Britain Rules the Sport

What a fantastic weekend of sport it has been for us Brits! Dear God, I think the beer is flowing still! First the British & Irish Lions win the Test Series in Australia with a convincing display that showed we are streets ahead of the Aussies. Then (ad this was the biggie) Andy Murray became the first Brit in 77 years to win at Wimbledon, while on the same day Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell took the French Open at the tough Le Golf National.
Fantastic! And it was even more brilliant for the still dizzy Mr Jakes because rugby, tennis and golf are my favourite sports.
Was this one of the greatest days in British sport? Its got to be in with a shout. Heck Murray getting a slam at Wimbledon makes it special without the rugger and golf but the triple whammy made for a grand three course sporting feast. And who knows? The Ashes series (cricket) against our arch rivals the Aussies begins on Wednesday and we have a good chance of winning those too. Oh so sweet is victory after a few years in the sporting doldrums! I really do believe our success at last years Olympics kick started it all, there is definitely a bit of that spirit lingering in our athletes.
However to misquote Shakespeare, the course of true sporting highs never did run smooth, and it would seem the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond upset a few people by waving the Saltire (Scottish flag) in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. I personally think it a hulabaloo over nothing, I mean Andy Murray is Scottish, what was Salmond supposed to wave? The flag of Japan? I can assure you dear reader that if Dai Jakes ever created sporting history (I can dream!) then I would be extremely angry/saddened if the Welsh dragon, y Ddraig Goch, wasn't flying.
Still I don't want to end on a sour note when people are still buzzing from such a fabulous weekend, long may it continue, long may Britain become great once more not by the hostilities of our history but through the camaraderie of sporting events.

The Miracle in Medinah

For Seve

The Miracle in Medinah is how many described it. Last night the European team beat the Americans on their own turf 14½ to 13½ to retain the Ryder Cup in Chicago. And im happy to say Dai Jakes was one of the millions who witnessed it. It was glorious! A brilliant sporting comeback after looking like we were doomed to lose after friday and saturday. Team USA had it in the bag, or so they thought. They reckoned without the gutsy Europeans and their determination to win for the memory of one of golfing's greats, Seve Ballesteros. No doubt the man himself was looking down and giving one of his famous air punches as the Cup was lifted. Oh there was no joy in USAville.
Of course many will say, "miracle? Its only a sport!" They are wrong. Yes on the surface it was men holding metal rods and using them to whack balls into holes, but beneath that there was spirit and everyone who watched the Miracle in Medinah saw it at work. Mr Jakes is usually not one for 'acts of God' or divine dealings but I certainly felt something after Martin Kaymer holed the putt that gave us victory. (And it wasn't from the precious ginger liquid in my glass.) It was thrilling and I knew, I just knew that late American golfer Payne Stewart was congratulating Seve and the Spaniard was flashing a wolfish grin. I will have my doubters, the disbelieving naysayers not willing to believe a mere sport can have such an effect but I will not be swayed. For the last few days ive had a grey cloud hovering over me, there has been no reason for it, im happy enough in life, but it was there nevertheless. A kind of 'dent' if you will, on the bonnet of my usually sunny soul.
And then it was gone. Healed by the Miracle of Medinah. Amen!

Mr Jakes' Great Golf Skive!

A new way to spend those long hours at the office when paperwork doesn't seem so attractive. Carpet golf!

Ryder Cup 2010 - A First For Wales

Sporting history will be made on friday, 1st October, when the Ryder Cup will be played out in Wales. At the Celtic Manor in Newport to be exact. Europe, captained by Colin Montgomerie, will take on the might of the Americans who have Corey Pavin at their helm.
For golf fans (and what sensible person isn't a fan?) this is a wonderful event which in the past has had some pretty fine matches. Who can forget The Battle of Brookline in 1999 where Europe were leading against the US until the Americans fought back and pulled off a 14 1/2 win over our 13 1/2? Or Europe's stunning victory at Ireland's K Club in 2006 where Europe trampled all over the Americans, beating them 18 1/2 over their 9 1/2?

All behind Monty's boys!

The American team have just arrived at Cardiff. (Hope they remembered to pack umbrellas.) I know Wales will not let them down, and we shall be gracious hosts to our guests come victory or defeat. Yes the battle lines will be drawn on the greens and fairways but off course things will be different. And to illustrate this, tonight (Sept 29) at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff there is going to be a 'Ryder Cup Welcome to Wales' Concert that is expected to attract over 30,000 fans and feature our two most famous Katherines - Katherine Jenkins and Catherine Zeta Jones. A welcome in the hillsides indeed!
Come on Wales and Europe, dangos eich ysbrid i enill! (Show your spirit and win!)