Golf and South Africa are synonymous. The now iconic phrase, "You drive for show and putt for dough" was coined by countryman, Bobby Locke. In fact, he was the original face of South African golf, winning four British Open Championships and popularizing the sport in a once football obsessed country. Fast forward half a century, Gary Player has risen to legendary status among the golfing world. Of course, he was the first man to approach the gentlemen's sport of golf with a physical mindset. Player emphasized the necessity of working out on a constant basis to overcome his 5 foot 7 inch frame, Plus, Ernie Els is a three-time Major Champion, Louis Oosthuizen just demolished the field at St. Andrews' last week, and Tim Clark won the Players' Championship. Moreover, South Africa boasts the 2008 Masters winner Trevor Immelman, the talented, yet streaky Rory Sabbitini and a rising star in Charl Schwartzel.

In short, Locke led South Africa into a golf craze by building courses. He knew that the beauty alone would entice people around the country, specifically the affluent population, to seriously play golf. Not to mention, Locke was cool. South Africans looked up to him as a sign that an everyday citizen could thrive on the world stage. 

Oddly enough, Germany has been mired in a national campaign against golf for decades. The country, as a whole, not only has viewed the sport as elitist, but also as innately insulting to one's masculinity. Dylan Bawden, an English teaching professional, now works at a golf club in Hamburg, Germany, and he recounts one student who was afraid to tell his friends about his love of golf.

I guess such a mentality makes a bit of sense in Germany. The country carries a blue-collar label, and all citizens are committed to work. Golf is viewed as leisure. Certainly, you don't need to be in peak physical condition, and the sport lacks face-to-face competition. Soccer, on the other hand, plays to the competitive nature of the German people, and, coupled with the fact that the country is so successful, it is incredibly popular. 

To find out who is the emerging German star and my favorite to win the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, click here: http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/golf-and-south-africa-are-synonymous.html

-Daniel Radov, Golf Fanatic, CEO NextGenSports

#5: Brett Nottingham, Stanford- Nottingham is a bit like Tim Tebow as a quarterback, but I have this peculiar suspicion that ESPN won't say the name "Nottingham" over 1,000 times in a telecast like they did with the former Heisman winner. He's 6'4" and possesses great passing accuracy. Also a Divison 1 baseball prospect, Nottingham is a top-notch athlete, as his 4.7-second time in the forty would suggest. After committing to UCLA during the Fall, the Monte Vista High School (CA) product changed his mind in January, after deciding that his athletic pedigree and 3.9 GPA would be better suited in Palo Alto than Westwood. 6 TDs in One Game, Season Highlights

#4: Devin Gardner, Michigan- Devin Gardner is the ultimate dual-threat quarterback. Not only can he run the ball better and faster than most of the running backs in the class (4.5-second forty time), Gardner's as legitimate of a passer as they come. With a tall 6'4" frame, instant comparisons to Terrelle Pryor emerge. Gardner is a great leader on the field and has a great feel for passing the football. He'll undoubtedly face some tough competition from Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson for the starting job, but it's possible he could feature in a custom-made formation or just be the outright starter on a Michigan offense that gets much scarier with Gardner behind center.
Playoff Highlights, Rushing Mix, Junior Season Highlights

#3: Connor Wood, Texas- Why is it that the rich just keep getting richer? After graduating campus legend Colt McCoy, the Longhorns add a blue chip recruit in Wood to battle rising sophomore Garrett Gilbert for the starting spot. Wood has the ability to win the job, as he combines great physical gifts with a ton of maturity, both of which are always evident on the field at all times. While being 6'4" and over 210 pounds may suggest that he's a slow, immobile pocket passer, Wood has great scrambling ability and can keep a defense guessing. Highlight Reel

#2: Philip Sims, Alabama-
As for the rich getting richer, this is just flat out unfair. After winning the BCS Championship last season and returning most of their weapons this year, the Crimson Tide land the consensus #2 quarterback in this class. The all-time leader in passing yards in Virginia high school history, Sims is the complete package. He's built like a linebacker and can throw the ball like a young Peyton Manning. The only knock on the Chesapeake (VA) native is that he doesn't scramble as well as people might like for a guy who runs a 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Regardless, he'll be a stud once Greg McElroy graduates.
Highlight Reel

Find out who we rated as the nation's best incoming freshman quarterback, plus take a look at numbers 6-10. Anyone on this list could find himself as the number 1 pick in a future NFL Draft:  http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/college-football-countdown-diaper.html

-DE

UNC Tar Heels 2009

Record: 8-5

Highest/Final Ranking: 18/unranked

Bowl: Meineke Car Care Bowl, lost 19-17

Ever since Butch Davis was hired to coach the North Carolina football team, the program's recruiting and overall record have made very noticeable progressions. The team has strung together back to back 8 win seasons, the first time that has happened since 1997-98. Known more for its basketball than football, UNC looks this year to crack the top 10 in the AP Rankings and conquer the ACC. At NextGen Sports we see the Tar Heels winning the ACC Coastal division in 2010, a bold prediction considering they will have to compete with the likes of Georgia Tech, Miami, and Virginia Tech to do just that.

