Latest news with #BigEasy
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Have some hot fun in the summertime with these outdoor concerts in Vermont
We've been through a stretch of cold, wet weather this spring that makes it easy to wonder if summer will ever arrive. Have faith. Summer will be here. Chronologically it arrives June 20, but psychologically it starts Memorial Day weekend, when many of us have three days to relax, gather with friends and family and contemplate all the fun we'll have when the days are long and the weather is warm. Some of that fun can – and probably should – involve music, especially music that happens outside. The summer-concert season in Vermont offers a little something for everyone, from pop to rock to reggae to jazz to country to hip hop and more. This list starts with the day after Memorial Day and covers those glorious warm months until that crisp fall air makes its presence known four months later. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, a busy season for outdoor shows presented by Higher Ground starts with pop-rockers Vampire Weekend joined by Geese, midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $80.96, free for children 12 and under. 5 p.m. Friday, May 30, central Vermont soul-blues act the Dave Keller Band plays the spacious green at Camp Meade, Middlesex. Shows to follow this season include Brett Hughes and That Bluegrass Band (3 p.m. Sunday, June 1), Freeway Clyde (3 p.m. Sunday, June 22), D. Davis and the Bent Nails House Band (5 p.m. Friday, July 11), KeruBo (3 p.m. Sunday, June 29), & the Fire Below (3 p.m. Sunday, July 6) and the All Night Boogie Band (5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29), among many others. Free. 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, the first day of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival (see below) includes the Bruce Sklar Trio, part of Burlington City Arts' summer concert series that features (all at 12:30 p.m.) Brett Hughes (Wednesday, June 18), Moondogs (Wednesday, July 9), Red Hot Juba (Wednesday, July 16) and Skylark (Friday, Aug. 15), among many others, City Hall Park, Burlington. Free. 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival begins June 4 with performances including student bands on the Church Street Marketplace through June 6, but the big outdoor shows kick into gear with this event featuring A Celebration of The Meters with Dumpstaphunk featuring George Porter Jr., Okan, Kat Wright, the Roy Hargrove Big Band and DJ Tad Cautious, Waterfront Park, Burlington. The same site gets busy again at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7 with a bill highlighting The Soul Rebels with special guests Rakim and Talib Kweli as well as Butcher Brown, DJ Taka and Sabouyouma. Free. 4 p.m. Saturday, June 7, the Twilight Block Party that Burlington City Arts presents at 4 p.m. Saturdays begins with The Discussions with Jon McBride's Big Easy, followed June 21by a Juneteenth celebration, July 5 with Copilot with Leddy Moss, July 19 with Cold Chocolate with Emma Cook, Aug. 16 with The Albany Sound with Sheepskin, Aug. 30, Kitbash with Baby Fearn, Sept. 20 an evening of Latin music and Sept. 27, the Jesse Taylor Band with The Leatherbound Books, City Hall Park. Free. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 7, a summer-long series of outdoor concerts has this night of bluegrass and empanadas with Beg, Steal or Borrow as well as shows from the appropriately named Vermont group High Summer (7 p.m. Friday, June 20), singer-songwriter Ali T (6 p.m. Thursday, July 3), pianist-singer Myra Flynn (7 p.m. Saturday, July 12), folk-rocker Audrey Pearl (6 p.m. Saturday, July 26) and Vermont neo-bluegrass band (6 p.m. Thursday,. Aug. 28), among many others, Shelburne Vineyard. Some shows are free, others are ticketed. 6 p.m. Sunday, June 8, the Bandwagon Summer Series by Next Stage Arts in southern Vermont features the Afro-futurist ensemble Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber, and includes among its many acts the Haitian group Lakou Mizik (6 p.m. Saturday, July 5), a tribute to bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs by Tony Trischka's EarlJam and Vermont group the Stockwell Brothers (6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9) and a Celtic and Quebecois mini-festival with Cantrip, Keith Murphy & Yann Falquet and Cecilia, (3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1), various outdoor locations across Windham County. Ticket prices vary; free for children under 12. 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, Higher Ground presents a night of music featuring rock band Mt. Joy, midway lawn, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $80.64, free for children 12 and under. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14, Jamaican reggae singer Luciano performs for a crowd on the green at Essex Experience. $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $75 VIP experience. 7 p.m. Monday, June 23, singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, aka Waxahatchee, follows Kevin Morby in a Concerts on the Green performance presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. $64.90, free for children 12 and under. 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, eclectic rock trio Khruangbin joins John Carroll Kirby in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. Sold out. 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25, a third consecutive night of Concerts on the Green presented by Higher Ground has a night of indie sounds co-headlined by Peach Pit and Briston Maroney and also featuring Bnny, Shelburne Museum. $70.31, free for children 12 and under. 