what it is, Harry. I keep my left arm straight, I bend my knees. I keep my head down. I do everything Jack Nicklaus says to do in Golf Digest. But I just can't hit the ball. Harry (64, a retired salesman): It's your shirt, Ralpie. You don't have the penguin on the pocket. Not even an alligator. My friend Sid bought a whole wardrobe of alligator shirts and he's been shooting in the 80's ever since. Ralph: Maybe you're right. It was too hot to wear anything but a T-shirt, though.How can I play well when it's so hot? Ted (48, a pompous insurance executive): It's not the heat, it's the motion. Ralph, I think I know what you're doing wrong. (Harry turns away to watch the golf match on TV). Your hips aren't rotating like they should. Watch my swing. (The portly Ted proceeds to demonstrate his backswing, as a few bemused female onlookers, gawking at him, whisper to each other.) Ralph: You think that's what it is? Ted: Of course. I've been playing this game for 23 years and I know all there is to know about the backswing. Herm (52, an avid bowler who shot a 116): Ya know, Ted, I can never keep my elbow straight, and seeing that you're the expert, can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? Harry: Herm, don't listen to Ted. Did you see how he shanked the ball on that 7th hole? 130 yards and he hit it smack in the water. And that lake was in the wrong fairway. (Harry chuckles, then resumes watching TV.) Ted: I didn't use enough club there. The wind was whipping up a storm and I underestimated its strength. (The weather was perfect-sunny, 75 degrees with a slight breeze blowing toward the flag on the 7th hole.) Herm: You said you used a five-iron. Isn't that usually enough club from 130 yards out? Ted: I said I used a nine, Herm. N-I-N-E. Herm: It looked like a five. Ted: Just worry about your own game, and I'll worry about mine. Harry: ha-ha-ha. Ted's got a lot to worry about these days. Ralph (excited): Did you notice how I was hitting those fairway woods today? I was really nailing them, huh? (No response. Ted is busy figuring out the number of greens he three- putted.) Ralph: Did you see my fairway woods today? I was really hitting them. Ted: What's that, Ralph? Ralph (flustered): Did you.. . never mind. Ted: I was really pleased with my putting today. Ever since I got that new mallet-head putter with the gold shaft, I've been putting so well. -Ralph: Uh. You know, I was thinking that... Ted (interrupting): When I putt, I try to keep my left eye just behind the ball, with the heel of my right foot lined parallel to the center of the ball and... Ralph: You want a beer, Ted? Ted: Make it Michelob. No, let it be Louwenbrau. (Breaks into a hearty guffaw. Harry leaves the clubhouse, while Ralph heads for the bar.) Herm: I think I better get home to the wife. It's almost diner and..-. Ted: Why don't you stay and have a beer with us? We can talkabout the back nine. You know, I've played this game for 23 years ... Herm: I know, and you know everything there is to know about the backswing. Ted: Right, right, I do. (Shouts across the room.) Ralph, bring a beer for' Herm. - (Herm sighs, slouches in his chair, and prepares himself for some more enlightening golf talk. Like scores of golfers like him, he hasn't enjoyed the day's activities. But he'll be back on the course soon, just like the rest of us.) M SPORTS SHORTS: The Michigan Daily--Wednesday, April 9,1980-Page 9 FILLS BENEDICT'S SHOES iiddaugh hopes to mold a winner BY MARK MIHANOVIC Bud Middaugh's honeymoon didn't last very long with many Wolverine baseball loyalists. It came to a premature end when the first-year Michigan mentor cut senior hurlers Steve Wagner, Fritz Hender- son, and Mike Bryant to make room on the mound for five, count 'em, jire. freshmen. AUTOMATICALLY, it was assumed that Middaugh was trading the present for the future, that 1980 was going to be an experiment for the three-time Mid- American Conference Coach-of-the- Year from Miami of Ohio, where he compiled a 355-17312-year slate. Not so, according to Middaugh. "They were cut because I felt the younger players were better. I just wasn't going to keep them in a program and ask them to give up all their time when their chances of playing were nil. "I feel that a senior should con- tribute an awful lot, or they should be worried about what they're going to be doing for the rest of their lives," Mid- daugh continued. "I felt I was doing, in each case, what was best for them, even though they didn't accept it." THE CONCEPT of doing what's best for the players consistently arises in conversation with Middaugh, who has turned down several offers to manage professionally in the minor leagues. "My ambition in life is to help young people, or I wouldn't be where I'm at. The number one objective is to help the players pursue a degree in the par- ticular interest that they have and maintain good academic standards. "Second of all, for those that have the ability, maybe open up some doors for them as a possible consideration for professional baseball. You're acting as an advisor, a counselor, as well as a problem-solver." MIDDAUGH, who replaced a 17-year fixture in the Michigan dugout, the popular Moby Benedict, enjoyed his ,greatest coaching season in 1977, when his Miami Redskins won 45 games and became the first MAC team ever to gain an at-large berth in the NCAA district playoffs. "I'm like in heaven," enthused the 39- year-old skipper, who taught several courses at Miami, as well. "For the fir- st time, I'm just coaching baseball." AND DOING a fine job of it, if the Blue nine's 5-1 record since returning from Florida (where they went 6-7) is any indication. Those who hollered about Middaugh's personnel maneuvers in the pitching department have had to stifle themselves tem- porarily, as Michigan moundsmen have tossed shutouts in all five victories. Freshman Steve Ontiveros hurled the latest goose-egg, a 1-0 defeat of Wayne State last Saturday. Middaugh explained the how and why of the Wolverines' somewhat surprising play of late. "We're trying to bunt a lit- tle bit more; we're playing for one run at a time to try to give our young pit- chers some encouragement. "We'll hit-and-run, we'll steal, we'll squeeze, we'll do things like that that're gonna cause us to create some runs." THE COACH declined to predict how well his young club would fare in Big Ten warfare. "I'm not a predictor, and I think that anyone who is is a fool. "We're going in with a very young club. Not too many people feel that we're going to be in it, and that may be the case, but we feel we're in it until we're proven not." With a young, rapidly-improving club, it would appear that Bud Mid- daugh is going to be in it for a long time, "it" being the Michigan Wolverine baseball coach's office. 