The Tar Heel's defense is it's greatest strength, and will most likely rank among the best in the nation. Their defensive line is arguably the prize piece, consisting of two future NFL first rounders in end Robert Quinn and tackle Marvin Austin. Quinn, standing at 6'5" and weighing 260 pounds, is built like an elite pass rusher and plays the part as well. The junior, who posted 11 sacks and 6 forced fumbles, proved to be as disruptive to opposing offenses as any other player in the country. NFL scouts are already looking at Quinn as a potential top five selection in next year's draft. The 300 pound Marvin Austin is a hulking presence in the middle of the defensive line. He is unusually quick for a big guy, and can get off blocks with great speed to either sack the quarterback or stuff the run. If Austin can build off his successful junior campaign he should be without a doubt one of the premier interior lineman in all of college football.

The future NFL talents for the Tar Heels' defense don't just end on its front line. Senior linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant are both seen as preseason All-Americans, and with very good reason. They are explosive, fast, and physical athletes who also have innate abilities to get to the football. Sturdivant, specifically, is the vocal leader of the defense and one of the country's most versatile outside linebackers; being able to pressure the quarterback, stop the run, and drop back in coverage. The Heels' secondary is loaded with experience and talent, featuring All-ACC selections safety Deunta Williams and corner back Kendric Burney (right). Williams and Burney, paired with their fellow seniors, cornerback Charles Brown and strong safety Da'Norris Searcy, form one of the best secondaries in the college ranks.
To continue reading about North Carolina and find out about quarterback T.J. Yates and linebacker Bruce Carter, click this link: http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/college-football-countdown-team_11.html

-DE

LSU Tigers 2009 Record: 9-4 Highest/Final Ranking: 4/17 Bowl: Capital One Bowl, Lost 17-19
They're getting restless in Baton Rouge. After winning the 2007 National Championship, Coach Les Miles and LSU have yet to get another 10 win season or bowl victory. The Fighting Tigers and their fan base are yearning for another try at a National Championship after two relatively "down" years. This year in a weakened SEC they should first concentrate on winning the conference. With a strong recruiting class coming in, and returning talent on both sides of the ball, the Bayoux Bengals should absolutely be in the conversation with Alabama for the SEC West.
The Tigers have possibly more unearthed potential on offense than any other team in the country. Sophomore converted wide receivers Russell Shepard and Rueben Randle were Rivals.com top ten blue chips coming out of high school, and the gems of LSU's 2009 recruiting class. Both are former quarterbacks who have size (Shepard is 6'1", Randle is 6'3") and explosive playmaking ability. Shepard, in particular, can also kick return and play tailback as well. NFL scouts are already projecting Randle and Shepard as future high first round picks. The cornerstone of this very talented receiving corps is veteran Terrance Toliver. The 6'5" senior was LSU's second leading receiver last year, catching 53 passes for 3 touchdowns and 735 yards. Look for Toliver to be one of the SEC's leading pass catchers by years end thanks to his crisp route running and physical stature. The Bayoux Bengals' ground game will be headed up by the former prep Parade All-American Michael Ford. Ford will be a redshirt freshman this year, and is fast and exciting to watch. Keep an eye on five star recruit and true freshman Spencer Ware though. A 5'11", 225 pound power back, Ware might be used in goal line situations and on third downs.
The talent of the Tigers' offense will shine through only if junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson (right) is able to step up his game this upcoming season. Last year, the 6'5" Jefferson was brought along slowly but was efficient, throwing for 2166 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions. New wide receiver coach Billy Gonzalez will not only be counted on to manage the high pedigree pass catchers LSU has, but also add life to a Tigers' passing game that finished 97th in the FBS last year. The offensive line protecting Jefferson has been shifted around by coordinator Gary Crowton to compensate for player departures. This unit is anchored by senior Joseph Barksdale, while talented sophomore Alex Hurst has used a strong showing in the spring game to be the leading candidate at right tackle.
To read more about LSU and their defense for 2010, check out this blog:    http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/college-football-countdown-team_18.html

-DE

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in flux. Owner Frank McCourt went through an incredibly ugly divorce, which cost the team over $200 million. It was for this reason that the Dodgers spent little money on free agents in the off season. Come July, McCourt finds himself in even more financial trouble, and the Dodgers have neglected to seriously consider trading for an additional, expensive asset. As a result, general manger Ned Colletti looks to his farm system to bolster an already talent ball club in the hunt for first place in the National League West.

