Golf is known as a humbling game as many would say but there is many a face to the game than we normally get to see at a 9-par course or on television. There is more to Golf than the PGA tours. One of the new faces of the game is investment. Yes! Golf investment is coming of age. A decade back when the multi-ethnic, multi-talented uber-golfer arrived, it made of the greatest bull market pointer in history and laid the foundation for an investing heaven in Golf.

In 1997, Tiger Woods became a champion by winning his first Masters and that was a high point because it initiated higher sales of golf products. The impact was overwhelming as Golf suddenly became overtly popular especially with Armani starting a special line of golf apparels etc. In 1999, enter two new-to-the-market fund managers, Jeffrey and Ross Provence and we see the launch of the Value Trend Links Fund. It was an equity mutual fund that specialized in investments on sponsors of Golf tournaments and golf companies.

The golf industry over the last decade or so has been quite flat in spite of the fact that there are 30 million golfers in the US alone. One of the premier organizations related to Golf investments in America is the Golf Trust of America, which is a sort of self-administered REIT (real estate investment trust). They have most of their interests in upscale golf courses. But there are many Golf investment companies, who have closed their doors due to losses suffered. There are some success stories regarding Golf investors and investments and it is all about timing.

One such story revolves around Callaway Golf, which held the top spot in a bearish market and those who invested in the shares enjoyed an annual return of 20%. But five years back, the stocks fell.

This is mostly so because in spite of the Golf industry being comparatively big, investment options has not been good enough so far. But things are about to change and investors need to keep their eyes on the par and the ball. Restraint has to be exercised and investors need to be careful especially in the light of the fact that Golfing is an overbuilt marketplace that has been pulled down by an uncertain economy.

Golf investors have different options available, which could be investing in Golf training centers, Golf courses, shares, Golf Homes and mutual funds. You will have three options for Investment in Golf training centers and they include regional franchise, Area development agreement and Individual franchise. The investment amount can vary anywhere from $150,000 to $350,000. Investing in a Golf course is similar to real estate investments.

One of the major investment sector will still be the stock market & mutual funds. Let us take a look at the performance of some of the stocks. The main companies in mutual funds include Callaway, Fortune Brands, and Nike.

Adams Golf ADGO Annualized return: -59.80%

Ashworth ASHW Annualized return: -1.59%

Callaway Golf ELY Annualized return: 19.41%

Nike NKE Annualized return: 10.03%
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One of the most memorable wins for Pakistan in Hockey is the World Cup win in 1994 that brought to the forefront a hero – Shahbaz Ahmad. He went on to become one of the best forwards in the history of Pakistan Hockey. After having joined the national hockey team in 1986, he masterminded a brilliant win – the 1994 world cup. Shahbaz Ahmad was nicknamed “the man with the electric heels” and led Pakistan from the front in the 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 Champions Trophy tournaments; 1988 Seoul Olympics; 1989 Asia Cup in New Delhi; 1990 World Hockey Cup in Lahore; 1990 BMW Trophy Amsterdam; 1990 Beijing Asiad and the most memorable of them all – the 1994 World Cup Hockey in Sydney.

The Hockey World Championships is considered to be an international field hockey competition just like FIFA soccer world cup where teams from across the world participate to win the coveted cup. It is organized once every 4 years by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The first world cup was started in 1971. There are two versions of the Hockey world cup – the men’s and the women’s. So far five countries have dominated the Hockey world cup but the most successful team is Pakistan who has won it four times. The Netherlands has won the Hockey world cup three times, Germany two times while both India and Australia have won it once. The 2010 Hockey world cup is going to be held in India.

In fact, the entire concept of the Hockey World Cup was conceived by Air Marshal Nur Khan of Pakistan. The idea was proposed to FIH under the name of Patrick Rowley who was the first editor of the World Hockey magazine. The idea got the approval on 26th October, 1969 and was adopted by the then FIH Council in a meeting that was held in Brussels on 12th April, 1970. The FIH came to the conclusion that the inaugural or first hockey World Cup should be held in Pakistan in October 1971. However, due to political strife and several other issues, the venue of the World Cup was moved from Pakistan to the Real Club de Polo grounds in Barcelona, Spain.

The 1971 Hockey world cup in Spain was won by Pakistan who defeated Spain 1-0 in the finals. In the 1994 World Cup in Sydney Australia, Pakistan was up against a strong opponent – The Netherlands. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and went into extra time and then into penalties. Pakistan then went on to win the final on penalties and the score line read 4-3. This was the 4th world cup for Pakistan and Shahbaz Ahmad led them to victory in style. This further reinforced Pakistan as one of the top hockey playing countries of the world. Shahbaz Ahmad also won another laurel – the player of the tournament.