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26, this summer concert series begins with the Adam Ezra Group and continues at 8 p.m. Thursdays (unless otherwise indicated) with Morgan Evans (July 3), Amos Lee (July 10), The Record Company (July 17), Trampled By Turtles (July 24), The Elovaters (July 31), Kaleo (Aug. 7), Grace Bowers (Aug 14), Andy Grammer (Aug. 21) and Dawes (Sunday, Aug. 31), Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee. Free. 5 p.m. Friday, June 27, the new Maloney Performing Arts Plaza is officially launched by Twiddle co-founder Mihali and continues to host shows all summer, including performances by the Connor Young Quartet (5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5), folk-blues-rocker Sarah King (5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2), retro rockers Atom & the Orbits (5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16) and Australian/Samoan musician Bobby Alu (5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, among many others, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury. Free. 6 p.m. Friday, June 27, the Romany jazz sounds of the Devonian Hot Club begin the monthly 'Music in the Alley' series presented by TURNmusic and Blackback Pub that also has (both at 6 p.m. Fridays) the New Orleans-based Noah Young Trio (July 25) and Belgian-born singer-songwriter/cellist Helen Gillet (Aug. 15), Jack's Alley on Stowe Street, Waterbury. Free. 7 p.m. Friday, June 27, the Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury Music Series debuts this summer with local country band Ashley Jane's Hootenanny, Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury. Free. 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 27, guitarist Gary Clark Jr. brings his blues-and-beyond style with opener Grace Bowers in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. $70.60. Saturday, July 5 (time not yet announced), Vermont favorites The Samples play a rare concert, on the green at the Essex Experience. Ticket prices not yet announced. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, the new concert series Party on the Bricks begins with Vermont folk-pop-rockers Troy Millette & the Fire Below, followed (all at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays) by Moonbird (July 17), The Blue Dahlia (July 24), The Tenderbellies (July 31), Rachel Ana Dobken (Aug. 7), Barbacoa (Aug. 14) and High Summer (Aug. 21), Church Street Marketplace, Burlington. Free. Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13, the Grateful Dead vibes of The Dead of Summer Music Festival will be conveyed by acts including Melvin Seals & JGB, The Wailers, Steely Dead, Talking Dreads, Bearly Dead, Jatoba, Organ Fairchild, Deadgrass, Krishna Guthrie and Bow Thayer and many more, Hunter Park at Northshire Civic Center, Manchester. $30-$250. 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, sometimes he rocks, sometimes he croons, but Father John Misty usually surprises, as he likely will with legendary opener Lucinda Williams in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. $68.01, free for children 12 and under. Friday, July 11-Saturday, July 12, the 10th Jeezum Crow Festival offers music from Dark Star Orchestra, Mihali, The National Parks, LaMP, Charlie Parr, Zach Nugent's Dead Set, Taj Farrant, Rigometrics and Dan Weintraub, Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak Resort. $45-$75. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, the annual event known as Summervale offers a day of live music, local food and more, Intervale Center, Burlington. Details to be announced. 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, the annual Do Good Fest this year offers The Fray, Plain White T's and Sammy Rae & the Friends, the lawn at National Life Group, Montpelier. $5 minimum donation with all proceeds to go to the Vermont Foodbank. 6 p.m. Sunday, July 13, Jakob Dylan leads The Wallflowers onto the green at Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe. $48.34-$63.85. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, the Middlebury Festival on the Green begins its week-long run with Durham County Poets and includes Caitlin Canty (7 p.m. Monday, July 14), Honey & Soul (8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15), Ali McGuirk (7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16), Dobet Gnahore (8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17), (8:30 p.m. Friday, July 18) and a festival-ending street dance featuring the Vermont Jazz Ensemble (7 p.m. Saturday, July 19), Middlebury Village Green. Free. Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20, the Frendly Gathering (remember, there is no 'I' in Frend) returns with a lineup including the Gubbuldis Orchestra, Little Stranger, Fruition, Moon Hotch, Satsang, the Hayley Jane Band, Myra Flynn, Madaila and lots more, Timber Ridge, Winham. $287.68. Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20, the annual Stowe Jazz Festival hasn't announced its lineup yet (other than to say all mainstage bands will be led by women), but it has announced a new location, moving from The Alchemist brewery to the Stowe Events Field. Free. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, Higher Ground brings Les Claypool and his eccentric rock band Primus, plus opening act Ty Segall, back to the midway lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $70.60, free for ages 12 and under. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, the folk-flavored sounds of Iron & Wine and I'm With Her top a bill that includes Ken Pomeroy in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. $70.60, free for children 12 and under. 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, the funk-pop band Ripe plays the village green at Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe. $43.52-$58.50. Saturday, July 26, details are scant so far, but the annual event known as The Ramble has set this date for its day of music and other activities across the Old North End of Burlington. Free. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, jazzy hip-hop legends Digable Planets follow E-Block at the Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak Resort. $50; free for ages 6 and under. Noon Saturday, July 26, the fifth-annual Maple Roots Music Festival goes on all day with music from DJ Logic, Freeway Clyde, Michael-Louis Smith, Lara Cwass, HiFi, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Parker Shper, the Jaded Ravens and more, Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works, Montpelier. Free; $25 parking fee. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, country-Americana musician Lyle Lovett and his Large Band return in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground to the Shelburne Museum. $64.39-$70.60, free for ages 12 and under. