September 5, 2026 Issue, Page 3 of 12

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SPORTS The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 • 3 Jimmy Clark & Justin Barrick - Champions HorseRace players - ECG&CC By Alex Alvarez was, and I don’t see a way anyone and Christian Bezuidenhout. López Ramírez (Spain — Rook- Two weeks ago, Scottie Scheffler ended the regular season on top of might challenge his position as #1 player in the world. His stats are un- believable! And no, he hasn’t been Golf der par, the other ones were close… Snedeker were announced. The LPGA: The Solheim Cup, founded and ie), Leona Maguire (Ireland — Captain’s Pick), Nastasia Nadaud (France — Rookie), Mimi Rhodes the FedEx Cup with more points long enough on Tour to challenge sponsored by the late Karsten Sol- (England — Rookie), Maja Stark that the next two players combined, Tiger’s stats, but this is a different sort of! full team is (top six were automat- heim owner and founder of PING (Sweden), Lottie Woad (England and last week solidified his #1 rank- era. Jonex had his; Hogan, Palmar, Scheffler closed with a 66, four ic qualifiers, bold letters) Scottie Golf Clubs is an international — Rookie). ing with a come from behind victo- Nicklaus, Watson and Mickelson under par, matching the lowest Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyn- competition against Europe, and ry at the Tour Championship in At- had theirs. For individual stats go round of the day by other golfers dham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell will be played in the Netherlands ELK CITY GOLF & C.C. lanta, GA at the East Lake Course. to: https://www.pgatour.com/play- who were not in contention. Viktor Henley, Collin Morikawa. Cap- for the first time ever (Sep 11-13). The club hosted their annual Bobby Jones, who retired after his er/46046/scottie-scheffler/stats Hovland closed with 72 and took tains Pics: Chris Gotterup, Xander The American captain is Angela Member-Guest now called “The Grand Slam in 1930 and was “the” Scottie began the week with a second place at 13 under par, and Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Patrick Stanford (Bold Letters are automat- Twister.” The top two winners of member at East Lake, would have solid 65. Three shots behind Min Ryan Gerard also shot 72 and fin- Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman and ic qualifiers): Nelly Korda, Angel each flight compete for the Top been proud of Scottie. The FedEx Woo Lee who shot an 8 under par ished solo third at 12 under par. In Jackson Koivun Yin, Jennifer Kupcho, Yealimi Noh, Prize in a horse race: The 2026 points ended last week after the round of 62, but a 73 the second a tie for 4th at 11 under par were The International team will be Auston Kim, Lauren Coughlin, Champions were Jimmy Clark & BMW Championship, and having day left him five behind. Mean- Alex Fitzpatrick (66), Jacob Bridge- captained by Geoff Oglivy who Allisen Corpuz, Andrea Lee and Justin Barrick. Flight results were a spot in the Tour Championship while, Scheffler kept himself close man (68), Min Woo Lee (68), Rus- won the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Alison Lee, Megan Khang, Rose Championship Flight: 1st Nichols/ was the prize for finishing in the to the leaders adding 67 and 66 for sell Henley (68), Rory McIlroy (69), Foot when Phil Mickelson made Zhang, and Lindy Duncan. Hukill, 2nd Price/Mendoza; “A” top 30. With all of this, Scottie is the next two rounds for 12 under Chris Gotterup (71) and Ludvig a double bogey on the last hole to The European Team’s captain Conrad/Wiley, 2nd Clark/Barrick; the most undisputed player in the par after 54 holes. He trailed Vik- Aberg (71). Their final day scores lose by one. The International team is Anna Nordqvist. The team is: “B” 1st Pineda/Toole, 2nd Harri- world. PERIOD!! tor Hovland by three strokes and in parenthesis is Si Woo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, Céline Boutier (France), Carlota son/Paul; “C” 1st Erwin/Martin, Much talk has been about Ti- Ryan Gerard by two going into the This last Tuesday, September 1st, Ryan Fox, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, Ciganda (Spain), Linn Grant (Swe- 2nd Bradford/Smith. ger’s record number of weeks as #1, last round: the round that decides a the six captain’s picks for the Pres- Adam Scott. Captain’s