As the 2010 Hockey world cup date draws close, we will have to wait and watch out for the “men in green!”
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Golf is an interesting game that has created its own niche in the world of competitive sports. Some of the greats of Golf include Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, Nick Faldo and many more but Golf really hit mainstream with Tiger Woods. Suddenly, Golf became a larger than life sport and appealed to the youth worldwide. But even after the success of Golf as a sport there remain a few hurdles and one of them is getting sponsorship.

Sponsorship for golfers is a herculean task even when the game has found a new life, meaning and more fans. Sponsorship is important for a golfer because it takes care of most of the aspects and of course ensures that the player gets a nice paycheck at the end of the tour. After all, not everyone can win a PGA and sustaining one self in a game like Golf can be fairly expensive. The sponsors take care of most of the expenses from traveling to the venue to the equipments that include the different types of clubs used and even the Golfing tees.

Where to Start

The best place to start is with companies who offer different types of Golfer’s tools that can accelerate the process of receiving various sponsorship opportunities. The different types of tools offered by these companies can add more value to your being a Golf player and thus attract sponsors. Here are some of the tools being offered by different sponsorship opportunity hunting companies

Website: Website is like the face of any business today and as a player having a website is important. The website will not only have your profile as a player but will include all the relevant statistics, golfing games you have won, career spell so far, PGA tour records etc. The website will ensure that you have a 24×7 presence, 365 days a year.

Proposals: When talking about sponsorship, you will require a detailed business proposal. After all, why should a company sponsor you and especially a golfer when they can sponsor a basketball player, a tennis player or a baseball player? A proposal will highlight all the ways by which a sponsor will be benefited and offer them a deal that they can incorporate into their marketing strategy.

Teams: Most of the sponsorship hunting companies have their own members and teams. As a part of the team, you will be able to get the right amount of exposure into the golfing industry as well as the marketing industry. You will be able to meet potential investors and discuss your sponsorship requirements, which can open newer and exciting promotional avenues for future. As member or as a part of the team, you will be able to get exposure in financial management, health management and accounting, which is as important as the sport itself.

Agreements: The sponsorship hunting companies will not only be able to get you the right sponsor but will ensure that your agreement is in place. They can handle all on-course and off-course agreements and deals so that you can focus on playing the game.
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Before we start our list, I wanted to take some time to comment on 2 fighters that may have strong support in certain communities for being among the best ever, but truly do not have a place on the list.

NOT RANKED

Rocky Marciano – Won 49 Lost 0, 43 KO

Ask any Italian who the greatest boxer ever was, and you will never hear the names Ali, Louis or Sugar. Nope. You will only hear the name Rocky Marciano, the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. To his credit, Rocky Marciano did make a habit of beating up his opponents in the ring. Add the fact that his most notable victory was over his childhood idle, Joe Louis, whom he sent back into retirement. But Joe was well past his prime. He also beat Archie Moore, but he also was already in his early forties. So to the entire nation of Italy and her children I say to you, Rocky Marciano could not beat any of the champions in my Top T.E.N.

Lennox Lewis – 41 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 32 KO

Lewis will most likely go down as one of the most intelligent, calculated champions ever. But that is not what pound for pound is based on. Lennox was able to capitalize on Tyson’s jail term to reign as champion, then got out before the Klitchko brothers could undo the legacy he has manufactured for himself. He stayed an extra 4 years as an amateur to win a gold metal against younger opponents (Riddick Bowe for the medal bout). He then became champion only because Bowe gave up the title. He backed out of Tyson’s way (accepting a huge multi-million dollar payoff from Don King as payment for Tyson taking his ranking) as he was climbing back up to regain the championship that was handed to him. I believe that history will judge him for the fake that he truly is.

And now, to the top ten best pound for pound boxers:

10 – Mike Tyson – 50 wins, 5 losses, 2 no contests, 44 KO

No other fighter has been called “the baddest man on the planet”. Mike Tyson was perhaps the most feared person in boxing history. Up until Buster Douglas embarrassed Iron Mike, Mike Tyson made fighters give up. Going up through the amateur ranks, boxers actually lost on purpose so as to not fight Tyson in tournaments. How ironic that Tyson’s worst defeat was not to a boxer, but to a beauty pageant contestant named Desiree Washington. There is a great chance that had Tyson not suffered a 3-year setback, he would have easily moved up and be universally recognized as one of the best ever.