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, another veteran of Higher Ground's Concerts on the Green series, singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus, joins Jay Som at the Shelburne Museum. $70.60. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, Los Angeles rockers Phantom Planet play the village green at Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe. $43.52-$58.50. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, folk-rockers Mumford & Sons head out on their 'Railroad Revival' tour joined by guests Trombone Shorty, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, Madison Cunningham, Leif Vollebekk, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, Chris Thile and Celisse in a concert presented by Higher Ground, midway lawn at the Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $152-$403. Friday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 10, then on-again, off-again music-and-renewable-energy event known as Solarfest is on with tunes from Donna the Buffalo, Into the Fog, Bow Thayer, the Ray Vega Quintet, Phil Henry & the News Feed and more, Solarfest Center, Brandon. $50-$100; free for children 12 and under. 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, the Strawberry Hill Jam 2025, co-presented by Zenbarn, is headlined by The Wood Brothers and includes Mononeon, Karina Rykman, The Rumble, Phish bass player Mike Gordon with daughter/vocalist Tessa Gordon, Mal Maiz and Bob Wagner, among others, Strawberry Hill Farm, Stowe. $86.91. 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, big-name Grateful Dead tribute act Joe Russo's Almost Dead headlines the Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak Resort. $60-$100; free for ages 6 and under. Thursday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 17, the Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots festival offers a lineup including Watchhouse, Molly Tuttle, Steeldrivers, Peter Rowan, Bonny Light Horseman (featuring Vermont native Anais Mitchell), Tommy Emmanuel & Michael Cleveland, Fruit Bats and many more acts, Hunter Park, Manchester. $50-$650; free children under 12. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, country-folk musician Oliver Anthony of 'Rich Men North of Richmond' renown plays the Vermont State Fair, Rutland. $45-$55.50. Friday, Aug. 22-Saturday, Aug. 23, '90s jam-rock favorites Strangefolk return for their annual Garden of Eden Festival with help from the Seth Yacovone Band (Friday) and Pink Talking Fish (Saturday), Stateside Amphitheater, Jay Peak resort. $40-$65. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, '80s hitmakers 38 Special and Loverboy share a bill on opening night of the Champlain Valley Fair, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $39-$69. 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, the that ruled Vermont summers a generation ago has been revived with acts including Barrington Levy, John Brown's Body, Lambsbread, The Skatalites and the Channel 2 Dub Band, Switchback Brewing, Burlington. $75-$150. Saturday, Aug. 23, the time, prices and musical acts haven't been announced, but the Fledge Fest has set the date for its day of music at Fledgling Farmstead, Tunbridge. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, country-rock performer Brantley Gilbert takes the outdoor stage at the Champlain Valley Fair, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, $39-$69. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov follows Ocie Elliott in a Concerts on the Green series performance presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. Sold out. 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt plays the village green at Spruce Peak Arts, Stowe. $43.52-$58.50. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, country musician Dustin Lynch makes some noise at the Champlain Valley Fair, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $39-$69. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, folk-rock legend Ani DiFranco joins Hurray for the Riff Raff in a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground, Shelburne Museum. $64.39. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, hip-hop veteran Lil Jon helps conclude this year's Champlain Valley Fair, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction. $39-$69. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy headlines a Concerts on the Green show presented by Higher Ground that includes Evan Honer, Jonah Kagen and Kyle Schuesler, Shelburne Museum. Sold out. Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 7, the Green Mountain Reggae Festival includes acts such as Jesse Royal, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Sister Nancy, Giant Panda, Guerilla Dub Squad, Sundub, Mighty Mystic, Signal Fire, Dub Apocalypse, Kotoko Brass and many more, Bradford Fairgrounds. $143.66; free under age 12. 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, bluegrass favorites Alison Krauss & Union Station share a bill with Jerry Douglas, bringing an end to Higher Ground's Concerts on the Green series – as well as an unofficial end to the outdoor music season – with help from Willie Watson, Shelburne Museum. Sold out. Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@ This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Summer concerts in Vermont, from big-name headliners to local heroes
Time Out
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Photography: Laura Murray Shrimp Loaf
