Latest news with #JimMorris
Forbes
06-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Ben Griffin Enters FedExCup Playoffs With A Tailwind
Second acts for a player in pro sports after a failure to launch, especially one with a full-on desk job as the intermission, are rarer than albatrosses. Pitcher Jim Morris was pushing 35 and teaching high school chemistry when he took one last shot at the majors—and made it. Ben Griffin's break from golf wasn't quite as long as the hurler who inspired a Disney movie, but his career arc feels even more cinematic, with a grander payoff still unfolding. Griffin, 29, is currently enjoying the wildest ride of his PGA Tour career, piling up eight top-10 finishes, including his first two victories on golf's top circuit this season. The breakout campaign catapulted the former University of North Carolina standout to No. 6 in the Comcast Business Tour Top 10, netting him a $3.4 million performance bonus heading into the 2025 FedExCup Playoffs, which tee off Thursday at TPC Southwind in Memphis. 'It kind of shows you the incredible rewards you can get from playing really good golf. All of us work super hard and we all believe we can do it,' Griffin said, reflecting on the magnitude of his banner year. 'It can take a while to happen, but fortunately I broke through and continued to gain confidence. It's a byproduct of working really hard, gaining experience, and competing and beating the best players in the world.' Those rewards seem, extra hard won when you consider that just a few years ago, Griffin was grinding through golf's developmental circuits, struggling to gain traction. After giving it a go for several seasons without hitting pay dirt and racking up significant credit card debt to stay afloat along the way, he made the difficult decision to step away from the game entirely, feeling like his dream had slipped away. He settled into a desk job as a residential loan officer at Corporate Investors Mortgage Group in Chapel Hill. There, he cultivated a dormant knack for data analysis. Long before AI tools went mainstream, Griffin was poring over spreadsheets and mining customer databases for refinancing opportunities with the same work ethic he had brought to attacking pin flags on golf's mini tours. The following summer, an old pal Mike Swann invited him to a member-guest tournament at Highland Springs Country Club in Missouri. Despite having shelved his clubs and having abandoned his practice regiment, he managed to card a 63 on his own ball. Weeks later, the same course hosted a Korn Ferry event qualifier. Swann flew him back out, and another friend, Jesse Ahearn, also helped him cover costs. he conjured up a 65—though he'd go on to miss the cut, the fire had reignited and his journey back had begun. It was really a series of fortuitous events that catalyzed Griffin's second golf act, but absolutely crucial to his comeback was the backing and support of Doug Sieg, CEO of the Lord Abbett investment management firm. Sieg was interested in sponsoring a player when he and his daughter got paired with Griffin for a round at Sea Island. That chance meeting sparked a friendship and partnership that still continues. Griffin went on to survive Q-School and racked up three runner-up finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2022. He's been on the rise and sporting Lord Abbett's logo, ever since. 'The real reason I was able to come back to golf was Doug Sieg and Lord Abbett spending their marketing budget on sponsoring me, whether I was going to be out there competing in professional tournaments or playing golf with their clients. I definitely wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for him,' Griffin noted. 'There were so many people in my corner who provided me with a unique opportunity where I could afford to go back out and compete and attempt to play at the highest level and not every golfer has that chance. Not every golfer has the means to be able to go travel and try to make it on the PGA Tour,' he added, expressing gratitude to everyone who helped make his second run at his dream career possible. Repaid Faith Yields Results Signs of the leaderboard heights Griffin would eventually ascend flickered last season when he posted five top-10 finishes—including a runner-up at the Canadian Open. He went on to finish the regular season 61st in the FedEx Cup standings. In pro golf, the margin between good and great is player's iron blade thin. He was on the cusp, but few outside the clubhouse locker room had taken notice. Stats wise he leapfrogged from 33rd in Strokes Gained: Total last season to 11th this year. He's currently sandwiched between Patrick Cantlay and Keegan Bradley in the key metric. 'I've always been a really good putter. I've always had a really good short game. It's funny because I don't think my short game stats are actually as good as they have been the past couple seasons. I'm kind of working on it—they didn't necessarily deteriorate a little but are maybe not quite as sharp. But, being 11th on tour in strokes gained means I'm doing a lot of really good things. 'Obviously, Scottie Scheffler is going to be leading that category, just cause of how dominant he's been. But I'd say the biggest factor that helped me in that category is off the tee, driving and gaining a little bit of distance, I've been working really hard off the course in the gym and all around off the golf course, to make sure I'm doing the right things that I need to do to be an elite golfer. Equipment watchers have certainly noticed that the ball Griffin hits is also on a heater of a comeback trail after a long hiatus from the top circuit. It's been two decades since someone playing a Maxfli, a century-old brand currently owned by Dick's Sporting Goods and sold exclusively at its big-box stores and subsidiary Golf Galaxy, won a PGA Tour event. 'I did testing across all brands and I did not get a higher ball speed with any other ball than the Maxfli Tour X,' Griffin said. 'I gained two miles per hour with the 2023 model and I actually gained an extra mile per hour when I switched to the 2025. I just have a huge belief in their team.' 'The reason they are cheaper than other balls is because you can only purchase them at Dick's and Golf Galaxy so they don't have to sell to wholesalers or pro shops so they can keep their prices low because they're the ones that are warehousing and selling these golf balls. They have a tremendous edge on the market to sell an extremely good golf ball at a way more affordable price.' Griffin Fandom Griffin's relatability goes a long way and his gallery size is experiencing a growth spurt. When asked about it, he admits to have noticing the swell but shrugs off a question on whether the size upgrade come with new pressures. 