Here is a look at a few potential gems playing in the Dodgers' organization: 

DEE GORDON, SS
His father is three-time All Star Tom Gordon, so he definitely has the family name to live up to, but Dee Gordon (above, right) doesn't seem to be bothered. He continues to impress since his selection in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. Ranked as the 36th best prospect in baseball, the Seminole Community College graduate can best be compared to his idol, fellow shortstop Jimmy Rollins. At 5 feet 11 inches and just 150 pounds, Gordon earned Midwest League MVP honors last year for Single-A Great Lakes, tripling 12 times and stealing 73 bases. In 2010, he has excelled in the lead off spot for Double-A Chattanooga. Gordon has already stolen 33 bases in a half season's work.

Recently, Gordon hit in the number two spot in the All- Star Futures’ Game in Anaheim. He picked up a hit and later scored for the United States' team. If all goes as planned, Gordon should find himself playing regularly in Chavez Ravine sometime next season, likely as a mid-season call-up. At such a point in time, the organization must decide on the future of current shortstop Rafael Furcal. 

To read the rest of this article about the next stars to be featured at Chavez Ravine, check out: http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/next-star-in-dodger-blue.html

-DE

Much ignored in the wake of the deaths of both Bob Sheppard and George Steinbrenner is the success of the Yankees' the pitching rotation. Of course, CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte have produced as always, but Phil Hughes (right) has emerged to infuse youth into the staff.

He grew up in California, just minutes away from Angels Stadium. Hughes, the son of a Vietnam War veteran, was instilled with the values of hard work from a young age. Heading into his sophomore season in high school, unfortunately, he rode the bench. Hughes was small, scrawny kid, and the consensus of coaches believed that his future was certainly not in baseball. All such opinions changed during that spring, however. Hughes grew six inches, and he would go on to lead his high school team for the next three seasons.

In 2004, Hughes entered the draft as a surefire first round pick, and the Angels had the 12th overall pick. With this in mind, Hughes’s dad had told Anaheim's front office that his son would sign immediately following his selection. The Angels, on the other hand, decided to draft star college pitcher Jered Weaver from Long Beach State. Needless to say, the entire Hughes family was crushed.

The 6 foot 5 inch pitcher dropped to the New York Yankees at number 23 in the first round. Although the family was noted Red Sox fans, Hughes signed with the club soon after.

To read about the journey of Phil Hughes from highly touted prospect to struggling start to All-Star, click on the following link: http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com/2010/07/now-uncovered-gem.html                               

-DE

Thank you, Brian McCann. The Atlanta Braves catcher cleared the bases on a double down the right field line in the 7th inning off the White Sox's Matt Thornton. So, the National League will have homefield advantage in the World Series, and Giants fans everywhere should rejoice.

Unfortunately, San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum did not pitch in tonight's All-Star Game. If the 2-time Cy Young Award winner had pitched the game before All-Star Weekend, he would then be barred from pitching at all, but such was not the case. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel simply decided to go with the hot hands in Anaheim, perhaps saving Lincecum if the game went into extra innnigs.

Of course, the move does carry some logic. Lincecum struggled against the AL squad in last season's All-Star Game, in which he was the NL's starting pitcher. Plus, the majority of fans in attendance are rather familiar with the Giants' ace. Manuel likely wanted to exhibit pitcher not seen by the 40,000-plus fans on hand at Angels Stadium.

This year's contest also lacked a home run for the second striaght All-Star Game. One would have to go back to Yankee Stadium in 2008 for a round tripper. Although the 2007 Mid-summer Classic here in San Francisco produced arguably the most famous home run in recent memory, as Ichiro Suzuki slapped a ball of the wall in right-center field. It took an awkward bounce by then-Cincinnati outfielder Ken Griffey Junior, the speedy Mariners' rightfielder rambled around home for an inside the park home run.

Lastly, I thought it was ridiculous that the Orioles' Ty Wiggington earned an All-Star spot. I know his selection came from a rule, which says that each team must be represented in the game, but Pablo Sandoval is clearly better than the Orioles' first/third baseman. Wiggy is a solid player, at best, while "Kung Fu Panda" is a solid middle of the order presence who produces on a yearly basis. Who are you taking? An over-achiever in 2010 or the far superior player? I am picking the latter option in this case, be it Pablo Sandoval.

-Daniel Radov, check out my blog at http://fieldofdreamz.blogspot.com