A u gust 1 5 ,1 9 9 0 - T h e P ortlan d O b se r v e r --P a g e 5 Portland Observer W ÖTHE LOCKER ROOM Sandra Wagnerr H ack in strid E THROUGH IT ALL • After major surgery to both hands and extensive rehabilitation, Sandra Wagner has successfully re-entered the game of golf, placing first in the Continental Airlines tournament. BY ULLYSSES TUCKER, JR._______ day. She had major surgery on both hands and like most athletes, Wagner, won­ andra Wagner has long been re dered if her game would ever be the spected around Portland as one of same. The rehabilitation process can be the best female amateur golfers in a the drain emotionally, psychologically, and city, just so happens she is black. Race physically, but she worked hard and en­ has nothing to do with her God given dured the dark moments. If Wagner’s ability, but race, high membership cost recent performances are an indication at all white country clubs and a segre- that she is well on her way back, oppo­ gated/elite attitude prevents her from nents had better watch o u t playing where she desires. In her coming out party, Wagner Wagner, a 1972 graduate of Grant placed first in the Continental Airlines High School is not so much concerned tournament at Colewood Golf Course. about where she is allowed to play golf, She shot an 80 (low gross) and at the being treated well is. Wagner speaks Western States Golf Association Leisure candidly about discrimination at local Hour golf tournament at Rippling River courses, unfair treatment, and how atti­ Resort,Wagner placed third with scores tudes need to change in the future. of 92/87. She also placed fourth in the “ I don’t think it’s right” , she said. Charlie People’s Celebrity Pro-Am. “ Anybody that’s involved in any sport “ I feel pretty good about the way activities, regardless of their race, creed, I’ve played this summer,” she said. “ I or color, should be treated fairly. Being would like to get my handicap down a a black woman or black person period, little more, but I’m happy with my prog­ you’re treated bad in some cases. People ress. I ’ve worked really hard to get back can be rude.” to this point and I still have a long ways Last summer, Wagner spent more to go.” Wagner is scheduled to play in time reflecting about whether or not she several more tournaments before the end would be competitive again as opposed of the year, including a Western States to the controversy surrounding golf to­ Golf Association sponsored event in Las S Vegas. (November) Wagner first started playing golf ten years ago. Had her father, Sameul Har­ vey Wagner, Jr. (known as “ Trucky Sam” ) obtained his way, his daughter would have been participating in the sport much sooner. Sandra wanted no parts of golf. Basketball was the sport she chose over “ dads’ advice” . Today, she plays golf at every opportunity and she dreams of qualifying for the LPBA tour. “ My dad stayed on me a long time” , she smiled. “ I would say that he has been the biggest influence on me as a golfer. All 1 wanted to do back then was shoot hoops. I wish that I would have started earlier, but I have no regrets. I’ve had a good time learning the game and I’m still learning.” When questioned about how much of golf is mental, Wagner, who is a member of the City of Portland Golf Ad­ visory Committee, believes that while physical talent is important, much of the game is mental. “ I would say three-quarters of the game is mental” , she said. “ You have to have a lot of patience, be able to think, and be able to stay on top of situations that might come up during the course of play. You also have to know when to use the right club and to use it. Strategy is very much a part of this sport.” Despite the stigma and negative press surrounding golf, Wagner still encour­ ages young people to get involved in the sport. At thirty-six years of age, Wagner says that you can play golf well into your senior citizen days and young people should be aware of that fact. “ You can almost play forever’ ’, she laughed. I advise young people to take some formal lessons and spend some time on the driving range. Fundamentals are very important in golf and so is practicing. Actually, it’s really not that difficult to gel started. You can get a cheap set of clubs to start with and im­ prove them as you go along.” “ Sandi” , as she is called has friends, has another piece of advice for young people. Stay in school, work hard on your dreams, and believe in yourself. Camp Rosenbaum Celebrates 20 Years NFL Preview Bv Aaron Fentress N ext w eek the N F C A F C fa v o r ite s : C h ie fs , B e n g a ls a n d D o lp h in s WEST CENTRAL Scalping C hiefs: They say defense wins football games and Kansas City has plenty of defense. But quarterbacks win Super Bowls and the Chiefs have a big question mark behind the center. Steve Dcberg will probably be the man and could be good enough to win. He is not big play quarterback but he is very accurate and makes few mistakes. A consistent quarterback helped out by a stingy defense, led by second year linebacker Derek Thomas, and probably the best secondary in the game and the power running of 250 pound Christian Okoye (1,480), the Chiefs could make a surprise run at the Super Bowl. 10-6 D esperate D enver: The Broncos have been to the super Bowl three of the last four years and have nothing to show for it. Except the satisfaction of making it. Denver is still a solid ball club with many offensive weapons and a steady defense. But other AFC teams are catching up, namely Kansas City, and the Bronco's days are numbered. 