New Orleans has a special place in my heart. Yes, my first visit in my twenties was marked with three-for-one drinks and frozen slushies dispensed in bars, malls—really, anywhere I could find get one. But in my subsequent travels down south, I've been more focused on how locals actually live, and more importantly, eat. While you can't truly define the cuisine of New Orleans in one sentence, Creole cookery, warming bowls of gumbo and all the oysters for the plucking is most definitely part of the story. So when Strange Delight made its debut last summer, I was more than happy to see a bit of New Orleans make its way to New York. Even from the street, the restaurant makes itself known with a greenish tiled facade and shutters that perpetually stay open and welcoming. Walking inside, the front room almost reads like a diner, with cream tiled walls, soft globe lights and a squat marble bar with stripes of blue, brown and yellow. The counter provides the best shot of the expo kitchen, where you can catch chefs frying extra-large catfish nuggets, while others spoon generous hunks of seasoned butters onto oysters before they meet the fire of the oven. The back room is more formal and farthest away from the clanks of the kitchen, with turquoise booths, an illuminated back bar and even a skylight on the ceiling. While the back is probably the best for families and those who like quiet while they eat, those who appreciate the rhythm of the kitchen will appreciate the bar near the entryway. Is the air permeated with a thin film of oil from the fryer? Yes. Do you also get whiffs of Cajun steamed prawns pulled fresh from the oven? Also, yes. Naturally, with it being a NOLA-inspired joint, seafood reigns supreme. One of my first bites, the Smoked Fish Dip ($20), was so good I considered making the entire review about it alone. Blanketed with handfuls of dill and cilantro, the crabby dip is further complemented with bright pops of lemon. However, the vehicle in which to get it to your mouth, the Creole fried saltines, is in a category all their own. Served in a paper bag, the red-tinged crackers are buttery with a nice back-end of heat that brings it all together. As one of the last tables of the night, I was gifted with another bag of crackers from the server. (I cherished them greatly over the next few days.) Other seafaring selections include oysters and shrimp that you can put together in a seafood tower, ranging from $38 to $130. But if you end up choosing oysters, it is the charbroiled varieties that truly give a taste of the Big Easy. In a smart move, Strange Delight nods to the storied institutions that have preceded it, with Oysters Rockefeller presented in the style of the centuries-old, fine dining institution Galatoire's. While I have yet to visit the New Orleans oyster house that is Felix's, I can now say that I've at least had their oysters, as the Charbroiled Oysters are prepared in the same way. A garlicky and buttery number, the oysters are made even richer with a sprinkle of Parm and breadcrumbs. Speaking of rich, a dozen of these charbroiled beauties come in at a whopping $72 for twelve. However, it's worth the spend to try at least one, so if you are in a small group, the more reasonable (but still pricey) cost of $18 for three is enough to get the experience of it. Another must-add to the table are the Hush Puppies ($14). While a number of my Hush Puppies experiences have ranged from gummy balls to downright nitty-gritty numbers, Strange Delight's are, dare I say, delightful. The craggy-looking balls give way to a light, almost sugary crust that nearly dissolves once bitten. It all comes with a butter-kissed honey that easily melts as soon as it's spooned. Yet, the one dish that I was the most excited about were the po'boys. Strange Delight has a lineup of po' boys for the taking, from the Fried Shrimp Loaf to veggie-forward Fried Green Tomato Loaf. Giving the sandwich a needed update, all the sandwiches swap out crusty baguettes for pillowy milk bread made in house. I went for the Oyster Loaf while my dining companion tried the Catfish Loaf. Each sandwich was a hefty, two-handed thing and the usage of milk bread was a lovely addition—the many layered pickled bits quickly overwhelmed the fish. Pulling out the oysters individually, I finally got some salinity and flavor. But even then, there was more breading to be had than oyster. Overall, it was a good sandwich, but maybe not as mind-bendingly good as I've heard. Still, I wouldn't mind another visit just to snag those coveted crackers. Restaurant Vitals The vibe: The times to be had here are laid back, and almost, can we say, easy? The front room is a bit more boisterous, so be prepared to speak over the happenings of the kitchen and the rap music pumped over the speakers. The back area is a bit more tame with booths for larger groups and an illuminated bar. The food: New Orleans is alive and well here. Seafood is fresh and sourced locally, hush puppies hit the spot and the po' boys sandwiches come plenty hefty with fish and a nice, snappy giardiniera. Every meal ends with a dessert on the house, a milk bread pudding drizzled a Sazerac custard. It's like a warm hug at the end of the meal, so you better eat it up fast before the temp starts to drop. The drink: It would be remiss to visit a New Orleans-style spot and not get a Hurricane, no? Strange Delight's Hurricane comes properly boozed and never oversweetened, with a nice passionfruit taste, all poured over that good ice. They also make a mean Sazerac that will get you properly boozed. Time Out tip: Sandwiches for charity? Strange Delight has them. The restaurant's springtime sandwich series, 'Live, Laugh, Loaf,' has partnered with a number of chefs like Hawa Hassan, Sohla El-Waylly and
New York Times
08-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The 2025 Masters hole-by-hole betting guide: Tips, history and predictions
Many of the world's greatest golf courses begin with what's been termed a 'gentle handshake,' allowing players to ease into their rounds. Augusta National starts with a slap to the face, according to the annual Masters statistics — but a genteel slap in the face, of course. Only four holes have been played to a scoring average below par in the first 88 editions of this tournament. If you guessed that it's all the par-5s, give yourself a polite golf clap. Advertisement When it's said that the Masters 'doesn't really begin until the back-nine on Sunday' — a phrase popularized by the late, great writer Dan Jenkins, who covered more than a half-century's worth of these tournaments — there's some truth to it. The first three holes on the inward nine rank second, first, and fourth-hardest, respectively, in relation to par. The mysteries of the game's most cherished venues will forever endure. However, some secrets are revealed in the numbers. Dig in as we take you on a hole-by-hole journey from the first tee to