Recognizing the Champion

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Gary WoodlandOn the TunneySide of Sports June 24, 2019, #749 Recognizing the Champion

After further review… The closing comments from the players in the USGA’s 119th Open held at Pebble Beach golf course were of championship caliber. The winner was Gary Woodland, a former University of Kansas Jayhawk, who birded the 18th and final hole of the tournament. If you’ve played golf and birdied your final hole, you walk away with a positive feeling – no matter your final score. Woodland had a great 4-day score of 271 well below the usual 280. He was not on most “experts” list to win. With so many great golfers on the pro-circuit today predicting an eventual winner is a daunting task.

Brooks Koepka was a favorite attempting to win three consecutive U.S. Opens, which is more than can be expected even for the G.O.A.T.s who have played this challenging game. Koepka, who looks like he could be a tight end, said afterward that he played as well as he could, but “Woodland just played better.” Ya gotta appreciate that positive attitude while giving recognition to the winner. It takes nothing away from Koepka. One should always strive to give his/her best effort but “stand by the side and cheer as the winners go by” – the closing line of  “Prayer of a Sportsman” which my dad often recited to me.

Speaking of dad, Koepka said in an interview after the tournament that his dad was “always hard on me – expecting me to do my best every time.” Brooks said he never regretted that. Woodland said similarly by thanking his dad for “his guidance and confidence” throughout his life. Note the pairing of those two characteristics – guidance and confidence. It is the hope – and message here – that our young athletes today appreciate a stern approach given with support in building their confidence.

“Sometimes it wasn’t meant to be,” said Koepka and followed with “I gave it my all every time, every shot. I played every shot I wanted to.” He lost-out being a three-time U.S. Open champion, yet he praised Woodland  with “my hat’s off to him.” That’s a true champion.

Will you give your best effort every time, yet pay recognition to your competitors?

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Jim’s thirteenth book and the third in a series ‘Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ will be published July 1st. To get an advance and personally autographed copy with free shipping, please send a check for $20 to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 or use PayPal.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

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 To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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Warriors Inspiration

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Golden State WarriorsOn the TunneySide of Sports June 17, 2019, #748 Warriors Inspiration

The coming together of three women with entrepreneurial spirits and similar interests created a company called InspireCorps located in New Haven, CT. InspireCorps’ aim is “developing and inspiring people to be at their best as individuals, as leaders, and within teams. Today’s business environment is unpredictable and moves at a rapid pace” explains Co-Founder and Chief innovative Officer Allison Holzer.

This brings to mind what Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr, faces. As I read the article about who InspireCorps is and what their four core capabilities are, it surely rang true what Kerr and his T*E*A*M have accomplished to win their A Championship. Let’s examine InspireCorps’ four cores and how they apply to the Warriors or to any team.

#1. Clear Boundaries and Focus. Inspiriting teams have goals and roles that are clear and agreed on, and members held accountable.” When you watch Curry, Thompson, Durant and D. Green, it is easy to observe their adherence to this premise.

#2. Communication and alignment. Inspiring teams adopt practices and build systems that support strong coordination, high integrity, and the sharing of information.” When you watch the verbal and non-verbal Warriors communication on the court and observe each individual as they gather together during a time-out, one can see strong communication taking place.

#3. Connection, Trust, and Inclusion. Inspiring teams promote emotional safety, so all members can be themselves and feel confident to contribute.” That trust among the Warriors players is evident as they touch hands before and after a play, whether is was successful or not. Further, Kerr will often remind his players who may be having an “off-night” to keep shooting and doing what they do best. This reminder keeps their confidence level undamaged.

#4. On the Hunt. Inspiring teams are never satisfied.” That’s quite obvious with the Warriors as one reviews their won/loss record. Does that sound like greed? Not at all. On the hunt simply means each will give his best effort every time! Teams of this nature inspire others, and particularly opponents to improve their individual and team strengths.

While the above statements in quotes are about business from the InspireCorps company, the message can be used for sports teams and family structure to help others give their best effort.

Will you put InspireCorps four core principles into what you do?

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Jim’s thirteenth book and the third in a series ‘Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ will be published July 1st. To get an advance and personally autographed copy with free shipping, please send a check for $20 to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 or use PayPal.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

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 To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

Posted in Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Tribute Revisited!

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

RJ HarperOn the TunneySide of Sports June 10, 2019 #747 A Tribute Revisited!

After further review… Today begins the week of the 119th U.S. Open to be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Honorary General Chairman is R.J. Harper, posthumously honored.  R.J. passed away November 8, 2017, after 14 months battling pancreatic cancer. He will be missed.

Harpers! The Pebble Beach Company with the cooperation of the U.S.G.A. has established a venue adjacent to the 10th fairway called Harpers. All U.S. Open ticket holders are welcome. His presence will be felt throughout this week.

Here’s his story:

“R.J.” was all the title he needed. Everyone knew who he was, but many didn’t know how he achieved his success. He grew up in a simple, unsophisticated environment in Memphis, Tennessee. He was always a straight-forward, easy-to-meet guy – a guy you’d like to have as your best friend. He was one of mine.

In this twenties, he made his way across the U.S. to achieve his dream of playing golf on the Pebble Beach Golf Course. He began working there as a marshal for $5.00 an hour in the mid-1980s. His daily routine of hard work, friendly attitude, and perseverance helped him work his way through the culture of the company to become the Executive Vice-President of Golf for the Pebble Beach Company’s four golf courses. His stature in that role ranked him among the best!

Hall of Fame golfer Jack Nicklaus said of Pebble Beach that if he had one last game to play, he would like it to be those 18 holes at Pebble Beach. Nicklaus is among those names you could count as a close friend of R.J.s You’ll find every legend of the game on that list. Maybe first and foremost, would be the late Arnold Palmer. Arnie considered R.J. a dear friend, although the age difference would make R.J. the age of his son.

As R.J. fought that dreaded pancreatic cancer his two sons, Tucker and J.T. were at his side throughout, as was his former wife Kelly, along with his boss, Bill Perocchi, Pebble Beach CEO and his wife, Nanci.

My friendship with R.J. began 30 years ago. He was a member of the Jim Tunney Youth Foundation Board of Directors for whom he served with dignity. He is missed every day.

Will you emulate that R.J. smile and friendliness when you meet others?

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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Jim’s thirteenth book and the third in a series ‘Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ will be published July 1st. To get an advance and personally autographed copy with free shipping, please send a check for $20 to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, CA. 93953 or use PayPal.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

 To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more. Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

Posted in Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged , | 1 Comment