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Hes a Hall of Famer now, but Stephen Ames isnt ready to give up playing golf just yet. Josh Hill Womens Jersey . Ames was unanimously named for induction into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame on Wednesday, becoming the 74th member of the countrys golfs shrine. And with Ames poised to celebrate his 50th birthday in April, the Calgary resident is planning to play events on both the PGA and Champions Tours in 2014. "Usually you think Hall of Famers are inducted when theyre finished playing," Ames said during a conference call from West Palm Beach, Fla. "I still see myself as a player right now. "Its a great honour, for sure, without a doubt." Ames induction ceremony is expected to be in Calgary in August during the Shaw Charity Classic, a Champions Tour event that Ames is a founding patron of. "The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame seeks to recognize excellence as golfers, contributors and supporters of the game," said Ian Clarke, the chairman of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fames selection committee. "Stephen Ames has excelled on the biggest stage in our sport and it is fitting that he will be recognized for his respective accomplishments." After attending Lynn University, Ames turned pro in 1987. A dual citizen of Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, Ames has recorded 11 career wins. Four have come on the PGA Tour, where he has earned over US$19.5 million. Ames first Tour win came July 4, 2004 at the Cialis Western Open, finishing two strokes ahead of American Steve Lowery. His last victory came in 09 at the Childrens Miracle Network Classic in a playoff with Justin Leonard and George McNeill, both of the U.S. Ames has also won on the European and Nationwide Tours as well as three skins events, including the 05 Telus World Skins Game in Whistler, B.C. when he finished ahead of Jack Nicklaus, John Daly and Vijay Singh. He finished second behind Daly in the 06 event held at Banff, Alta., and third in 07 in Thornbury, Ont. A career milestone came in 06 when Ames captured The Players Championship by six strokes over Retief Goosen. The win was worth US$1.44 million and moved Ames into No. 27 on the official world golf rankings at the time. But Ames said receiving the Hall of Fame nod has surpassed that as a career highlight, although he considers the 2006 win his biggest ever on a golf course. "It was a week of complete mental control, which we all know is very difficult to do, day in and day out," he said. "On the course, that would be it. "Off the course, being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Its very prestigious, very nice." Ames also made headlines of a different sort that year. When asked about top-ranked Tiger Woods prior to the 06 WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship, Ames quipped: "Anything can happen, especially where hes hitting the ball." The next day, Woods thrashed Ames 9 and 8 in their match. Afterwards, Woods was asked about Ames comments and simply answered, "9 and 8." Ames is also active off the course. Last year, the Stephen Ames Foundation funded the inaugural CJGA Stephen Ames Junior Cup. And since 2005, he has hosted the Stephen Ames Cup, a Ryder Cup style tournament featuring a team of Canadian junior players versus a team from Trinidad and Tobago. His foundation also provides funding for junior golf programs and other childrens initiatives in Canada and Trinidad and Tobago. Ames is also involved in the construction of a golf course in Calgary that he hopes will host the Canadian Open by 2018 or 2020. Ames continues to put together his 2014 tournament schedule, adding he has exemption status on the PGA Tour this season. But he said having two separate circuits to choose from is indeed a luxury. "If I miss a few events at the start of the year, I have the option of playing on the PGA Tour or the Champions Tour," he said. "There are a couple of weeks where Im not going to be able to play in invitationals (on PGA Tour) but I can play in some of the majors on the Champions Tour. "Thats a wonderful opportunity that I have and an option as well, so lucky me." The Champions Tour is a circuit for golfers 50 years of age and over thats run by the PGA Tour. And while the Champion Tour competitors might be older, Ames said they still have the burning passion to compete. But there are subtle differences between the two golf Tours that Ames says hes going to enjoy. "The 19th hole might be a little different," he said. "The guys are definitely a little more relaxed after a round of golf and I think the camaraderie is going to be a little lighter, which is fantastic. "Its like playing with your buddies. You finish