the final green, with betting advice, statistical analysis and fun facts for every hole on the course. Media guide description: 'A slight dogleg right that requires a precise second shot to an undulating green. A poorly struck approach shot may result in a difficult two-putt. Drives to the left may catch the trees, and the hole plays uphill.' Betting angle: Fade the first-timers — at least early. If you're expecting a debutant to neutralize his nerves and kickstart his Masters career with an early birdie, think again. Last year, there were 20 such players in the field. On Thursday, they played this hole in a collective 6-over-par, with exactly zero birdies. Among the bigger names making their debut this year are Maverick McNealy, Taylor Pendrith and Thomas Detry. Fun fact: No player has ever made a birdie on this hole in all four rounds. Only six have birdied the opening hole in three rounds. Bonus fun fact: The highest score ever recorded here was a 9 by Ernie Els in 2016, when he needed six putts to make quintuple-bogey. (Not such a 'fun' fact for The Big Easy himself.) Media guide description: 'A dogleg left, which may be reachable in two. Large, deep greenside bunkers require special attention on the second shot.' Betting angle: It should come as little surprise that par-5 prosperity is paramount to a player's overall success. Three years ago, Scottie Scheffler won the tournament with a score of 10-under while playing the par-5 holes in 8-under. Last year, he won at 11-under while playing these holes in 9-under. His chance at yet another title might very well rest on how he fares on the par 5s once again. If he's making eagles and birdies early, it could be a long week for everyone else with designs on winning. Advertisement Fun fact: Augusta National's par-5 holes are, of course, a player's best opportunity to card an eagle — and with any eagle comes a special prize. Starting in 1954, anyone making an eagle received a crystal highball glass. In 1963, the custom was tweaked to award a pair of crystal goblets. In 2012, the club harkened to its earlier tradition, offering a pair of crystal highball glasses, which are still given out today. Media guide description: 'A classic par 4. Golfers attempt to hit short of the four fairway bunkers, resulting in a full club to the green, where it is better to be long than short. Green slopes right to left with a thin neck on the left side guarded by a bunker.' Betting angle: Don't give up on those contenders who start slow in the final round. Over the past 20 years, champions have played the first three holes in an average of 0.6 strokes over par. Scottie Scheffler, however, has proven an exception to this rule, playing the opening three-hole stretch in 1-under during each of his victories. Fun fact: In the official Masters media guide, there exists a section titled 'Significant Hole Changes,' which lists every alteration since the tournament began. None has seen fewer than No. 3, which lists only, '1953: Masters tees shifted to right'; and '1982: New fairway bunker complex constructed.' Media guide description: 'A lengthy par 3 requiring a long iron. This hole is often made difficult by deceptive wind. Two greenside bunkers, front-right and along the left side, guard this green, which slopes to the front.' Betting angle: Only 42 percent of tee shots found the green at No. 4 last year, tying for the lowest greens in regulation percentage of any hole on the front nine. In total, No. 4 yielded 16 birdies — or just four per round. Of the top 20 players on the final leaderboard, only Bryson DeChambeau and Will Zalatoris birdied this hole in Sunday's final round. Advertisement Fun fact: There have been six holes-in-one on No. 6, three on No. 12 and 24 on No. 16, but just one on No. 4 — a 4-iron from 213 yards by Jeff Sluman in 1992. Bonus fun fact: The other end of the spectrum from Sluman's ace? Many of the 'highest score' totals for each hole occurred decades ago, but the biggest number here occurred in 2011, when Henrik Stenson made quintuple-bogey. Even worse, it's not the only hole on which he holds this 'honor.' Stenson also made an 8 on No. 18, one of eight in tournament history. Media guide description: 'An uphill, dogleg-left hole with a sloping green. The fairway bunkers are positioned to demand accuracy off the tee. It is a 313-yard carry over the bunkers. The green slopes down to the front, and a back bunker catches balls hit too long.' Betting angle: Forget the eagles, don't even bank on many birdies at No. 5. In last year's tournament, there were just 15 total birdies on No. 5 over the four rounds — and no player has made a birdie here more than once. Fun fact: Only once in tournament history has the same player eagled the same par 4 twice in a single week. That player? Well, it's the same one who's the answer to so many trivia questions at Augusta National: Jack Nicklaus, who posted eagles on No. 5 during the first and third rounds in 1995. Media guide description: 'An elevated tee and large target are characteristics of this par 3. A significant difference in elevation from front to back makes the hole location very important.' Betting angle: No player has ever birdied No. 6 in all four rounds, but 17 different players have played this hole in nine strokes during a single tournament. The most recent was J.T. Poston last year, preceded in the past decade by Si Woo Kim (2021) and Justin Rose (2020). Fun fact: At the time of the high-year scoring average, a pond fronted this green, but the club filled it in back in 1959. Since then, the hole has played comparably easier than in the previous quarter-century since the tournament commenced. Media guide description: 'The drive on this tight hole is often played to the left-center of the fairway, setting up a second shot from a level lie. From there, a short- to mid-iron may be played, but it is important to avoid the three bunkers in front of the green and the two behind.' Betting angle: It shouldn't come as a surprise that the toughest holes to find the fairway last year once again came at the beginning and end of players' rounds. Opening tee shots landed in the short grass just 60 percent of the time, while driving accuracy was also 60 percent on No. 17 and 56 percent on