pics are Co- den), Esther Henseleit (Germany), Sources: PGA Tour, Google and and what Scottie is doing. Trust the winner and those who “were close”. idents Cup (September 24-27 at rey Conners, Nico Echavarria, Nick Charley Hull (England), Nanna on-line sports stats: Scottie is as dominant as Tiger The winner was Scheffler at 16 un- Medinah C.C.) by Captain Brandt Taylor, Sugjae Im, Ryo Hisatsune Koerstz Madsen (Denmark), Julia Professional Team Sports By Alex Alvarez bell (Left tackle – rookie & young +2,500. Let’s go Dallas! games this year at Double-A. After NATIONAL LEAGUE LEAD- chez (PHI) 16; Sonny Gray (BOS) starter), Alijah Vera-Tucker (Left being promoted to Triple-A on July ERS: 16; Foster Griffin (CLE & WSH)15; NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE guard) and Jared Wilson (Center). MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: 29, Salas hit .326 with three homers East: Atlanta Braves (82-56), Chase Burns (CIN) 1533; Eduardo The first official game of the NFL The defenses of both teams will have The San Diego Padres promot- and 24 RBIs. Philadelphia Phillies (78-60); Cen- Rodriguez (ARI) 15. will pit the two teams that played in new blood as well. ed Ethan Salas, a catcher. He came The top five in Power Rankings tral: Milwaukee Brewers (85-53), ERA: Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) the last Superbowl: the champions, With all of the changes in all of from AAA El Paso. If Salas (20) as of now are: Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs (78-60); West: Los 1.73; Chris Sale (ATL) 2.06; Cam Seattle Seahawks versus the New the teams, the Los Angeles Rams appears behind the plate, he will Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Angeles Dodgers (82-55), San Di- Schlittler (NYY) 2.09; Dylan Cease England Patriots. The score last are on top of the favorites list to be the youngest catcher in the big Los Angeles Dodgers and New York ego Padres (73-65). (TOR) 2.33; Parker Messick (CLE) February on Superbowl LX played take Superbowl LXI next near So-Fi leagues since Ivan Rodriguez, who Yankees, who close the season with PLAYER STATS: 2.46. at Levi’s Stadium at Santa Clara, Stadium in Inglewood, California was 19 when he debuted with the a four-game series at home against Batting Percentage: Yordan Al- California, was 29-13. next February 17 (yes, two years in Texas Rangers on June 20, 1991. the Tampa Bay Rays who are 4 ½ varez (HOU) .317; Luis Arraez (SF) WNBA STATS & STANDINGS: Seattle has some changes in a row in California!) The Rams start Salas, who signed with the Padres in games ahead. Should be a good one! .316; Chandler Simpson (TB) .311; EASTERN CONFERENCE: In- the starters lineup: Sam Darnold the season at +500. Next come Buf- 2023 for a record $5.6 million bo- AMERICAN LEAGUE LEAD- Nick Gonzales (PIT) .307, Otto Lo- diana Fever and Atlanta Dream 26- (Quarterback), Cooper Kupp (Wide falo Bills and Baltimore Ravens at nus as a top international prospect, ERS: pez (MIA) .305 14; New York Liberty and Washing- Receiver), Jadarian Price (Running +1,000, with the 2026 champions at has progressed quickly through East: Tampa Bay Rays (82-55); Homeruns: Kyle Schwarber ton Mystics 24-16. Back), Grey Zabel (Left Guard), and +1,100. Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas their minor league system despite a New York Yankees (78-60); Cen- (PHI) 40; Pete Crow-Armstrong WESTERN CONFERENCE: Jalen Sundell (Center) are the most City Chiefs and New England Pa- back injury that caused him to miss tral: Chicago White Sox (72-65), (CHC) 38; Yordan Alvarez (HOU) Minnesota Lynx 31-9, Golden State notable, while New England has triots are at +1,600. While Houston most of the 2025 season. The Pa- Cleveland Guardians (69-68); West: 37; Matt Olson (ATL) 37; Junior Valkyries 29-11, Vegas Aces 27-13. A.J. Brown (Wide receiver), Romeo Texans and Green Bay Packers are dres’ top prospect batted .286 with Houston Astros (7-68), Texas Rang- Caminero (TB) 37. Sources: ESPN, GOOGLE, Doubs (Wide receiver), Will Camp- at +1,800. “America’s Team” is at seven home runs, and 37 RBIs in 72 ers tied (68-70). Games Won: Christopher San- SPORTS CHANNELS. FOOTBALL FANS’ TWO SEASONS: Football Season & The Season Of Waiting For Football Season By Alex Alvarez the volume of a leaf blower. Par- game for the Elks was not a pretty coming up like a mustache-twirl- sued