Displaying items by tag: sports

When autumn arrives, golf courses across the U.S. are draped in vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, making each round a visual delight. From the crisp, cool air of New England to the scenic mountains of the Ozarks, fall is one of the best times to tee off. 

• Sugarloaf Golf Club in Maine, with its challenging mountain terrain and sweeping views of brightly colored maples, offers a truly unforgettable experience.
•  In Massachusetts, Crumpin-Fox Golf Club sits in serene isolation, with its standout par fours and natural beauty enhanced by the Berkshire Mountains' autumnal splendor. 
• Further south in Missouri, Ozarks National at Big Cedar Lodge combines dramatic ridgelines, sinkholes, and thrilling holes with panoramic views that are brought to life in the fall. 

Ideal playing conditions, warm days, and colorful backdrops make these courses a must-visit for golfers seeking both challenge and beauty before winter sets in. 

Finsum: Whether it's the foliage or the perfect fairways, autumn golf is an experience not to be missed.

October 12, 2024, is set to be a landmark day for college football, potentially one of the best single-day lineups in the sport’s history. While the playoffs still draw some of the most eyeballs, these matchups are offering a supreme experience to those watching through the television and on the tailgate. 

Major matchups include No. 2 Ohio State facing No. 3 Oregon, No. 6 Ole Miss battling No. 13 LSU, and No. 8 Penn State taking on No. 23 USC. These high-stakes games fall right in the heart of conference play, with playoff implications hanging in the balance. Along with Florida vs. Tennessee and the Red River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma, this day will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the season. 

Star players and top programs will clash in what could be season-defining battles, making October 12 a must-watch for fans.

Finsum: While the NFL might dominate popularity and ratings, the mystique around these college football days is unparalleled. 

The 2024 NFL season is already in full swing, but it’s the growing emphasis on international games that is catching people’s eye. The season kicked off internationally in São Paulo on Sept. 6, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers week one. 

On Oct. 6, the NFL returns to London with the Minnesota Vikings playing the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the only NFL-specific stadium outside the U.S. The following week, the Chicago Bears meet the Jacksonville Jaguars, also at Tottenham. London's Wembley Stadium will then host the Jaguars and New England Patriots on Oct. 20, with the Jaguars playing two consecutive U.K. games. 

Germany’s Allianz Arena in Munich will feature the Carolina Panthers versus the New York Giants on Nov. 10, continuing the league's commitment to German fans. In recent years, the NFL has pushed to broaden its reach overseas, with growing interest and potential for more games in new markets beyond these established locations.

Finsum: This coupled with the NFL pathway program begs the question as to whether the NFL is going to have a team located in Europe in the coming years.

In 2023, pickleball’s popularity surged, with 13.6 million Americans taking part, almost matching baseball's 16.7 million players. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, continuing the sport's rapid growth. The rise in core participants, those playing frequently, grew by 111%, highlighting a dedicated player base.

Other sports also saw increases, with off-course golf, ice skating, and bowling all experiencing growth. Overall, 78.8% of Americans engaged in sports or physical activities, marking a steady increase over recent years, particularly among those aged 65 and older.

While team sports faced a decline in core participation between 2019 and 2022, 2023 showed a rebound, with notable increases in indoor soccer and team swimming. 

Finsum: In many ways recreational facilities are becoming total social experiences offering the necessities for an ongoing communal experience. 

The 2024 Summer Olympics are heading into their second weekend, marked by historic moments and unforgettable highlights. 

Simone Biles' triumphant return captivated audiences as she led Team USA to gold and won the all-around competition, solidifying her status as the greatest gymnast of all time. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is on the brink of achieving a career golden slam, needing just one more victory in the men's singles tennis finals. Controversy has also emerged, with the Chinese swimming team embroiled in a doping scandal after positive tests for banned substances were attributed to food contamination. 

This combination of thrilling athletic feats and off-field drama has made the Paris Olympics memorable. The excitement continues to build as athletes push the limits of their sports, creating a truly historic event.

Finsum: Additionally, the social media world went crazy as a variety of characters emerged out of the competitive shooting competitions.