Tag: Memphis

FedEx St. Jude Championship feels like Scottie Scheffler vs. Xander Schauffele. Here’s how they matchup

Pro golf’s modern-day version of “Clash of the Titans” takes stage in Memphis this week.

Scottie Scheffler vs. Xander Schauffele.

Professional golf’s modern-day version of “Clash of the Titans” will premiere at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis this week. When play begins Thursday at TPC Southwind, it will feature 70 of the world’s best golfers, including greats like Rory McIlroy, winners of multiple majors like Collin Morikawa, and former champions in Memphis like Will Zalatoris and Justin Thomas.

But Scheffler and Schauffele have been transcendent this season. Scheffler is No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking and No. 1 in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings. Schauffele is No. 2 in both. Two weeks ago, Scheffler won the gold medal for the United States at the Paris Olympics. Three years ago, Schauffele scored the gold for the U.S. in Tokyo.

Three of golf’s four majors in 2024 were won by either Scheffler (the Masters — where Schauffele finished eighth — already the 28-year-old’s second green jacket) or Schauffele (PGA Championship, British Open — Scheffler had top-10 finishes at both). Bryson DeChambeau, who won’t be in Memphis this year because he has aligned himself with LIV Golf, won the other major (the U.S. Open). Schauffele tied for seventh there, while Scheffler tied for 41st.

How about The Players Championship (golf’s so-called fifth major) back in March? Scheffler won that, too. Schauffele tied for second, one stroke behind Scheffler.

Either Scheffler or Schauffele almost certainly will be the favorite to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Neither has been victorious in Memphis before. But they’ve had enough success here — and are having next-level success this season — to instill confidence in even the most hesitant bettor.

Schauffele has made seven starts at TPC Southwind. His best finish came in 2020, when he tied for sixth at the event, then known as the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. Scheffler has played Memphis four times, finishing 14th in 2021 and tying for 15th in 2020.

2022 Tour Championship
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele walk to the 15th green during the third round of the TOUR Championship. (Photo: Adam Hagy/USA TODAY Sports)

Scottie Scheffler-Xander Schauffele: tale of the tape

  • Age: 28 (Scheffler); 30 (Schauffele)
  • Height: 6-3 (Scheffler); 5-10 (Schauffele)
  • Weight: 200 (Scheffler); 175 (Schauffele)
  • Turned pro: 2018 (Scheffler); 2015 (Schauffele)
  • PGA Tour wins: 12 (Scheffler); 9 (Schauffele)
  • Runner-up finishes: 9 (Scheffler); 14 (Schauffele)

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

This inner-city Tennessee municipal golf course is re-opening on Aug. 1 (and focusing on younger players)

The project was described as “building a new course on top of an existing one.”

The Links at Audubon Golf Course is set to reopen for the public on Aug. 1, marking a significant milestone for the Memphis golf community.

Monday’s media preview featured notable speakers, including Mayor Paul Young, Memphis Parks director Nick Walker, renowned golf course architect Bill Bergin, and PGA course professional Bruno Strzalka.

Young emphasized the course’s role in fostering youth engagement in golf, pointing to the collaboration between Audubon and First Tee of West Tennessee, a youth golf advocacy organization, and his projection of over 40,000 rounds to be played on the new course within the next 11 months. He also announced that the new clubhouse, which will replace the temporary one, will be the home base for First Tee after renovations are completed.

Children from First Tee, alongside Young, concluded the event, teeing off the driving range for the first official shots on the renovated course.

Bergin described the construction as “building a new course on top of an existing one.” He emphasized Audubon as the desired and best location for University of Memphis golf teams to practice because of its central location to campus and the relative difficulty of the course.

Photos from media preview event of the re-opening of The Links at Audubon Golf Course. Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Parks Director Nick Walker, amongst others, tested the new putting grounds, hit the first official tee shots, and unveiled the course partnership with First Tee of West Tennessee. (Photo: Josh Crawford/USA Today Network)

Audubon’s embedded beauty, with its rolling hills and natural tree line, was a challenge to maintain while simultaneously ensuring the course was as playable and beginner-friendly as possible, according to Bergin.

The first hole, with its quarters stretched, is now a combination of the previous first two holes and encourages golfers to be less timid on their drives on the opening hole, exemplifying this balance. A new six-hole course is designed for beginners, providing an ideal space to learn and practice.