'The biggest moment, where I noticed it, was playing in the final group with Scottie Scheffler at the Memorial when we were battling that out,' he recollected, adding that in a previous pairing at the Players Championship during his rookie season on tour the only folks watching who were pulling for him were either friends or social media followers. 'At the Memorial, it felt like there were almost more for me than Scottie a lot of the time. I was pretty engaged with the fans and I think at that moment I was like 'man I'm really becoming more popular out on tour' It's definitely been a lot of gravy to have those galleries on my side.' Griffin enters the postseason in a stout shape, an automatic lock for the field at East Lake, thanks to his standing among the Comcast Business Tour Top 10. 'I feel like I have two bye weeks,' he said. 'Even though I'm going to be competing and trying to build points, I don't necessarily have to play my best the next two weeks and could still win the Tour Championship.' That said, Griffin has no plans to let up on the gas and plans to exhibit prime pin hunting poise from the get go in Memphis this week. 'Me as a competitor, I don't want to lose. I want to go battle it out with Scottie at East Lake,' he said. 'If you told me right now Scottie and me are tied with two holes to go, battling it out for first at the Tour Championship—that's where I see myself. That's what I want.' If that's the ending we get, maybe Apple or Netflix greenlights a biopic. Dave Franco could play Griffin with Margot Robbie cast as his fiancée Dana Myeroff.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rochester nonprofit ends refugee resettlement program following federal immigration freeze
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Catholic Charities, a Rochester-based nonprofit, has had to end its refugee resettlement program and other related services following changes to the federal immigration policy. News 8 has learned that about 800 refugees who would have relocated to Rochester through the organization are no longer able to, as the agency is losing capacity to resettle the population over the federal freeze. That freeze, which started in January, has halted refugee resettlement and immigration programs across the country and has forced some locally-based programs to make adjustments. Immediately after the freeze took place, representatives for Catholic Charities say the nonprofit chose to raise funds and underwrite costs for existing clients. In April, their contractor agency ended its relationship with the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, which left the organization no choice but to cut the primary program and other specialized services for refugee families. 'The main change is to our refugee resettlement program. Before the main freeze and last year in 2024, we welcomed 1,100 refugees in our community through Catholic Charities. We're unfortunately no longer able to do that because of the federal pause on refugee resettlement. What that means for us is we're losing that capacity to resettle refugees. We've lost staff as well in this process. We've had to reduce staff in a few layoffs, but we've been very successful with moving many of our people into other positions in the department or agency,' said Jim Morris, who serves as vice president for family prosperity programs at Catholic Charities. Morris added the agency is committed to working with families on next steps in the midst of uncertainty. 'What's very important to us is to maintain the capacity to assist refugees that are already here. We're doing that through programs like our refugee employment program, which places hundreds of refugees to work in our community every year. These closures are not of our own design or desire. We have had closures and funds frozen. If it were up to us, of course we would keep these programs open,' said Morris. Morris noted these changes at the federal level were seen in President Trump's first term, but says the results were not as severe. 'This time around, there's been a complete halt to refugee settlement. There was a promised review from the administration 90 days after that halt. We have not seen a review and we are not sure that exists. That report was supposed to describe the conditions under which refugee resettlement would continue. We're still not sure that is going to happen,' said Morris. In part of a statement, Catholic Charities representatives added, 'Despite these changes, CCFCS is still delivering a wide range of refugee and immigration services, including job preparation and placement, post-resettlement integration and self-sufficiency services, refugee health, and legal immigration services. If the federal administration decides to restart the admission of refugees to the U.S., CCFCS stands ready to resume that work as well. The Greater Rochester region has a long history of embracing refugees from around the world. CCFCS is proud of the role we play in this work. As we move forward, we remain most grateful for the community's support of our mission.' Meanwhile, Keeping Our Promise, a Rochester-based 501(c)(3) resettlement organization, has helped to resettle 181 individuals from Afghanistan since the federal freeze took effect in January. A spokesperson for the organization added, 'Thanks to grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and the Asian American Federation, we are able to cover staff salaries. A United Way grant, and a grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, is helping to cover the loss in some of the resettlement funds that would leave these families homeless and without food, but KOP must raise money to help with the resettlement of our wartime allies from Afghanistan.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
26-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Homelessness and housing help site can relocate anywhere in Windsor, says council
