Michael Wetzel - Decaturdaily.com

Local baseball experts like Yankees, Cardinals

The long Major League Baseball season is over, and the playoffs will fill October. But which team will be crowned the World Series champs? Last year, The Daily polled 19 area baseball experts and … more

10/7/09 | 346 views

46-year-old Reist can still play the game

Jimmy Reist could only shake his head after Sunday’s final round of the 42nd annual Spirit of America golf tournament. The 46-year-old member of host Burningtree Country Club had just witnessed … more

7/6/09 | 978 views

Spirit leader leaves his ego behind

Josh Jones is a changed man. Last year as an 18-year-old, Jones rode into town toting a plus-6 handicap in his bag and a world of expectations on his shoulders. Burningtree Country Club pro Jim … more

7/4/09 | 977 views

Hawkins won’t forget ’08 disaster

Burningtree Country Club’s hole No. 10 waited for Hunter Hawkins on Thursday afternoon. The two have a special relationship. At 12:20 p.m., Hawkins arrived with his driver in hand and looked … more

7/3/09 | 963 views

Former club pro chases Spirit, dream

The year was 1982 and an 18-year-old hotshot golfer from Selma made an eagle 2 on No. 1 at the Burningtree Country Club in the opening round of the Spirit of America golf tournament. That freshman … more

7/2/09 | 1188 views | 1 comment

Spirit golf expects a strong field

Jim Settles probably has seen nearly 2,500 golfers tee off in the Spirit of America golf tournament. This year, Settles, the PGA Golf Professional at the host Burningtree Country Club, believes it … more

6/18/09 | 1223 views

Cardinals get the nod, just barely

We’ve heard plenty of hype about Super Bowl XLIII for the past two weeks. more

1/29/09 | 1566 views

Area experts favor Angels, Dodgers to win World Series

With the Jim Thome’s homer sending the Chicago White Sox to the postseason Tuesday night, Major League Baseball’s regular season came to an end wit more

10/1/08 | 1715 views

A world comes together in Atlanta

While the Atlanta Olympics are perhaps best known for a fatal bombing and transportation gaffes, my most vivid memories paint another picture of the world event. more

By By Michael Wetzel
Assistant sports editor | 8/10/08 | 1614 views

It’s not easy for local stars at Spirit golf

In 41 years, no Decatur area golfer has been crowned the Spirit of America golf tournament champion. When the awards honoring the top 15 finishers and top juniors were distributed late Sunday afternoon, no Decatur area golfer’s name was called. more

By By Michael Wetzel
Assistant sports editor | 7/6/08 | 1626 views