“People coming back to the course will get a hint of familiarity,” Bergin said. “But they will walk away saying, ‘This is a completely new course.’ ”

According to Audubon’s website, green fees are $35 on weekdays and $45 Friday through Sunday.

You can reach writer Josh Crawford via email @joshua.crawford@commercialappeal.com or via X @JCrawford5656

This Tennessee city honored one of its golf legends by naming new clubhouse for him

Former PGA Tour pro Loren Roberts was among those on hand to honor Hudson.

Golfers and non-golfers streamed into the newly opened clubhouse Saturday morning at the Links at Pine Hill Golf Course in South Memphis on a historic day. It was the dedication of the Cleophus and Charles Hudson Clubhouse, named after towering figures in the Black golf community of Memphis.

Outside the clubhouse, dozens of golfers prepared for a 9-hole scramble on a course, also recently renovated, to draw more attention to the historic naming of the clubhouse and to raise money in what was billed as “Charles Hudson Day.”

Charles Hudson, who started playing at Pine Hill and played golf on a scholarship at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was the first Black golf pro at Pine Hill. His father, the late Cleophus Hudson Sr., was a caddy at Memphis Country Club and, after serving in the Navy, he returned home and got hooked on golf. In 1962, Cleophus Sr. made history as the firm minority golfer to tee off at the newly desegregated Pine Hill Golf Course, a moment captured by photographer Ernest Withers and featured in the Tri State Defender newspaper.

More: Out of Bounds: The history of African Americans and golf in Memphis explained

Surveying the crowded clubhouse room, Charles Hudson said the outpouring of support and the naming of the clubhouse underscores his family’s “accomplishments and that we made a difference in the community.”

Hudson pointed to the legacy of his community involvement when Memphis professional golfer J.P. Thornton walked by him in the clubhouse. “There’s a whole lot of history in this room,” Hudson noted. Thornton, who plays professionally, got his start on the Links at Pine Hill working with Hudson before attending Texas Southern University on a golf scholarship. He is now playing professionally.

Loren Roberts, the former PGA Tour pro and board member at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, played in Saturday’s Pine Hill scramble. He noted he had played Pine Hill before the recent course renovations and that the new course is a stern golf test as well as a community asset in the heart of South Memphis. He joked that he didn’t know how much “average golfers” would like Pine Hill.

Golf carts can be seen in front of the golf course after a ceremony took place for the new clubhouse being named after pro golfer Charles Hudson on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Pine Hill Golf Course in Memphis, Tenn. (Photo: Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)

“Having a great place to go play and have lunch and be with friends and have a driving range here is great for the city,” Roberts said. “(Until the renovation) Pine Hill never had a driving range, and that’s where you want kids to get out there hitting balls and learning the game.”

He added that Mickey Barker, the city of Memphis golf director, had done a great job of building out youth programs at the city’s municipal courses, including Audubon, Whitehaven and Pine Hill. Roberts said he’s traveled throughout the United States and the Memphis golf program stands out for the way it gets kids involved. “I don’t know of another city that has a program where kids under 16 can play for free,” he added.

On the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Roberts said city leaders need to continue to promote the tournament that starts the FedExCup Playoffs. “We have the biggest sponsor on the tour, FedEx, and we get to see all 70 golfers all four days because we don’t have a cut,” Roberts said. “We need to continue to promote this community asset.” The FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind is Aug. 15-18.

The clubhouse program included remarks by Memphis Council members Jana Swearengen-Washington, other dignitaries and, of course, honoree Charles Hudson.

Mark Russell is executive editor of The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at 901/288-4509 or mark.russell@commercial.appeal.com

Mississippi State’s D.J. Jeffries to have predraft workout with Thunder

Mississippi State’s D.J. Jeffries to have predraft workout with Thunder.

The calendar has flipped to June, which means NBA teams are intensifying their predraft process and hosting players for workouts and visits. The 2024 NBA draft will take place from June 26-27.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this year’s class with a sole draft pick of the No. 12 selection. OKC was gifted the free lottery pick via the Houston Rockets.

The Thunder will host several meetings with draft prospects in the coming weeks. This includes players outside the lottery range as OKC will likely seek to add undrafted free agents or even buy back into the second round if it likes someone enough.

One possibility is Mississippi State forward D.J. Jeffries, who is set to have a predraft workout with the Thunder.

The 24-year-old finished a five-year college career last season that spanned from 2019 to 2024. He spent the first two seasons at Memphis before transferring to Mississippi State for his final three years.