No. 18. Ranking fourth on this list was No. 7, where players successfully got their drives into the fairway just 62 percent of the time. Fun fact: A sneaky-tough hole, the tees at No. 7 were moved back 40-45 yards in 2002, then another 35-40 yards just four years later. Three years after that, an additional 10 yards were added to the front of the tees without changing the hole's yardage. Media guide description: 'An accurate drive is needed to avoid the fairway bunker on the right side. This uphill hole features trouble left of the green. Bruce Devlin scored the second double eagle in Masters history here in 1967.' Betting angle: Prior to the 2020 edition of the tournament, Bryson DeChambeau recklessly explained, 'I'm looking at it as a par 67 for me because I can reach all the par 5s in two, no problem.' The comment drew criticism, and he's since retracted it, but he wasn't too far off that week, playing these holes in 9-under. Since then, however, the golf gods have bitten back. He played the par 5s in 4-under in 2021, 2-over in 2022, 4-under in 2023 and 3-under in 2024. There's an idea that one of golf's biggest hitters should make birdie every time, but we've learned he's hardly automatic. Advertisement Fun fact: In his seven career top-10s at the Masters, Rory McIlroy has dominated the par-5 holes, playing them in a combined 55 under par — or an average of 7.9 strokes under par. In his nine results outside the top 10, he's played these four holes in just 41 under par — an average of 4.6 strokes below par in each appearance. Media guide description: 'Best known for its green that slopes from back to front. The tee shot is often hit down the right side, hoping to take away the two greenside bunkers on the left on the second shot to the green.' Betting angle: If you're looking to back one player who's figured out this hole, check out LIV superstar Joaquin Niemann. Over the past three editions of the tournament, he's played this hole in 4 under par, with an eagle (just the sixth in Masters history), three birdies and just one bogey in those 12 rounds. Fun fact: Only two players have birdied No. 9 in all four rounds. The first was Billy Joe Patton in 1954. The next didn't happen for another 70 years, when Camilo Villegas matched the feat in last year's tournament. Media guide description: 'A long par 4, this hole plays downhill. Players will try to drive the ball to the left or center of the fairway, hitting a second shot into a green that slopes right to left. Prior to 1935, this was the first hole at Augusta National and is traditionally one of the most difficult holes on the course.' Betting angle: In 2011, on the verge of winning his first major championship title, Rory McIlroy wildly pulled his tee shot to start Sunday's back nine, making triple-bogey and leading to an inward 43 and a share of 15th place. The results haven't improved much, but at least he's built up some scar tissue here. In his next 30 rounds, he carded just a single birdie on No. 10 against seven bogeys and a double. In his last 18 rounds, however, he's posted five birdies and just four bogeys and a double. Fun fact: Only one player has made a birdie on No. 10 during all four rounds of a single tournament, a feat accomplished by Jordan Spieth in 2021. Media guide description: 'At this hole begins Amen Corner, and wind is often a factor. A driver to the right side of the fairway is rewarded with a more level lie. A pond guards the green to the left, and a bunker is strategically placed right-center. This hole may best be remembered for Larry Mize's incredible chip shot in the 1987 playoff.' Advertisement Betting angle: No two-hole stretch generated more double-bogeys and 'others' — triple-bogey or worse — last year than Nos. 11 and 12, which had a combined total of 43 round-killers. Ludvig Åberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa each finished inside the top five, but posted double-bogey on one of these holes in the final round. For those live-betting during any of the four days, it would be wise to fade players about to approach these two and back those who have already successfully navigated them. Fun fact: Following the 1950 edition of the tournament, Rae's Creek was dammed to create the pond left of No. 11 green. The result led to Ben Hogan's famous quote about staying away from the trouble: 'If you ever see me on the 11th green in two, you'll know I missed my second shot.' Media guide description: 'One of the most famous holes, this is the shortest par 3 on the course. With swirling winds, club selection can range from 6- to 9-iron. Rae's Creek in front and three bunkers, one in front and two in the rear, make it a necessity to land on the putting surface. The Hogan Bridge allows golfers to cross the creek.' Betting angle: It's difficult to analyze which player endured the most infamous final-round gaffe — McIlroy on No. 10 or Jordan Spieth on No. 12. One year after winning the 2015 title, Spieth raced out to a five-stroke lead at the turn, but bogeys on 10 and 11 led to a quadruple-bogey on 12 after he rinsed two shots in Rae's Creek. Since then, he's played this hole to a respectable 3.11 scoring average. If there's an edge to be found here, it might lie in the fact that his four birdies have all occurred during weekend rounds, when perhaps his aggressive nature kicks in a bit more. Fun fact: Only one player has birdied perhaps the world's most famous par 3 in all four rounds — and it wasn't an all-time great. Scott Verplank pulled off the feat in 2003, leading to his lone top-10 in 15 tries. 