9 – (Big) George Foreman – Won 76 lost 5, 68 KO

Foreman’s biggest enemy opponent has always been himself. He could not accept defeat. After making his name as one of the most dominant fighter ever, his loss to Ali took him out of professional boxing for over a year. He made his first comeback attempt in 1977, knocking out his next 5 opponents (including Frazier, again), only to retire after losing a 12 round decision. A decade later, Foreman made an improbable comeback at the age of 38. Foreman made it again near the top of the boxing rankings, and despite suffering setbacks against Holyfield and Tommy Morrison, Foreman shocked the world when he stunned Michael Moore with a knock out in the 10th round. His next few bouts further proved that even unto his late 40th, Foreman was still a formidable force.

8 – (Sugar) Ray Leonard – 36 Wins, 3 Loss, 1 Draw, 25 KO

Leonard has to be on this list if only for the pure psychology he was able to inflict on his opponents. Only Ali could get into his opponents head more. Add to that all the titles his has own, in multiple weight divisions, and you have your number 8 all time. Like most great fighters, he just did not know when to quit, so you will have to ignore the last few fights of his career. Sugar Ray beat them all, from Duran (No Mas, No Mas), to Hagler, then Hearns, Sugar Ray’s stock only dropped because of his own issues. He first retired due to a detached retina, and it can be argued that a serious cocaine habit between 84 and 89 further damaged his career.

7 – (Marvelous) Marvin Hagler – 62 Wins, 3 Losses, 2 Draws, 52 KO

Yes, we have the Marvelous one ahead of Leonard, even though Leonard beat Hagler in their one encounter. Hagler was so distraught by that loss that he left before, and even refuses to talk about that fight today. Hagler’s only 2 losses were early on in his career, and he responded to them by beating both fighters. He would have continued to dominate the middleweight division had he not suffered the mentally debilitating loss to Leonard. While Hopkins has been middleweight champion longer, with more title defenses, it can be argued that he never faced opponents the caliber of Duran and Hearns, both of whom Hagler defeated.

6 – Archie Moore – 181 wins, 24 losses, 9 draws and 1 no contest, 145 KO

Looking at the record, it is easy to see why the “Old Mongoose” or “Ancient Archie” has made it to the list. Archie’s career spanned over 4 decades, and it the only fighter to have faced by Rocky Marciano and Muhammed Ali. Archie was a better Light Heavyweight than he was a pure Heavyweight. He had his light heavyweight title stripped from him twice because he was too busy fighting at a higher weight class. No other fighter has knocked out as many professional opponents as Archie.

5 – Roy Jones Jr – 49 wins, 3 losses, 38 KO

This particular selection is highly debatable, and may end with Roy’s removal from the list completely. While there is no denying his talent, there is question as to if his showmanship and opponent section unfairly propelled him into his status. Winning a championship fight after playing paid basketball the same day was previously unheard of. As was becoming a champion at middleweight all the way up to heavyweight. Before his last two fights, Jones’ only defeat was a bogus call after he was disqualified against Montell Griffin, which he quickly avenged. Jones has at least warranted due considering, and an initial entry to the list.

4 – Joe (Brown Bomber) Louis – Won 68 Lost 3, 54 KO

While there seems to be some dispute over whether 5 of his victories by KO were exhibition matches or not, there is a consensus not take seriously 2 of his 3 losses in failed comeback attempts. The last, and most humiliating defeat was an 8th round KO through the ropes by Rocky Marciano. The Brown Bomber was so much in debt, that he tried to come back well past his prime. The fact that so much cultural identify was thrust upon his shoulders, made Joe Louis not only one of the greatest pure fighters, but a true icon for America’s 2nd class citizens. Joe will be best known for his 1st round KO over Germany’s Max Schmeling in 1938. Schmeling beat the favored Louis in 12 years only a few years earlier. Even when Joe won the Heavyweight title by knockout, he refused to be called champion until he settled the score with Schmeling. It is this attitude that made him a national hero despite his color.