In 33 games, Jeffries averaged 6.5 points on 41.1% shooting, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He shot 27.8% from 3 on 2.9 attempts. At 6-foot-7, 215 pounds, he has decent size for a wing.

Jeffries is likely an undrafted free agent target. He’ll be someone the Thunder could add and take a flyer on for their summer league squad. If he impresses enough there, he could earn a spot on the G League’s OKC Blue for next year.

A full list of 2024 NBA draft prospects that have worked out or visited the Thunder in the predraft process can be viewed here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Regression is cause for concern with USC RB coach Anthony Jones

Anthony Jones did a lot of good work at Memphis and TCU, but some seasons didn’t hit the mark.

Anthony Jones, in his coaching career, has generally improved the rushing games at the schools where he has worked. However, there are some instances of regression within the larger story of improvement at Memphis and TCU. That is something USC will be watching this year in the Big Ten Conference.

USC football analyst Josh Webb has more on how Jones’s Memphis rushing games fell off the pace after a really strong and positive 2018 season:

“2019 saw a pretty significant decrease in yards at Memphis, dropping by 33%,” Webb noted. “Attempts dropped by 10%, TDs dropped by 33%, and yards per carry dropped by 25%. A slight drop-off from 2018 production would make sense, but the numbers across the board were worrying and 2020 proved why. Yes, COVID does help explain things, but the massive drop in numbers for a team that played three fewer games is worrisome.

“In 2020, Memphis posted 396 attempts for 1,861 yards and nine touchdowns, and an average of 4.03 yards per carry on an average of 36 attempts per game. That’s a 35% decrease in total attempts, an 81% decrease in touchdowns, a 59% decrease in total rushing yards, and a 36% decrease in average yards per carry. In 2019, by contrast, Memphis posted over 3,000 rushing yards with 32 touchdowns. You could point to COVID but for the fact that 2021 didn’t really see a return to form.

“2021 rushing totals at Memphis were relatively unchanged compared to 2020. The Tigers rushed for just over 1,900 yards with a four-yards-per-carry average and 18 total touchdowns. While Jones’s move to TCU led to a boost in the Horned Frogs’ overall stats in 2022, the numbers regressed in 2023, much as they did at Memphis. He spent two years at TCU and if you compare his first year to his second year, the second year was noticeably worse.

“TCU saw a 28% decrease from the year prior in total rushing attempts, a 36% decrease in rushing yards, a 10% decrease in average yards per carry, a 48.65% decrease in touchdowns, and a 10% decrease in the total number of rushing attempts per game.”

We aren’t entering Year 2 for Jones at USC. First things first. However, the question of sustainability is undeniably something to look at when evaluating Jones.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Check out more NFL draft coverage with the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.

Tennessee advances to NCAA Tournament Super Regional

Tennessee tennis sweeps Memphis and advances to NCAA Tournament Super Regional.

No. 7 Tennessee defeated Memphis, 4-0, on Saturday at Barksdale Stadium. The match was part of the NCAA Tournament second-round.

The Vols will next host No. 10 seed Florida State in a NCAA Tournament Super Regional on May 11. First serve is slated for 1 p.m. EDT at Barksdale Stadium.

Tennessee-Memphis tennis results:

Doubles

1. #6 Johannus Monday/Angel Diaz (UT) def. #29 Pablo Alemany/Charlie Barry (MEM) 7-6 (9-7)
2. #77 Shunsuke Mitsui/Filip Pieczonka (UT) vs. Harry Rock/Conor Gannon (MEM) 6-6 (6-6), unfinished
3. Filip Apltauer/James Newton (UT) def. Pau Fanlo/Juan Zabala (MEM) 7-5

Order of finish: 3,1

Singles

1. #1 Johannus Monday (UT) def. #58 Pablo Alemany (MEM) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
2. #37 Shunsuke Mitsui (UT) def. Conor Gannon (MEM) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Filip Pieczonka (UT) vs. Pau Fanlo (MEM) 6-3, 2-6, 4-1, unfinished
4. Angel Diaz (UT) def. Harry Rock (MEM) 6-2, 6-2
5. Filip Apltauer (UT) vs. Moritz Kudernatsch (MEM) 3-6, 6-3, 2-3, unfinished
6. James Newton (UT) vs. Mika Berghaus (MEM) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0, unfinished

Order of finish: 4,1,2

PHOTOS: Tennessee tennis sweeps Memphis

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

USC football hires TCU’s Anthony Jones as new running back coach

USC fills the vacancy left by Kiel McDonald’s departure to the Chargers.