'It does take a while to figure out how to navigate your way around the greens,' he said. Media guide description: 'An accurate tee shot to the center of the fairway may allow a player to go for the green in two if he desires. A tributary to Rae's Creek winds in front of the green, and behind the putting surface are four bunkers. The Nelson Bridge is located at this tee. From tee to green, there are approximately 1,600 azaleas.' Betting angle: In the past quarter-century, no eventual champion has carded worse than bogey on any hole around Amen Corner during the final round. Last year, Scheffler played these holes in bogey-par-birdie, respectively. If the tournament isn't a foregone conclusion with nine holes to play, the live outright possibilities should separate themselves on these three holes. Advertisement Fun fact: In 2002, as part of the so-called 'Tiger-proofing' of Augusta National, the Masters tees were moved back 20-25 yards at No. 13; in 2010, seven yards were added to the front of the tees without necessitating a change in length to the hole; and in 2023, the tees were moved back another 35 yards to their present yardage. Media guide description: 'The only hole on the course without a bunker, this hole features a green with significant contours that terraces down sharply left to right. Following a well-placed drive, the second shot in will usually be a middle-iron.' Betting angle: Only one player has ever birdied No. 14 in all four rounds — Bernhard Langer in 1991. Last year, though, Shane Lowry matched his feat … sort of. Lowry made par on this hole in the opening round, but followed birdie-eagle-birdie during the final three days to tie Langer's record of 4-under here in a single tournament. Fun fact: In 1952, a bunker on the right side of the fairway at the landing area off the tee was removed and never replaced. To this day, No. 14 remains the lone hole at Augusta National that does not have a single bunker. Media guide description: 'A reachable par 5 when winds are favorable, many golfers will attempt to reach the green in two. A well-hit second shot must be made over the pond and away from the bunker that guards the green on the right. Gene Sarazen hit 'the shot heard 'round the world' when he scored a double eagle here in 1935.' Betting angle: This feels like a miraculous statistic, considering technological advances and the general concession that current players are better equipped for success than previous generations, but eight holes at Augusta National played to a higher scoring average last year than their all-time cumulative scoring averages. That includes each of the final five holes on the course, none more than No. 15, which was once again lengthened in 2022 and played above par in 2024 — a stroke average of .228 more than it has overall. Fun fact: Call it a double eagle or an albatross, but Sarazen's triple-circle has remained the lone 2 on No. 15 for 90 years. Strangely enough, there's only been a single 2 on each of the other par-5 holes, as well — Louis Oosthuizen on No. 2 in 2012, Bruce Devlin on No. 8 in 1967 and Jeff Maggert on No. 13 in 1994. Bonus fun fact: One year after winning the green jacket — and 83 years after Sarazen's shot — Sergio Garcia posted a number 11 strokes higher, hitting five balls that each cleared the water guarding the front of this green, only to watch each one roll down the bank and into the hazard. Media guide description: 'The hole is played entirely over water, and the green is secured by three bunkers. With the green significantly sloping from right to left, an exacting tee shot is required to have a reasonable birdie opportunity.' Betting angle: If you're seeking to play a hole-in-one prop, this is clearly the spot, and Sunday is the day. Of the aforementioned 17 holes-in-one since 2004, 13 have come with the familiar final-round hole location, most recently Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau in 2019. Fun fact: There have been two dozen holes-in-one on No. 16, but 17 of them have come in the last 21 editions of the tournament. No player has aced 16 in his Masters debut since Clive Clark in 1968. That was also the first Masters ace caught on film. Media guide description: 'This par 4 requires a drive near the crest of the hill to see a green guarded by two bunkers. The Eisenhower Tree once stood left-center of the fairway but was removed after an ice storm in 2014.' Betting angle: How difficult was No. 17 last year? Of the 60 players who made the cut, only three played the penultimate holes in under-par for the weekend, as Matthieu Pavon, Adam Scott and Jon Rahm each made birdie in Saturday's third round and par in Sunday's final round. Fun fact: In the third round of last year's Masters, the two closing holes played as the two toughest scoring holes on the course — the first time this had occurred during a single round in the past three decades. Media guide description: 'One of the most famous finishing holes in golf, this uphill dogleg right is protected off the tee by two bunkers at the left elbow. A drive hit down the center of the fairway will often require a middle-iron for an uphill second shot to a green guarded by two bunkers.' Betting angle: It would stand to reason that eventual Masters champions might need to excel on the 72nd hole in order to close out a victory, but that hasn't been the case. Over the past decade, no winner has birdied the difficult 18th, and only six have even made par. Of the others, Jordan Spieth (2015), Tiger Woods (2019) and Hideki Matsuyama (2021) each limped in with bogey to clinch, while Scottie Scheffler four-putted for double-bogey in 2022. Advertisement Fun fact: Everyone knows Fuzzy Zoeller is the lone Masters champion to win in his debut — well, since the second edition of this tournament in 1935, that is. There's an even longer drought of rookies failing to hold the outright 54-hole lead after finishing this 18th hole on Saturday afternoon. The last player to do it? Ralph Guldahl in 1937. (For those who answered 'Jordan Spieth,' he only shared the lead in 2014.) (Illustration: Drew Jordan/ The Athletic; Photo: Keyur Khamar / PGA TOUR)
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What we learned as Warriors outlast Pelicans in Steph's return
