Champions
Long after Super Bowl LIII ended in sweet victory for my New England Patriots, I found myself unable to sleep and was left pondering the future of this historic franchise and its two constants; Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. I once again ventured down the rabbit-hole of the most classic, unquantifiable sports debate; who had a greater impact on the other’s career: Brady or Belichick? Would one man’s achievement be as impressive if they were not linked to the other person?
Earlier in the day, Rickie Fowler captured his fifth professional win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open just hours before the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl title. With visions of the PUMA Golf “secret room” still fresh in my head from the 2019 PGA Merchandise Show, I was left to ponder this; would Rickie Fowler have become the unrivaled golf style icon of the PGA Tour without PUMA? Could PUMA have become a leader in golf apparel innovation, design, and style without Rickie?
In the end, I decided it was unanswerable. As a way to embrace sleep, I just allowed myself to appreciate the beauty of each; individually and collectively. I couldn’t determine who brings more value: Brady or Belichick. Fowler or PUMA. However, I did determine that there are a few non-debates: Rickie & PUMA are cool and the Patriots are the single greatest dynasty in American sports history!
Equality
Cameron Champ did something really cool on Friday. He wore one black and one white golf shoe to commemorate the start of Black History Month.
“It’s the start of Black History Month so I thought I’d kick it off and support it,” Champ said. “With my interracial background, my dad’s side being African-American, my mom’s side being Caucasian, it’s something that means a lot to me and something I wanted to support.”
Nike In Play
As you are well aware by now Nike dropped the Air Max 1 G this past week. They released two special edition “High-Heat” versions that I wasn’t sure we would actually see in play. Well, I guess I was wrong….
See Also: Nike Air Max 1 G: Bringing the High Heat
Harold Varnar III teased us with the next big release from Nike; Air Jordan Concord Golf Shoes. These babies are set to drop on February 15 and retail for $220. You can expect demand to be through the roof.
Green With Envy
Arizona State University alum, Chez Reavie kicked around in a custom pair of G/FORE Longwing Gallivanters. One day I will get a pair of these…
Meanwhile, Reavie’s neighbor in Scottsdale, Arizona, Aaron Baddeley killed it in his Ping Rope Hat and Johnnie-O Hinkley Striped Prep-Formance Pique Polo. Bold stripes seem to have taken a back seat to micro-prints this season, but Baddeley masterfully paired this color blocked polo with light gray pants and (gasp) a white belt. It worked.
JT’s Jailbreak
Justin Thomas looks like a fugitive on the lam from the Keystone Kops during the first round of play.
The great ones, like Tom Brady, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas understand that some days you don’t always have (or look) your best. When that happens you better be ready to follow that up with a championship-caliber performance. Thomas did just that on Friday and Saturday! Highlighted by the gray plaid trousers and the Polo Golf Merino Wool V-Neck Cardigan.
Shoes are now the fashionable accessory. They really spice up a kit. I did like all of JT’s apparel. Fun, different, you know its him. I like that because he stands out.