by the state. Every first down 24 loss at the Gaylord Family Okla- ents unfolded stadium seats with one, suffering a loss to Shawnee at ing villain that lifts 400lbs, one with feels like a spark. Every touchdown homa Memorial Stadium in Nor- The first sign that football sea- the precision of ancient engineers, the tune of 47-16 in front of parents long hair in braids or ponytails who sends strangers into each other’s man against the Crimson Tide. We son has arrived is not on television while the student section painted and friends. Football is important also runs a 4.6 forty. arms, which is beautiful unless one remember that Alabama overcame or in the newspaper. It arrives with its faces in brown and white as if in Elk City, and just like the NFL In Norman, the first game was of them is holding chili, in which a 17-point deficit and crushed us in cleats clacking against locker room the fate of democracy depended on and College, there are memories on a Friday (Sep 4) and will feel case it becomes a textile emergency. the end to stop our championship concrete like tiny, armored horses, screaming, “Defense!” until some- of those who once won champion- bigger than a game, though they Under the bright afternoon sky, dreams. the smell of cut grass rising after one’s grandmother dropped her ships, but haven’t in decades. The played what seems to be an easy op- it is possible to believe the season Then, one more week, and the a late-summer storm, and every popcorn on the front row’s fans. winning years will come back: EV- ponent, UTEP (no available scores ahead will be remembered forev- NFL comes back. This year the sea- small town suddenly acting as if When the home team burst ERYONE PROMISES, but in many since the game was after this col- er, or at least until one question- son will begin on Wednesday, Sep- Friday night has been declared through the banner through ways, it doesn’t matter let the kids umn was written) El Paso. It was a able holding call turns the entire tember 9 in Seattle when the Sea- a federal holiday by unanimous smoke, the crowd rose with a roar play a game and give their best. It reunion, a parade, a promise, a traf- student’s section into a law school hawks -last champions- host the vote of the City Council, the State that shook the nacho cheese dis- makes them grow in every way. fic incident, and possibly a minor with louder pants. Here in Okla- New England Patriots – last losers Legislature or the State’s Supreme penser into a spiritual awakening. Usually a week later, college foot- weather event caused by barbecue homa, Sooner fans expect a perfect of the Big Game. This is when the Court… and the guy running the For one perfect second, destiny it- ball takes over Saturdays with the smoke. The stadium filled in waves: season, and in Stillwater, Cowboy country shifts to the professional concession stand. self seemed to arrive wearing eye- force of a weather system wearing students first, then families, then fans are waiting for the next game game, and living rooms become At Elk City High, the season be- black and too many helmet stick- face paint. Across the country, tail- alumni who pointed toward old against O.U., a rivalry like none command centers of questionable gan beneath lights so bright they ers. Then a sophomore dropped gates begin before the sun has fin- dorms and told stories of legends other, and something that unfortu- strategy, and sports bars are filled could probably be seen from space an easy pass, a coach launched his ished clocking in. Alumni return that grew taller each year and less nately won’t happen any time soon before noon with people wearing by concerned astronauts. Fresh- headset as if offering it to the foot- in faded jerseys from seasons long compatible with physics. When the since the Sooners joined the SEC. jerseys, hope, and wings hot sauce. men carried shoulder pads that ball gods, and the mascot tripped gone, telling stories in which they team ran out behind the drumline, Some alumni still remember the Fantasy lineups are checked one looked less like sports equipment with the dignity of a collapsing pa- were faster, stronger, and personally the noise climbed until it seemed to last time the University of Oklaho- last time by managers hunched and more like portable refriger- rade float. responsible for at least four cham- lift the press box off its beams