THOMASVILLE — Bobby Bowden hadn’t teed up a golf ball in two weeks.
That didn’t stop the Florida State football coach from hitting a straight drive on his first shot Monday. It was the first of many.
The legendary coach spent his Memorial Day participating in the Ben Jackson FCA Golf Tournament.
The Rose City has become a home away from home for Bowden.
“We spend a lot more time here than anywhere else,” Bowden said. “The football team has been coming up here the last 33 years on Friday nights. Of course, this golf tournament, I don’t know how long we’ve had this golf tournament. It’s been a long time.
“I’ve watched it grow. I’ve watched it grow from few to many, so it’s done real well.”
The 79-year-old coach has been sick the last couple of weeks, which has kept him away from golfing. The illness wasn’t about to keep Bowden away from Country Oaks on Monday, however.
“I don’t like to miss this one,” Bowden said. “I’ve watched it grow (through) the years. The FCA and south Georgia have really grown.”
The Seminoles football team has grown since Bowden first arrived in Tallahassee. Before his arrival, Florida State had only three conference titles and zero national championships. In Bowden’s 33 years, Florida State has won 12 conference championships and two national titles. Bowden’s success has led him to become the second-winningest coach in Division I with 382, one behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno.
Bowden could lose some of those historic wins, however.
More than two months ago, Florida State’s football program was put on probation after being penalized for an academic cheating scandal that rocked the school’s athletic department. The baseball, mens’s basketball and women’s basketball teams were also affected as 61 athletes were involved. As part of the disciplinary actions taken against the football team, the school was ordered to vacate 14 wins.
“That could happen. Our university has appealed it,” Bowden said. “It seems very unfair to me. I won’t lose a minute of sleep over it. They can take it away — how? — on paper.
“I don’t worry about it. There’s more to life than that.”
Florida State expects to hear from the NCAA as early as to on its appeal of sanctions.
Local Sports
Bowden tees it up
- Local Sports
-
-
Yellow Jackets preparing for upcoming season
Thomas County Central's recipe for success this season is simple: Strong pitching, error-free defense and execution on offense.
-
Night Hawks blast Wolfpack
Thomas University needed a spark.
Trent Stoker provided one, as did Chris Cravotta and Hugh Russell Lee. So, too, did Brett White. -
THS girls look to start region tourney at home
It may be the final day of the regular season, but the postseason begins tonight for the Thomasville Lady Bulldogs.
-
Aiming high
Nick Dodson was a track star on the high school and collegiate levels.
It’s almost time to see how the former Thomas County Central compares against the top professional hurdlers in the country. -
Walking wounded Lady Night Hawks
Thomas University's opening-day lineup will have a different look than what coach Bill Wilson envisioned in the preseason.
The pitching rotation has had to be reshuffled as well. -
Link to Harris English interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89xCdIeqI8Y&feature=youtu.be
-
Singletary honored by Region 1-AAAA
Thomas County Central sports some of the top athletic teams in Region 1-AAAA.
The Yellow Jackets also feature the top athletic director. -
English off to strong start
Harris English is coming off his best finish on the PGA Tour in this, his still very young rookie season.
-
THS tennis teams sweep Central
Thomasville’s tennis teams had successful starts to their ’12 season.
Thomas County Central's didn’t. -
Syrupmaids topple Jackets
It was senior night at Thomas County Central on Tuesday.
A Cairo upperclassman stole the show, however. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