The future permanent location of Windsor's Homelessness and Housing Help Hub will no longer be limited to a two-kilometre radius of the downtown core, council has decided. On Monday, the majority of city council voted to lift the previously-imposed boundaries and allow staff to look for potential H4 sites across Windsor. The H4 is currently temporarily operating out of the former Windsor Water World building at Wyandotte Street East and Glengarry Avenue. The hub operates year-round, offering help and drop-in services to those seeking shelter. It's also an emergency overnight shelter during cold weather. A study that was undertaken by the city in 2022 outlined that the H4 should be located within two kilometres of downtown Windsor. The reasoning was that the help hub should be accessible to those who need its services most, and also be near healthcare services. A property at 700 Wellington Ave. was selected by the city as a permanent site for the H4 — with the proposed facility offering 64 one-bedroom units. Leadership of the Downtown Mission of Windsor said they would re-locate to be closer to the Wellington Avenue site. In late 2024, city council cancelled the plan, citing costs. The new widening of the site-selection process was driven by downtown councillor Renaldo Agostino. At the May 12 council meeting, Agostino questioned the two-kilometre restriction, and argued that the city's efforts to improve the downtown core were "not working." On Monday, Ward 10 Coun. Jim Morrison said he supports expanding the area for the H4 because "it looks like we've been doing nothing." Ward 8 Coun. Gary Kaschak said he's in favour of finding a new site, but he believes a boundary needs to be in place to ensure the H4 is connected to downtown services. Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac agreed. "I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that the community took part in an extensive undertaking," Gignac said. Gignac expressed worry that the city has set expectations for other service providers that the H4 would be downtown. Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis shared that concern — but he supports expanding where the H4 can be located. "We can't lose sight of what the key objective is, and the ripple effects," Francis said. City staff say more services inside H4 allow for wider site selection At Monday's council meeting, city staff members said they believe improvements to what the H4 offers will allow them to select a site outside the previously determined boundaries. "I don't know if a two-kilometre radius is necessarily best practice," said Dana Paladino, the city's acting commissioner of human and health services. "Location to the emergency room is not as critical as it was." According to Paladino, the H4 now benefits from Shelter Health, a service that provides emergency care for people using shelter spaces. Paladino said mental health care supports are also being added to the H4, and court services are more accessible today because of the prevalence of virtual meetings. As a result of council's decision on Monday, city staff will now consider potential sites for the H4 city-wide, then bring a list for council to review. From there, council will select the site and ask upper levels of government for funding to build the facility.
Observer
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman Sail to host inaugural World Sailing Inclusion event
MUSCAT: Oman Sail is incredibly proud to have been selected to host the first edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Due to be held from November 30 to December 8, 2025 at the Musannah Sailing School, with the official opening ceremony to be held on the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event will champion the diverse community of sailors with disabilities and provide a unique platform for Para classified athletes to compete alongside other athletes with disabilities who do not classify under the IPC Classification code. Competition is due to be held in RS Venture Connect, RS21, Wingfoil and ILCA (Special Olympic) categories. Over 200 sailors from around the world are expected for the week-long regatta, as well as coaches and support staff who will be present in Al Musannah for the World Sailing Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) to be held over three days prior to the championship. The IDP will connect sailors with coaches and instructors from World Sailing to help develop national Para Inclusive sailing programmes and provide guidance for sailing coaches and the sailors themselves. Oman Sail to host inaugural World Sailing Inclusion event The event will also include a tourism day to share Oman's rich cultural heritage with visitors from around the world. Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri, CEO of Oman Sail, said, 'It is a great honour to host the first edition of such an important regatta. We are incredibly proud of our achievements in breaking down barriers in sailing, showcasing diversity within the sport, and supporting people with disabilities to live an active and fulfilling life on the water through our SailFree programmeme. Musannah has proven to be an excellent venue for sailing championships of all sizes, with world class facilities, accommodation and accessibility on-site, and we look forward to welcoming the world to Oman later this year and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow.' Jim Morris, World Sailing Director of Events, said, 'We are delighted to award the inaugural edition of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships to the Sultanate of Oman and Oman Sail. "The bid encapsulates the spirit of inclusive sailing with particular attention to the diversity of the sailing community and accessibility, as well as sustainability and long-term benefits for sailors within the region and across Asia. The Inclusive Development Programme, held before the championship begins, will also help to enhance the SailFree programme in Oman, and provide guidance for our members as they seek to develop similar programmes to grow the sport.' Dr Khamis bin Salim al Jabri Hannah Stodel, Para World Sailing Manager, added, 'The introduction of the World Sailing Inclusion Championships is an invaluable addition to the sailing calendar. As a dedicated Para Inclusive Sailing event we are showing that in this sport we are all in the same boat and can all compete at the highest levels. Musannah is an excellent host venue with world class facilities and an impressive history of hosting Para Sailing events. We look forward to developing a vitally important regatta for the sailing community and helping Para Inclusive Sailing to grow globally.' The Oman Sail Sailing School in Al Musannah has previously hosted the RS Venture Connect World Championships in 2022 and is home to the region's first sailing programme for people with disabilities, SailFree, run in partnership with bp Oman and the Oman Paralympic Association. The venue has also been designated a Category A High Performance Centre by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF).
