| OCR Text |
Show cmé -« W The Salt Lake Tribune SPORTS Wednesday, July 30,2003 aa : =5 “Everyone ofthem is a gentleman arriors and they are all great guys,” Leslie - said. “They respect themselves, each Pacific Islanders . . ersdeverybodyaround then Leslie says an event early in the sea- create familyvibe < son indicatestheattiadeofthe Paci Islander players. Oleveo broke his arm in the team's first game. © Continued from Cl “I walked into the hospital to see him and he told me ‘Sorry I hurt so papepe area they wentto war,” hesaid. “Weare the feene ‘The five Polys apologeticomeandhei sting tere witha short for Polyne- jon arm. is a perfect exam- ple of these guys.” sian as theycall themselves, had an immediate and influential impact when the Warriors made their professional with Pa: never played cific Islanders, but he quickly learned football debut in March. to appreciate “They brought in a family atmo camaraderie and their size sphere right from the start,” said Utah quarterback Danny Ragsdale. “They kind of tone us down and makeus a lit tlemore serious. They just don't screw “Here are these huge and intimidating men, but they make you feel like part oftheir family,” Ragsdale said. “It was a really good thing for a little quar. around. Guyslike me want to have fun and keep things loose. Theyare the terback like me to feel like I have these big brothers looking out for me. They otherside of that and you needthat bal iiectnianate . Pufuafu and Amitoelauarejoined oe by. Kautai Oleveo, Lance Sopoaga and Walter Fiefia as Pacific Islanders on rare. ‘Twootherplayers with ific Islander heritage, Henry Kau fiisi and Jasen Ah Youplayed for Utah “ » From/left, Alfred Tufuafu, Wes Amitoetau, Lance Sopoaga and Kautal Oleveo are among “Polys” providing balance to the Warriors. “We comefrom places where survival was a necessity of coming together “The Polynesian guys on this team came together first as Polynesians, but defensive line coaches, says Pacific Islanders grouptogetherinall aspects of as clanorvillage, It is the natural thing to do, especially when you area it didn’t take long for the entire team to feel that bond and becomepart of it.” life in the United States, not just in foot- minority in the population,” said Muai, whoplayedat Ricks College in Idaho. By Dou Ferguson The Aswociated Prema RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. All he hadto do was makepars at Royal St. George's and Tiger Woods might have captured the silverclaretjug. Hestill wonders how the 1999 U.S. Open might have unfolded had he made that short par putt on the 17th hole at Pinehurst No. 2. And what about last year at Hazeltine? Woods had a 12foot birdie putt on No. 13 as he wasclosing in on Rich Beem at the PGA Championship. He three-putted for bogey, and evenfourstraight birdies at the end wasn’t enough for him to recover from that blunder. So, Woods remains stuck on eight majors. Heis not evenhalf way home to the 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, the only record that really matters. Does it haunt him? Hardly Every opportunity lost in a major none as great as the British Open makes Woods realize heis lucky to even bein range of the Golden Bear. 1.ing his teammates in ritual. Warriors coach Lee Leslie got afeel for the Pacific Islander influence on the fi football field while serving as a gradu—_ate assistant to coach Ron McBride at vokier hacka me, ue : “Thats a cach flexeaene teal comes the University of Utah. When the Warriors began to put a roster together, Le- out, but it will be good for the Greyto see it.” _slie turned to Polynesians for drive, tal- hounds ent and character. bpretty@sitrib.com Woods notworried about major slump Nicklaus’ 18 majortitles that me.” “g short by injuries. Feliz Muai, oneof Utah’s offensive. Bear watching: Tigerstill is 10 wins short of =e Haka chants have been going so well iB as the Warriors prepare for the NIFL Danowr Cuan La/TheSalt Lake Tribune eT fuafu having second thoughts about this year, but hadtheir seasons cut 1] are there to eeszonwircless veri We never working for yous Twice as Hot! “Did he win themall? No. Did he get beat? Yeah,” Woodssaid. “Healso blew a couple here and there. He madehis share of mistakes, But he put himself there more than anybody else. And that's the key.” Woods has not blown a major yet. He has hadatleast a share of the 54-hole lead eight times, and Get our newest flip phone at our lowest price ever. All on the Best National Wireless Network. won them all. Woods probably has 8 majors ahead of him, so that’s bound tochange. “It's probably going to hap- pen, bec: 's happened toeveryone else,” he said. “But if you're there enough times, you're also going to win your shai That's what Woodstook away from the British Open, where bogeys on twoof thelast four holesleft him two strokes behind Ben Curtis. Woods spent a week diving off thecoast of Central America, re- charging for the PGA Championshipat Oak Hill in two weeks, his final chance this year to win a major. He continues to see the big even as everyone elseis pshots. year ago, some people assumed Nicklaus included that Woods might not be as motivated for the PGA Champion. ship because helost his bid for $3Q99 LG ¥X3100 for ‘tes $50 mail-in rebate (589.99 activated phoneprice) thecalendar Grand Slamwith an ish Open. Now, somebelieve Woods is piling the pressure on himself to “If he wins half of those second-place finishes let's avoid his first major-less season in five years. make it nine that's 27 majors,” Woodssaid, his eyes wideningat the others,” he said. “Same fo- the thought of such an outra. cus, geous number. preparation.” eRe)(coil wel and get one FREE. The 18 majors are impressive 81 in thethird roundat the Brit: enough. Whatreally gets Woods’ at tentionarethe 19 times Nicklaus finishedsecond. New 27 agreement requiredper phone. 400 ety rot rd win the PGA Championship and N Same mind-set. Roamingor Nationwide tW) curead “T'll treat this the sameas all UTTTTears Same "$39 TESTtheBEST eresin ueee a Sa ee WIRELESS NETWORK IN AMERICA, But don’t just take our word forit. If you're not 100% satisfied during Term bd lays, simply returnyour phoneand pay for only the service PeMeOAcmeenn Tg For overnight delivery to your doorstep: E> 1.800.2 JOIN IN E> verizonwireless.com 1.800.256.4646 Poeces erie cetera 1082 P. Union vd FarCa at Fon 201-568-5154 omy ee Mise ofthe mat, nat Maier ach tor2n8-0433 ooo Newt Mull Kosh Peatvines DIAMOND Center of the mad, na. ureCTY Meet 8 Frank onvance 801-221-8818 wat ee or Supe Yue Pac ge M «6. in fe madNa at Wek pt Feshion Pcs Mal 01892-4202 abiha | pra Marvels Garden Plaza oan | Verse Wendt Contr ®)) RadioShack, ee ‘ in oink 801-501-7683 01-461- cons ‘sa $35 activation toe fine Madu sown tesr,RrOA Wntoe : delivery whens * “i i Jono F Masri]The Aameetated Prom {Tider Woods wit! seek his first major of thi"Poar at the PGA Champlonship. 3 7 ee eee eee Bae beter: Recenen Cig Pen 6 oul werat £108 termination tee tine " tan ankcoprorcnt nd 5 | |