and ma won the National Champion- over phones like they were defus- ators. Seniors walked slowly and By the fourth quarter nobody pionships that nobody could veri- probably activated every car alarm ship (2000) like if it was yesterday, ing tiny emotional bombs, families seriously, aware this was their “last remembered the mistakes as much fy. Students packed sidewalks like within five miles. and some more who are down to arranged themselves around tele- first-game,” which made them look as the glorious truth: football was marching ants with better chants, A college game has its own kind earth, remember the five playoff visions with sacred precision, and noble, tragic, and also like they back, messy and magnificent, pow- fight-songs bounced between brick of beginning: it carries history in its appearances in the new college fans wearing jerseys bearing names were trying not to cramp. ered by marching bands, pep ral- buildings, and every conversation rivalries and joy in its rituals, plus playoff format for football, the last of heroes, heartbreaks, and one The band tuned up near the track lies, homecoming dreams, and hot ends with a prediction about the several thousand people wearing one of which, late last year which with confidence of a symphony and dogs, nachos and cokes. This first quarterback, the coach, or the rival foam fingers like they had been is- ended with a painful 10-point 34- See FOOTBALL page 7 By Alex Alvarez Valuable Player? have $100 to gamble with? Or bet- MLB BASEBALL After 23 years, Arte Moreno WNBA WNBA Playoff teams are set. Sports Tidbits NFL FOOTBALL Dallas Cowboys wave quarter- back Joe Milton. Sam Howell in ter saying it: “to spend”? TENNIS decided to sell the Los Angeles Eastern Conference: Atlanta dent of the USGA who donated the first 15: USA 13, International line to back up Dak Prescott. Who Novak Djokovic lost in first Angels. What will new owner Stan Dream, Indiana Fever, New York the Cup in 1920. This will be the Team 1. One tie. is back up for Jerry Jones? round of the U.S. Open at Flush- Kroenke bring to the team? The Liberty and Washington Mystics. 51st Walker Cup which is played Ben Hogan: “Walter Hagen is Did you know that Ohio State ing Meadows in NYC. Alexander price tag was $4 billion. Western Conference: Minnesota between the United States and someone I didn’t compete with, and Alabama are tied for first in Zverev is the top seed. Carlos Al- Kroenke owns or controls eight Lynx, Golden State Valkyries, Las Great Britain-Ireland. Record but when he came to town, all players who made it to the NFL. carz is #2, despite not playing for sports franchises including: Los Vegas Ace and Dallas Wings. USA 40. Britan/Ireland 9. One golfers stopped watching him. Sixty-one piece! several weeks. Top American seeds Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, The first playoff game will be Tie. He dressed like he owned the The New York Giants had the are ben Shelton (#8) and Taylor Colorado Avalanche. Kroenke’s on September 27. Team matchups Women Professional: Solheim place and walked and smiled like best defense in Preseason games: Fritz (#9). teams have won two Super Bowls, have not been determined yet. Cup. September 11-13. This will be losing didn’t exist!” 1st against the run 5th against pass; In the women’s side: Aryna Sa- two Stanley Cups, one NBA title, the 20th Cup which was started by Local Golf: Jimmy Clark (Mem- Points allowed 22 (7.3 per game). balenka is seeded #1and Elena Ry- one MLS Cup, two NLL champion- GOLF: SEPTEMBER’S INTER- Karsten Solheim in 1990. USA vs ber at Elk City Golf & C.C. and at Waiting for their first game… Dal- bakia is #2. Best American seeds ships and most recently a Premier NATIONAL MATCHES Europe. Record: 11-8 in favor of Sayre National) and Justin Barrick las Cowboys! are Jessica Pegula (#3), Coco Gauff League Championship. Amateur Golf: Walker Cup. USA. (Sayre National) won the Twister Dallas odds of winning Super- (#4), Amanda Anisimova (#10) Crow-Armstrong vs Ohtani: September 5-6. It is named after Men Professional: Presidents at Elk City. The Twister is the new bowl are +2,500! (bet $100 and win Sources ESPN, Google, MSN Who has the edge in NL Most George Herbert Walker, presi- Cup. September 24-27. This will be Member-Guest at the Club twenty-five times your bet). Do you Sports, On-Line, local the 16th Presidents Cup. Record on