The USC football program filled a staff vacancy. The Trojans have hired Anthony Jones Jr. as their new running back coach. Jones will replace Kiel McDonald, who departed a month ago to coach the same position for the Los Angeles Chargers. Jones had been at TCU since 2022.

Jones coached under Lincoln Riley’s younger brother, Garrett Riley, who was TCU’s offensive coordinator for the Horned Frogs’ memorable run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game two seasons ago. In his first year with the Horned Frogs, he had an immediate effect according to the USC press release published on Monday:

“He tutored Kendre Miller, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Miller earned 2022 First-Team All-Big 12 honors and was a Doak Walker Award Semifinalist. His 1,399 yards made him TCU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2016. It was also the most by a Horned Frog since LaDainian Tomlinson led the nation with 2,158 in 2000. Jones also coached Emari Demercado to a career-best season with 681 yards rushing, including 150 yards in the CFP Semifinal win over Michigan.”

In alignment with the theme of this current coaching staff, it’s all about development and preparation for the NFL.  Before joining the Horned Frogs, Jones had similar success with developing running backs for the pros at Memphis, having four players drafted in three years (Darrell Henderson and Antonio Gibson in the third round, Tony Pollard in the fourth round, and Kenneth Gainwell in the fifth round).

Jones has a room full of talented backs in Quinten Joyner, A’marion Petersen, Bryan Jackson, and Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks to work with as the Trojans head into the Big Ten.  It will be interesting to hear the new running back coach discuss the room at spring camp later this month.

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. Follow our newest sites, UW Huskies Wire and UCLA Wire.

Photo gallery: Arkansas’ 84-79 loss to Memphis in Battle 4 Atlantis

Here are the best photos from Arkansas’ 84-79 loss to Memphis in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Thursday evening.

Arkansas was playing Memphis for the first time in over 20 years on Thanksgiving Day, and for a while it resembled the type of game that fans of the programs remember from the teams’ heyday in the 1990s.

Ultimately the Tigers (5-0) prevailed and will play Villanova in the championship tomorrow afternoon.

The Razorbacks are relegated to the third place game, where they will face a familiar opponent in North Carolina, who it has faced in multiple NCAA Tournaments and in a preseason tournament like this in recent years.

Here are some of the best photos from the Bad Boy Mowers semifinal showdown between Penny Hardaway’s Tigers and Eric Musselman’s Hogs.

Memphis-Arkansas basketball series needs to happen

Arkansas and Memphis used to meet every year in basketball. It hasn’t happened in 20 years, but there is talk of ramping it back up.

Arkansas basketball hasn’t played Memphis since January 3, 2003, after playing every year from 1991 to that season.

A 72-67 loss to John Calipari’s Tigers in that 2003 meeting was the last time the two teams met on the hardwood.

Calipari was quoted as saying at the time that continuing to play Arkansas was keeping them a “regional program” instead of a national program that he envisioned them being.

It couldn’t have been the fact that Arkansas had won five of the previous six meetings and had won important recruiting battles for the previous decade in Memphis.

There is a chance that Arkansas could face Memphis, now coached by legendary former player Anfernee ‘Penny’ Hardaway, in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament next week.

The Razorbacks would need to beat Stanford and have Memphis beat Michigan, or both teams could lose their first game and meet in the consolation bracket.

Apparently, Hardaway and Arkansas coach Eric Musselman have had preliminary talks about resuming a regular season matchup.

Fans would love it, and the players would too.

Kellie Harper recaps Lady Vols’ overtime win versus Memphis

Kellie Harper recaps the Lady Vols’ overtime win versus Memphis.

No. 15 Tennessee (2-1) defeated Memphis (1-2). 84-74, in overtime Monday at Food City Center.

Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper met with media following the game.

“Obviously, it was an exciting game,” Harper said. “I’m glad we came out of it with a win. I told our team to remember we don’t take any of them for granted, good, bad or ugly. Take it, you don’t give it back and you try and learn from it and move forward. Memphis did a great job; they play so hard, and we knew that coming in. Thankfully, we had a big challenge in front of us today and found a way to get a win.”

Everything Harper said following the Lady Vols’ win versus Memphis is listed below.