What we learned as Warriors outlast Pelicans in Steph's return originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area BOX SCORE With Steph Curry back and the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans extremely undermanned, the Warriors were back in the win column Friday night at Smoothie King Center, clawing their way to a 111-95 victory. Advertisement How they did so wasn't pretty, nor was it super encouraging. The Warriors didn't get their first lead of the night until the 4:51 mark of the second quarter. It was a challenge all game long to beat a 20-win Pelicans team that was without the majority of their top players. Seemingly, the Warriors got better the longer the game went on. After scoring only 21 points in the first quarter, the Warriors scored 29 in the second, 33 in third and outscored the Pelicans by 15 points, 28-13, in the fourth. Curry, after missing the previous two games to a pelvic contusion, returned and scored 23 points in 34 minutes. He went just 7 of 21 from the field and 5 of 16 on 3-pointers, but his flurry in the second quarter was vital to the Warriors outlasting the Pelicans. Curry also dished a team-high six assists and swiped a game-high three steals. Joining Curry, Jimmy Butler gave Golden State an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. Jonathan Kuminga (16 points), Quinten Post (15 points) and Buddy Hield (11 points) also provided needed points off the bench. Advertisement Here are three takeaways from the Warriors snapping their two-game losing streak. He's back Three is the magic number for Curry. On his third 3-point attempt, Curry was back on the scoreboard after missing two games. That also accounted for the Warriors' first made 3-pointer of the night after failing on their first 10 attempts. By then, however, Curry already had four assists and two steals. Curry only scored three points in the first quarter, slicing the Pelicans' defense with his passing. And then, Curry's offense arrived in the second quarter. After getting his legs back under him, Curry exploded for 13 points in the second quarter, going 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 5 behind the 3-point line. He found his stroke from deep, and turned the jets on. While Curry scored 16 points in the first half, the rest of the starters combined to score 12. Curry in the second half received more help from his supporting cast, and scored seven points of his own. There's no way Curry is satisfied with his showing, but having him on the floor clearly made all the difference. Kuminga's Strong Showing Oftentimes, a strong performance from Kuminga jumps off the screen. Think poster dunks and multiple highlight reel plays. But in the Big Easy, the little things went a long way for Kuminga. Advertisement Steve Kerr used Kuminga as a screener for Curry multiple times, and even switched things up by having Curry setting inverted screens as well. Kuminga's actions as a screener allowed him to be utilized offensively in efficient ways. At halftime, Kuminga was the Warriors' only player in double figures aside from Curry, dropping 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting. All four of his made shots through the first two quarters were within 10 feet. Plus, Kuminga also tallied five rebounds and two assists by that point. Kuminga ended up with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He made his first six free throws before missing his last two. His seven rebounds were his most since missing more than two months to an ankle injury. The only downside to Kuminga's night was when he banged knees in the fourth quarter with Yves Missi. Advertisement It's the Pelicans, but this is the blueprint for Kuminga. Trouble From 3 The Warriors watched 10 3-point attempts clank out before finally making one. They were 8 of 9 on 2-pointers in the first quarter, and 1 of 14 from 3-point range. Those numbers at halftime became 14 of 19 on twos (73.7 percent), and 6 of 28 on threes (21.4 percent). Curry was 4 of 8 on threes in the first half, and the rest of the team combined to go 2 of 20. Though they made two threes early into the third quarter, the Warriors entered the fourth quarter with a one-point lead while going 10 of 43 beyond the arc. Meanwhile, they had made 20 of their 26 2-point shots. Advertisement In the end, the Warriors finished the night going 13 of 55, making 23.6 percent of their 3-pointers. Curry, Post and Hield were the only Warriors to make multiple threes. The rest of the Warriors combined to go 3 of 24. To beat better teams going forward, the Warriors will have to find reliable shooters outside of Curry from long distance. Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tiger Woods (like Rory McIlroy now) once said he'd never play competitively in his later years
Rory McIlroy has a history of changing his views, particularly when it comes to LIV Golf, but he was certain as ever when he said he would 'absolutely not' play the PGA Tour Champions. 'Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50,' he said. Ernie Els isn't so sure. The Big Easy also felt certain the 50-and-older league would be the last place for him. Now he's a regular, and even leading the Charles Schwab Cup early in the season. 'At 35 years old I was also bullet proof saying things about not playing past 50,' Els said in a social media post. 'I'm 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. ... Competition is a powerful tool!' It was reminiscent of a conversation with Tiger Woods in 2005, when he was 29 and on the verge of going on another big run. He was asked how long he would play. 'I'll definitely quit the game earlier than people think,' Woods said that day in a parking lot at Doral. 'The only reason I would play is the occasional tournament if my son is good enough to be out there, and he chooses to play.' This was four years before his son, Charlie, was born. 'When my best isn't good enough to win anymore, I'm walking,' Woods said. 'I've won tournaments when I wasn't playing my best. If I play my best and don't win, there's no reason to be out there.' Injuries were not part of that conversation, of course. At that time, Woods had only two surgeries on his left knee, both considered more about cleanup than repair. Views at age 29 are different than age 49. There's also knowing when a player can no longer compete. Woods was asked that day if he had ever played his best and didn't win. 'No,' he replied. Had he ever played his best and come close not to winning? 'No,' he said. That led to one last question. Had he ever played his best? He mentioned his 15-shot victory in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and his 12-shot win at the Masters. And as he turned to leave he added, 'And the (2000) British Open. That was a good week.' That was the year he said he hit a 2-inch draw on the 14th hole at St. Andrews. He won by eight to complete the career Grand Slam. He was 24.