3 – Julio Cesar Chavez – Won 104 Lost 5, 2 draws, 80 KO

Julio is a Mexican world champion boxer who won world titles in 3 different divisions. Among the world champions that Chávez defeated in his career are Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, Rocky Lockridge, Meldrick Taylor, Roger Mayweather, Sammy Fuentes, Héctor “Macho” Camacho, Juan Laporte, and Tony López. Chavez went 13 years before not winning a fight, with a draw to Pernell Whitaker, and it was another year later before he suffered his first defeat which was avenged 4 months later. Only in his last 8 years of his 24 year career did Chavez acount for 4 of his 5 losses to 3 different oppenents. He was able to avenge his lose to Willey Wise, but failed in second attempt to Oscar De La Hoya.

2 – Muhammed (Louisville Lip) Ali – won 56 Lost 5, 37 KO

In my book, Ali will also go down as one of the greatest human beings of all time. As purely a boxer, only a “what could have been” during his 3 year lay off after refusing to go to Vietnam prevents him from being the best ever. He came back after 3 years to lose his first of three asking Joe Frazier. Both were undefeated at the time. The same happened with Ken Norton. In both cases, Ali came back to whup them in the next 2 fights. Although the two became friends later on, Ali is also credited with knocking Foreman out in the ring, out of boxing, and onto the pulpit. Leon Spinks got Ali during his declining years, but Ali still come back to beat him in 1979. What happened to Ali in the next two fights against Holmes and Berbick is eerily similar to what is happening now with Roy Jones Jr. In neither case, should those 2 fights be included into what was an otherwise spectacular career.

1 – (Sugar) Ray Robinson 179 wins, 19 losses, 6 draws, 2 no contests, 109 KO

While many fighters have held that nickname over the years, none have been as sweet as Ray Robinson, whose real name was actually Walker Smith Jr. Robinson won the middleweight title an unprecedented 5 times. Even Muhammed Ali referred to Sugar Ray as the greatest fighter ever (it is rumoured that Robinson actually refused to give Ali an autograph when Ali met him while Ali was still young, and Clay). Unlike Moore, the majority of Robinson’s losses came at the end of his career.

Honorable Mention

Floyd Mayweather Jr – 32 Wins, 0 Losses, 21 Knockouts

Now regarded (arguably) as the best active pound for pound boxer

Roberto Duran – 103 Wins, 16 Loss, 69 Knockouts

He will forever by scarred by his 8th round quit job on Sugar Ray Leonard.

Evander (Real Deal) Holyfield – 38 Wins, 7 Losses, 2 Draw, 25 KO

Was undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion of the world. He also was the man that destroyed the aura that was Mike Tyson. He will have his place in boxing history, but not as one of the greatest ever.

(Smokin’) Joe Frazier – 32 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw, 27 KO

Also one of the most feared fighters ever, but 2 losses to Ali and Foreman will keep him off this list.

Thomas Hearns – 59 wins 4 Loss 1 Draw, 46 KO

AKA “the Hit Man” and “the Motor City Cobra”, Hearns won seven world championships in six weight classes during his 22 year pro career. But losses to Leonard (his first ever) and Hagler will keep him off the list.

Bernard Hopkins – 45 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 1 NC, 32 KO

More so than Hagler, Hopkins had a slow start to his career. When he finally won the belt, he has defended against the best of the 90’s and 2000. He may end up considered in the 10 top yet.
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Jake White’s reasoning for his squad, at least his loose trio – So through some reading I finally found something about the Springbok squad that actually makes a bit of sense. Through Jake’s entire explanation I found good reason, except for one glaring mistake (In my humble opinion) – His argument on Butch James. Having watched the Sharks play at times superb, at other times nothing short of inspiring rugby, I find it hard to believe that a central figure in their team such as Butch was left out. And Jake’s reasoning here is the amount of time spent on the sidelines by Butch due to injury. I could not disagree more on this point, Butch definitely played a key role in the Sharks unprecedented success in the Super 14 this past season (the first South African team to ever finish top of the Super 14 log) yet he’s played too little rugby according to coach Jake White.

The interview boiled down to combinations, combinations, combinations. Jake’s viewpoint is that he selects his entire squad based on what he needs for his team to work in combinations, not on individual ability. And these selections change as one player is injured, off form or lacking game time.

“Combinations and role specifics within those combinations are influential in my decision-making. We can always debate the merits of one player over the other, but in the context of combinations there has always been a method to my thinking that has been consistent over four years. I have always asked myself how the three players will combine as a trio. They have to complement each other; not cancel each other out. Furthermore, their value has to go beyond the primary function of a six, seven or eight. Who I choose at lock determines the make-up of my loose-trio and vice-versa.”

Sound thinking, perhaps – But, as they say, the proof’s in the taste of the champagne flowing out of the World Cup, so let’s see…
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