'M' ieer assistant Giordano to stay on Att8 ennSeniors mnd MACanddtest Are you interested in pursuing graduate studies in the follow- ing areas: -Administrative Studies -Evaluation Studies -Educational Statistics and Policy -Policy Analysis and Development Socialization Policy if so, you will be interested in the M.A. and Ph.D. program in Administration and-Policy Studies at The School of Education Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois To learn more about these programs, write to the Dean, School of Education, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 60201-or call Fran Birndorf, (312) 492-3730. By MARK BOROWSKI Assistant hockey coach John Gior- dano disclosed yesterday that he will keep his position with Michigan next year. The announcement put an end to speculation that Giordano would leave the team after not being offered the head coaching position vacated by Dan Farrell last month. ALTHOUGH Giordano was one of three candidates forthe position, athletic director Don Canham chose Wilf Martin to replace Farrell. "I think everybody really likes him, he works us hard and he relates well to the players." Today is the first day that recruits can sign national letters of intent and his decision may lure some of the players he has been recruiting this past year. "I THINK it (his decision to stay) will help a little, but I don't know how much," he said. Michigan is concentrating its recruiting efforts on three forwards but will not sign any players today because two of the players art involved in playoffs with their current teams and the third has not made his decision yet. Action SportsWear The'j Windjammer 0' QI c i i Giordano ...here to stay "I don't want to move my family around like I have the last two or three years, that was the number one reason for staying," said Giordano. Graduate assistant Don Boyd, who was in charge of the goalies this past season, will also retain his position with the team. FRESHMAN FORWARD Ted Speers feels Giordano's decision to stay will help the team. "I think it will help out a lot," he said. "He's been here a year and will be able -to help out the new coach, Wilf Martin. Stylish and Handsome Anorak Nylon Pullover Entire Jacket may be folded into its own large zippered kangaroo pocket, and then put on your belt. Lightweight, instant protection from wind, cold and rain. Features: -Suntex 210 water-repellant nylon - Folds into its own storage pocket. - Internal drawstring waist. -Drawstring closure at bottom. -Drawstring hood with keepers. oLarge front storage pouch and separate zipper pocket.' -4 colors. Special discount with this ad! 406 E.Liberty " Ilk a lm ov edaf ..f -oWllYU Nvkl Acd I Gymnasts make it close By LEE KATTERMAN It was a case of "close but no cigar" for the five Wolverine gymnasts in last weekend's NCAA Championship meet. Admittedly, the competition was "tremendous," according to Michigan coach Newt Loken, which helped tem- ter the thoughts of what might have een. For example, the score sheet showed that senior Jim Varilek and freshman Kevin McKee both scored 9.35 in the floor exercise to gain a six-way tie for 17th. But closer inspection of the scores revealed that the pair had missed the finals by a mere tenth of a point. OVER ON the rings, junior and cap- tain-designate Darrell Yee put together a solid routine, but overspun his double ack dismount to land poorly. Even ith the half-point deduction for his fall, he scored an 8.9. For the NCAAs, vaulters were required to perform two vaults, whereas during the dual meet season, there was only one flight per man. Con- sequently, the Michigan qualifiers, Chris Van Mierl and McKee, had to per- fect a second vault for the meet. "Chris (Van Mierlo) practically Nebraska. The Cornhuskers captured first place in the team competition for the second straight year with a remarkable team total in the 280's. In addition, Nebraska's Hartung captured the all-around title. Softball wins 7-0 Despite yesterday's thunderstorms and tornado warnings, the Michigan women's softball team turned in a shutout against Jackson Community College, 7-0, in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader.. Sophomore Laura Reed hurled a one- hitter to up her record to 2-0, as Jackson managed a harmless single in the third inning. THE WOLVERINES scored in four of their six times at bat, getting one run in each of the second and sixth innings, three in the third and two in the fifth. Freshwoman Sandy Tayler and junior Jeannette Dillay led the Wolverine offense. Tayler punched two singles through the Jackson nine to earn one RBI. Dillay earned two RBIs on her double. R i v E 663-6771 I io opJOF U of M Students for the Equal Rights Amendment present 0 RALLY FOR T HE t Every Night g Gathering Place o heW e of the Week Ring in Spring at the Ifillage Well bebML~~I: 8:00-11:00 p.m. ERA 12:00 Moon " Wednesday, April 9 9 On the Plog 0 with these featured speakers: Laura Callow-ERAmerica Carol King-Michigan NO W Marilyn Reed- United Steel Workers Eddie Van Horn-United A uto Workers