a round of golf and you go to the bar and have a drink and talk about your round . . . this is going to be a nice setting for me, I quite enjoy that." Benjamin Watson Jersey . A Swiss Federal Tribunal ruling published Friday said that FIFAs disputes panel and the Court of Arbitration for Sport correctly imposed the sanction for Nantes enticing Guinea forward Ismael Bangoura to break his contract with Dubai club Al Nasr in January 2012. Ramon Humber Jersey . The Denver Nuggets played as though they were already relaxing on a tropical beach. Love started practicing early for All-Star festivities, making six of 11 shots from 3-point range and totalling 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 117-90 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday night.PORTLAND, Ore. -- The plan was for Clint Dempsey to go 60 minutes and see how he was feeling less than 72 hours after playing 90 minutes in a U.S. national team exhibition against Mexico. When the one-hour mark arrived, Dempsey and the Seattle Sounders were trailing rival Portland by two goals. He wasnt about to check out. Dempsey scored the first hat trick in his MLS career, including goals in the 85th and 87th minutes to help the Sounders rally late for a wild 4-4 draw with the Timbers on Saturday. "You always feel good when you are contributing, scoring goals or getting assists," Dempsey said. "Im in a good rhythm at the moment and its about continuing that form." Trailing 4-2 for most of the second half after goals from Diego Chara and Maximiliano Urruti early in the half gave Portland the advantage, Dempsey led Seattles stunning late comeback to earn a point in the first Cascadia rivalry matchup of the season. Dempsey scored in the 85th minute to get Seattle within 4-3, a goal that felt was coming with the pressure the Sounders were pushing forward. Seconds later, Seattle defender DeAndre Yedlin was taken down in the penalty box by Portlands Ben Zemanski and referee Hilario Grajeda immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Yedlin said he was hoping to draw a penalty on the play and Zemanski obliged by clipping the young Seattle defender. After a brief discussion with Gonzalo Pineda, who was expecting to take the penalty kick, Dempsey stepped up. He converted the chance, beating former Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Weber to get Seattle even. "That point today felt like more than a point. It kind of felt like a win," Dempsey said. The afternoon was an advertisement for the league, even if it gave the coaches heartburn. Play was wide open and end-to-end. There were 41 shots and countless near misses. There were four goals in the first 25 minutes -- including goals from Seattles Kenny Cooper, Portland Diego Valeri and Dempsey -- along with the two late scores. Marques Colston Womens Jersey. And the biggest star on the field burned brightest even if he was a little tired at the end. "Hes a leader. He wants to lead this team. He wants to show that last year was not the Clint Dempsey that were going to see this year," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. "And he wants to show people hes ready for the World Cup. I think he did that today." Seattle walked off thrilled with the final result and knowing there were other missed chances in the final minutes to get a winner. Meanwhile, the Timbers stood stunned as the worst start in their brief history continued. The Timbers have generally been slow starters since joining the league in 2011, but now have just three points after five games, not the opening anyone in Portland expected after reaching the Western Conference finals last season. "You should never give up 4 goals, and you should never tie a game if you score 4 goals," Portland coach Caleb Porter said. Chara was the star until Dempsey took over. On his 28th birthday, Chara scored in MLS play for the first time since September 2011. Seattle defence was willing to give him space and he took advantage with two perfectly placed shots from outside the penalty box. His first goal in the ninth minute deflected off goalkeeper Stephen Freis hand but had enough force to get into the net. His second goal, and what appeared to be the winner, came from about 25 yards and Frei had no chance at the save. Both times, Seattles defenders failed to step up and defend Charas shot. "I feel good, but obviously completely not happy with the game," Chara said. "We should have won that game, so to score 2 goals, for me, is good, but Id rather see a W than me score 2 goals." Urrutis goal in the 57th minute appeared to give Portland plenty of cushion. But Dempsey said otherwise and both sides had to settle for the draw in one of the wilder matchups of a rivalry dating to the mid-1970s. ' ' ' |
