Let's list the party schools accurately

A few thoughts on recent sports news:

Recently the University of Georgia was voted the eighth-best party school in the country.

UGA is a mainstay on this list, so it came as no surprise. Also, I lived in Athens for 18 months, so I have firsthand knowledge of the school's party prowess (for research purposes, of course).

The list also included Florida State. As a lifelong FSU fan, I've been to 60 or 70 Seminoles football games over the years, and I can certainly attest to the Tallahassee night-life as well.

So, it seemed as if the group doing the study really did their homework.

Then I read the top teams on the list:

First - The State University of New York at Albany

Second - Washington & Lee University (Lexington, Va.)

Third - Wisconsin-Madison

Fourth - West Virginia

Fifth - Ohio University

Now, I realize that we're not talking about academic standards or test scores, and in the grand scheme of things it's not that important, but if you're going to do a list ... get it right!

I cannot believe that the researchers for this group actually spent a Saturday night in downtown Athens and still put Washington & Lee ahead of UGA.

UGA did not even have the top city named Athens on the list. Somehow they put Athens, Ohio, ahead of Dawg Country. This list is a joke.

So, I have decided that I will produce my own list.

I will volunteer my time to all of the readers to complete this venture. This fall, I am willing to go party in any college football city when readers pay for my tickets, provide transportation and hotel accomodations, and give me $300 per day in "party per diem."

I know, you're thinking this is a tremendous gesture; but I'm not looking for praise. I'm simply trying to help my fellow man.

Team USA Embarrassed in Greece

Basketball talent worldwide has dramatically improved over the last 10 or 15 years, but the USA losing to Puerto Rico is unfathomable.

Team USA shot just 3-24 from 3-point land in the embarrassing loss. The fame was never even close as the Red, White and Blue fell 92-73.

I truly felt ashamed that we had lost to anyone, much less to Puerto Rico. Going into the game the U.S. had won 109 games and lost only two. Plus, one of those losses was a complete ripoff.

So, what is wrong with American basketball?

It is really hard to explain.

The easy evidence is the team's lack of outside shooting. Opposing teams are simply packing it in and forcing the Americans to hit the jumper. So far they have been unable to get it done.

Also, the team has absolutely no chemistry. They look like 12 players from another country instead of opposing basketball teams. Part of the problem is the team has no true point guard.

Allen Iverson is not the answer to the problem. It is like the Americans got Jerry Rice, Lynn Swann and Steve Largent. Then they signed Ryan Leaf to play quarterback.

Also, a lot of this falls on Larry Brown.

He can obviously coach, but so far he has mailed it in. I don't blame him; I probably would have as well. He probably figured USA would have a cakewalk.

Well, now it is obvious that's not the case. It is time for Brown and his troops to step up and play the best players on the planet.

Jones Creek's improvements are obvious

If you have not played Jones Creek Golf Club since the club renovated its golf course, then you are missing out.

Jones Creek has always had a reputation as one of the toughest courses in the state. It was always extremely tight and if you did not hit it straight off the tee, you were in for a long day.

The club's recent improvements give the high handicapper a fighting chance. They have eliminated one tee box.

Now, instead of Gold Tees they have moved the Blue Tees back to a demanding 6,900 yards. The White tees are a very-playable 6,400. The greens are much better.

They are a little hard but they are fast, and they roll great. The 16th hole is where the most drastic change was made. The old 16th was one of the toughest holes in the CSRA.

It was a 3-wood off the tee for most players and a good tee shot would leave you a 8-iron or so into the green. Sounds easy enough, but your second shot was straight up hill to an extremely elevated green. Bogey was a good score for the casual golfer.

Well, at hole 16 they moved some earth.

The hole is still slightly elevated, but it has now become a birdie hole - which is good, because holes 17 and 18 are brutally tough finishing holes. The course has become more playable for the average golfer, while still providing a stiff challenge for the better players. As a Columbia County resident, I'm glad to see Jones Creek back as one of the top courses in the state.