Girls' Volleyball Storms the Court Once Again

PGA Tour vs LIV Golf: A Feud to Set the Future of Golf

By Tara Stoeffler

LIV Golf, a golf tour financed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, is in a power struggle with the PGA (Professional Golf Association) tour. The PGA tour has been seen as the world’s best organization for showcasing professional golfers, up until recently. The breakaway of LIV Golf has introduced a new, unprecedented divide within the sport, and has threatened the golf that fans have loved for years.

LIV Golf brokeout when its outline of investments was released in November. In this, the organization drew plans to invest over $200 million USD into the Asian Tour in order to redo the route with a new ten-event series. Soon after the investments were publicized, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour denounced such decisions, marking the beginning of a months-long feud.

Since then, there has only been more disruption. LIV Golf-- being Saudi-backed-- still continues to brim with money. Lawsuits and verbal arguments are now normal occurrences. Additionally, the divide within the sport has only been reflected in the fan base.

LIV Golf’s “super league” has taken shape with the UK Centurion Club’s decision to host the first event of the circuit. The LIV tour has boasted its new team concept and a whopping prize of $250 million USD at the end of a 54-hole play. This fund attracted more and more professionals, leading to the unveiling of a 14-tournament league in which 48 players plan to compete on 12 teams, all starting in 2023. Due to the dramatic gain of interest, the prize fund increased to over $400 million USD. LIV players will be able to divvy up revenue and profits as the 12 teams begin sponsorships.

Successful individuals such as Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau committed to the PGA Tour, then later made the jump to LIV Golf, pocketing over $116 million just from the switch. Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, as well as European Ryder Cup golfers like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, continue to set the tone by joining.

Steve Martin, a global chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, says, “‘It's actually extraordinary what’s happened. It shows that money talks; in fact, it talks an awful lot in this instance. It’s added chaos to the game.’” As the money increases, and the attraction to LIV Golf does likewise, fans have begun to truly question what this might mean for the future of the sport.

Along with Jay Monahan (PGA Tour commissioner) and his statement that LIV is trying to “buy the game,” many allegations of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia have arisen against players who’ve switched from PGA. Some opposed LIV Golf from the start, due to its funding from Saudi Arabia’s PIF. Others also see the country’s international promotion of LIV Golf as an attempt at national cleansing in order to erase their current political image.

With news updating each day, the story will only continue to develop at such a fast pace. As Steve Martin states, “You’re going to hear multiple different angles to it, and that’s why it’s complete and utter turmoil.”

Aaron Judge is on Track to Break Franchise Record

By Ilana Blumenthal

Aaron Judge started his baseball career at Linden High School in California. He started off as a pitcher and first baseman. Judge has always been a great athlete; he was a three-sport star, playing football and basketball in addition to baseball. He had offers from multiple colleges to play football and baseball and accepted a baseball scholarship to Fresno State. Judge was named All-American and All-Mountain West Conference team each year. He had many eyes on him throughout his college career. Everyone wanted the 6’7 “Monster” on their team.

The Yankees drafted Judge in 2013. Judge faced injuries that set him back and delayed his MLB (Major League Baseball) debut. In the meantime, Judge recovered from a torn muscle and made his professional debut with the Charleston RiverDogs of the Class A South Atlantic League. Due to his performance on that team, he was promoted to the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. Then, in 2014, Judge was a part of the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League. Again, due to his performance, he was promoted to the RailRiders of the Class AAA International League. That same year he was chosen to represent the New York Yankees at the All-Star Futures Game. Finally, on August 13, 2016, Judge made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees.

Judge hit home runs in his first two MLB games. Little did the Yankee franchise know it was just the beginning of what Aaron Judge would accomplish.

Soon after Judge made his debut, he strained his oblique and was put on the injured list. His first year did not go as planned but the new year seemed much brighter.

During Judge's rookie season--in 2017--he was awarded the Players’ Choice Award, the Silver Slugger Award, and was American League Rookie of the Year. In just that year, Judge was able to hit 52 home runs. Only a year after Judge joined the Yankees, Yankee Stadium dedicated a portion of its seating to the “Judge’s Chambers.'' This was located in right field because Judge is the Yankees’ right fielder. The fandom of Aaron Judge grew fast. As his fame grew, so did his record.

Following Judge’s rookie season, he continued to succeed, but nothing has stood out as much as this year. Judge is on track to break the franchise record of 61 which was set in 1961. This record was set by Roger Maris. Currently, he is at 57 home runs.

PRESS RELEASE:

Since this article was written, Judge has gone on to eclipse Roger Maris' long-standing record.