Sam’s Commentary

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Wilcox Hole In One At 17

For the 13th hole-in-one of his golfing career, PGA TOUR player Will Wilcox picked a high profile spot. A pitching wedge from 147 yards flew straight and true and rolled into the cup at the 17th hole at the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course on Friday. It’s the first ace at 17 in 14 years […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Play Suspended At THE PLAYERS in Rd. 2

There’s not a hard and fast rule on when to stop play because of weather on the PGA TOUR but they do have parameters. Tournament officials who are on the road each week at the various TOUR stops work with the on-site meteorologist to decided when to stop play. “It depends on the speed of […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Spite A Favorite, And Not Just For Golf

As I was walking by the front door of Sawgrass Country Club, I noticed Jordan Spieth sitting in his PGA Tour courtesy car, working on his phone. That’s when former player and current PGA Tour caddie (for Webb Simpson) Paul Tesori came up with his wife Michelle and their son. “Say hi to Uncle Jordan,” […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Day Early Leader At THE PLAYERS

On a day full of low scores perhaps it’s no surprise that the world’s number one player Jason Day grabbed the first round lead at THE PLAYERS, tying the course record at nine-under 63. “The temperature was hot, so the ball was going a long way, and when the ball goes a long way, you’re […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

First Round Players Notes

Here are some notes from the first round: Jason Day joins Greg Norman (1994) Fred Couples (1992) Roberto Castro (2013) and Martin Kaymer (2014) as a record holder for lowest round ever at the TPC Stadium Course during THE PLAYERS. Norman and Kaymer won the years they shot 63. Day’s previous low round at THE […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Formula To Win THE PLAYERS? None

In succession the number one player in the world, last week’s winner on the PGA Tour and the 2016 Masters Champion all stepped up the podium to address this year’s Players Championship. “This is the toughest field we have all year, It’s a big even and it’s getting bigger and bigger,” said world number one […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Fowler Still “Likes the Vibe”

You’ve probably seen the commercials for The Players featuring the defending champion Rickie Fowler where he talks about “Jax Beach, Ponte Vedra and going to Taco Lu.” Having spent time with Fowler since the beginning of his career I can tell you he’s authentic when he says stuff like that. His comfort level at the […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Mayor Curry To Run Gate River Run

As a politician, Mayor Lenny Curry is used to looking for a way to win. For the Gate River Run on Saturday he’ll have find a new definition for the word victory. “The streets are lined with people, I remember seeing beer stands last year,” Mr. Curry told me before a training run in his […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Furyk Returns Optimistic At PLAYERS

Forced out of action last September with a wrist injury, Ponte Vedra’s Jim Furyk thought he’d be back on the course before the first of the year. But on February 1st, still struggling to get healthy, Furyk announced he’d miss another three months because of surgery on his wrist. “This has been frustrating for me […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

More Players At THE PLAYERS On Monday

For years, Monday was a moneymaking day on the PGA Tour. Not in competition, but rather at corporate outings, appearances and making money for charity. With the amount of money available each week at the regular Tour stops, some of that has disappeared. Monday’s at major championships are full of practice rounds and arrivals and […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Caldwell Takes Jack: “Risk To Be Great”

I ran into Atlanta Falcons General Manager Thomas Dimitrioff last year at the NFL owners meeting walking down a hallway to dinner. “Hey, I work with Dave Caldwell a lot and he said he learned a lot from you,” I said as we shook hands. “Be careful,” he responded, “He’s really smart.” Smart. And measured, […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Jaguars’ Ramsey: Best Player In The Draft

Sticking to the plan and a little luck put the best player in front of the Jaguars in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Getting Jalen Ramsey with the 5th pick seemed like a pipe dream when the Jaguars did their own mock drafts. A scenario where Ramsey was still on the board […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Khan On Draft Day: “Don’t Be Impulsive”

It doesn’t take long for Shad Khan to figure out what he likes and doesn’t like when it comes to a business he owns. After his first draft day as owner of the Jaguars, he knew there were some things he didn’t like. “It wasn’t until the afternoon of the day of the draft that […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Raising Money, Always Funny, Bill Murray’s In Town

When you go to talk with Bill Murray, you know two things: 1) You don’t know what he’s going to say or talk about and 2) something funny is going to happen. I’ve had a chance to talk with Bill over the years since he’s been holding his annual Murray Brothers Golf Tournament here in […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Mcelwain: Gators Much Farther Along

When Jim McElwain took the Florida Gators to the SEC title game last year, he knew it would be a hard act to follow. On Wednesday night in Jacksonville to talk with the Gator faithful, McElwain said recruiting this area is key to continued success. “We have roughly 15 to 17 players from this neck […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Armada Get 1st Win 2-1 vs. Miami FC

It took nearly an extra week but USA Soccer Hall of Famer Tony Meola has his first win as the head coach of the Jacksonville Armada. In their home opener, the Armada defeated the expansion Miami FC 2-1 at the Baseball Grounds on Friday night. Earlier in the week, Meola said the Armada needed a […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Rashean Retires As A Jaguar

He was a know quantity when it came to football. Speed, reaction, hands, determination and on-field presence. Rashean Mathis’ career at Englewood High and at Bethune-Cookman showed he could play the game. What was unknown was whether Mathis’ physical gifts would translate to the tough world of professional football. As a second round pick of […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

Masters Traditions Like No Other

Each year in the run up to the first full week of April, in hushed tones we hear an announcer say, “A tradition like no other, the Masters.” It’s a catchy phrase but it’s actually true. The Masters has a tradition like no other sporting event. Other events have traditions, they drink milk in Victory […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

NFL Contributes To HS Player Safety

With the continued advancement of coaching, nutrition and overall data in sports the natural progression is to keep up with those advancements with better player care. That’s the goal of Project 17, a public initiative that is dedicated to place full-time certified athletic trainers at all 17 high schools in Duval Country by 2020. Five […]

Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris - SamSportsline.com

USA Soccer To Play Here September 6

Getting a game that counts has always bee on the “to do” list for the city of Jacksonville when it comes to USA Soccer and that will happen for the first time in 2016. Mayor Lenny Curry as well as sports executives from the Jaguars, the Armada and SMG will make the announcement tomorrow morning. […]