SPORTS

Paddle Battle

By Steve Lawrence

Iwas talking to a friend about a sports rivalry that is really gaining some traction, and he said, “Yankees/Red Sox?” I replied, “No, the Sox suck. at rivalry’s going backward.” He scratched his head... “Cortaca Jug? at’s not until November.”

I explained that I was talking about “the Battle for the Paddle,” the golf rivalry—now in its 6th year—in which teams assembled by the Fall Creek House and the Glenwood Pines square o to claim (temporary) ownership of the prized Paddle. Cory Hohwald—the Pines’ owner—has had bragging rights three times thus far, while Frank Welch of the “Creeker” has had the paddle twice—has it currently—and hopes to even the score and hold onto it on September 25th.

According to Mike Addicott, the Club Manager at Newman Golf Course, “ e majority of the competitors call Newman or the Trumansburg Golf Course ‘home,’ and the tournament alternates locations each fall.” Joe Ciaschi (Newman’s “uno cial PR guy”) piped in, “We have fourteen 2-person teams, they compete in a Match Play format, and it’s a really fun group of guys that sometimes don’t see each other for another year.” at said, Addicott added, “It’s a friendly rivalry between a group of golfers that have, for the most part, known each other forever.”

Joe—carrying the Paddle around like a mob boss protecting a bag of loot—said, “ ese guys will take it seriously. You want to win eight of those fourteen pairings.” Asked to share some highlights, Mike recalled, “In 2020, Greg Weatherby had a hole-in-one on #3 at T-Burg. at was a highlight for sure.” Mike added, “It’s growing in popularity. It started out as a joke, and everybody really looks forward to it.” Joe added, “Like the Cortaca Jug.”

Okay...the Cortaca Jug now draws over 40,000 people and will be played in Yankee Stadium this year, but the Battle for the Paddle just might be catching up in popularity. I saw the way Ciaschi was holding that paddle. I’m not arguing with him...

Many college teams are in Week 3 by the time Cornell opens its season, but for the Big Red, it was worth the wait, Taking the eld against VMI—on the Keydet’s home eld in Lexington, VA—and coming away with a 28-22 win is a great way to open the season.

If a Defensive Coordinator writes a script he would like to see come to fruition, he dictates that his troops force a three-and-out to give his o ense the ball. An O ensive Coordinator’s scripts says that the QB converts on big third downs, and as requested, sophomore signal caller Jameson Wang did so three times before connecting with senior William Enneking to put the visitors on the board.

While Enneking made the most of his rst two career receptions—scoring touchdowns on both catches—another senior picked up where he le o . Linebacker Jake Stebbins put eight tackles in the stat book, and also came up with a highlight lm fumble recovery. A er Max Lundeen overpowered his opponent to get to the quarterback, perfectly timed his swipe at the ball, and caused the QB to lose the ball, Stebbins alertly pounced on it, completing the kind of big play that puts a lot of wind in a team’s sail. In summary, Cornell started strong, never let up, and I love seeing the Big Red start on such a high note. I unabashedly love the energy, passion and loyalty that Head Coach Dave Archer brings to his alma mater and I would love to see him lead the program for another 20 years.

Joe Ciaschi and Corey Hohwald prepare for the Battle for the Paddle (Photo: Provided)

ere was far less drama here in Ithaca, as the Bombers went to 3-0 with a punishing 52-3 steam rolling of Alfred. e Bombers have a bye next Saturday, and then travel to Hobart on October 1 for their Liberty League opener. ey will host their next game at Butter eld Stadium on October 8, when the University of Rochester comes to South Hill. of imperialism and part of a centuries-old caste system. We ditched it in the 1770s, and if they dismantled it this a ernoon I wouldn’t bat an eye. ( at being said, it’s been 337 years since England last had a King Charles, and as a fellow Charles, I have to say that’s just too long.) e waites Glacier, a/k/a the ‘Doomsday Glacier’, is poised to disintegrate, and when it does it seems likely to raise sea levels by 25 inches over the course of six months. Like if it happens this week, the oceans will rise two feet by March. (I’m going somewhere with this.) at’s the kind of news we’re treated to these days. ere are ads for ball trimmers on television. More Americans can identify an image of Kim Kardashian than one of Ben Franklin. And then there was Elizabeth II, who promised 75 years ago on her 21st birthday, “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service,” and never once broke that promise. She lived her life for other people, according to her own lights, and that made her an island of integrity and grace in the rising sea of horrors that is today’s world. I’m going to miss having her around.

The Talk at

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dynamic Duo Is Astounding

Thank you so much, Ithaca.com, for highlighting how much this amazing organization [Community Arts Partnership] does! e amount of grant funding, programming, and services that this dynamic duo integrate into the community is astounding—I always feel like my donations to CAP are powering art and creativity in Tompkins County! Hardy Gri n

Future Lawyers Pruning Privet

On Friday, August 19, more than a dozen Cornell U. rst-year Law Students joined with Trees Up Tompkins (TUT) to remove extensive portions of invasive privet and to create open spaces for future tree planting near the inlet of Cayuga Lake at Lighthouse Point. For an entire morning, this cohort of students lent their hearts and hands unreservedly to backbreaking tasks in humid, late Summer weather. ese gi ed young adults turned an orientation into sustainable service, as they immersed themselves in preparing land for an upcoming Fall Tree Planting. We are immensely grateful for their spirited presence among us and we commend CU for arranging their placement with us. All are welcome to join in TUT’s Fall Tree Planting from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 24. Contact: www.TreesUpTompkins.org Patricia & Peter Ladley, Ithaca Whether one likes or dislikes a lm is very subjective. It’s obvious you are a huge Miller fan and it is pretty amazing that he has such range. But your generous appraisal of 3000 Years of Longing ignores some pretty basic principles of cinema—show, don’t tell. e lm was beautifully shot, designed, and acted—what’s not to love about Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba? But the insistent voice-over narration of scenes from Jin’s past came across like extravagant pantomimes. ere were moments of poignant connection between Tilda and Idris that almost were worth the price of the ticket. Almost. I am a cinephile and believe in the power of collective lm watching. But this is one where I could just have easily enjoyed those few moments at home. Amala Lane

More Iconic Ithaca Concerts

Richie Havens at the State eater in the 90s. mary14889

There were sooo many iconic shows at Barton Hall! How could anyone forget Blue Oyster Cult, Boston (my personal favorite), Pat Benatar. And Bailey Hall hosted an AMAZING trio of blues masters George Strait (my memory is failing me on this rst one), BB King, and Steve Vaughn, all in the same year. I was lucky enough to see 2 of the 3. As for the WORST band to play Barton I would say it was e Pretenders. A lot of people walked out and went down to the Arcade Nightclub and when the show was over the band themselves came down and the doorman, having heard how bad the show was, wanted to charge them cover. Of course they were upset and wouldn’t pay and eventually just le . Not a good night for them.

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