10-6 R ebu ilding R aiders: The Raiders arc definitely a team on the rise. They have drafted we!! and now have a coach (Art Shell) who can relate to their owner A1 Davis. On offense everything is there, Marcus Allen, Willie Gault, Tim Brown, and of course Bo Jackson. The only ingredient missing is a steady quarterback. On defense Howie Long regained his all-pro form last season and will again lead the Raiders who are on the rise but need a couple more years. 9-7 T h e Spoils o f San Diego: The Chargers have a good defense and are building a good offense. Although they won’t be a contender this year the Chargers will improve and could easily beat some playoff teams possibly knocking off a few and spoiling somconcs year. 7-9 S u ffering Seahaw ks: The Scahawks had their best team ever from 1984-87. Now those days are over. Warner and Largcnt are gone and the defense is old and worn. Scahawk fans will have to wait a while for a winner. 4-12 B iting Bengals: Icky Woods will be back from a season ending knee injury in 1989 to team up with James Brooks (1,239) in the backfield. Add the AfC's top rated passer, Boomer Esiason and give him two pro-bowl targets, Tim Mcgee and Eddie Brown, and you will score point, lots of points. On Defense the Bengals possess an exceptional defensive secondary anchored by Safety David Fulcher. Up front things are a little uncertain but first round pick, linebacker, James Francis, should make a difference right away. If Francis emerges and the defense stays average the offense will lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl, n-5 H um ble H ouston: Over the last two years Houston has had the talent to go all the way. Now they have the same talent with a different coach (Jack Pardee) and a different offense (The run and shoot). If the new coach and his new toy can play together without any hassles Houston could run away with everything. But more often then not a new coach with a new offense experiences confusion his first year. The oilers will continue to 1« underachievers but make the playoffs 10-6. M udvilie Brow ns: For the third time in four years the Cleveland Browns lost the AFC title game to the Denver E-oncos last season. Behind quarterback Bernie Kosar, running back Eric Metcalf and defensive all-pro’s Clay Matthews, linebacker, and Frank Minniefield, defensive back, the Browns could make a run at the division title but their Super Bowl chances are growing dim with age. iliere will be no celebrating in Mudville..... uh, uh....Cleveland, come January. 9-7 Pesty Pittsburgh: Although the boys at the top of the Central have more talent the Steelers will not lay down and let themselves be pushed aside. Last year Pittsburgh came from nowhere to make the playoffs The same could happen in 1990 but not likely, there's still too much inespcrience. The Steelers are dangerous but average. 8-8 EAST Fish ready to fly: With Dan Marino throwing the pill any offense can be deadly. Toss in Duper and Clayton, at wide receiver, along with 6’6" tight-end Ferrell Edmunds and you have an explosive passing attack. Although that is old news in Miami, running back Sammie Smith is not. If Smith improves on his successful rookie season Miami could have it's first 1,000 yard rusher since the 70's Which will only enhance the passing game. On the defensive side things are not so pleasant. Last year the Dolphin D finished 12th in the AFC in yards allowed. For Miami that was an impromevent and they must continue to improve that defense to ever make a run at the super Bowl. But for now things are good enough for a division title. 10-6 T h e B ickering Bills: Last year the Bills won the division and have the talent to repeat again. The only problem is wether or not they will become a team united and not divided. Players criticised eachother through the press, coaches threw eachother through walls following film sessions and the once Super Bowl favored Bills fell short and apart Unity is not alive in Buffalo. Still if they can get through the personal problems the Bills have enough talent in quarterback, Kelly, receiver, Reed, linebacker,Bennett and running back, Thomas, to stampede past the Dolphins. 9-7 C old C olts: What happens when you trade away the future (draft picks) to win now and your only means of winning are an unhappy running back (Eric Dickerson) and a questionable rookie quarterback (Jeff George) ? You go 6-10, at best. Jetlag Jets: If Ken O'Brian can live up to his $1.3 million contract and deliver the ball to All-Pro receiver A1 Toon and number one pick Blair Thomas can move the ball on the ground the Jets could move up to third. But chances are, none of those things will happen.4-12 Pathetic Pats: There are some teams you feel sorry for. Here's one of them .No quarterback, no defense, no win. 3-13. August 12-17,1990 August, 1990 marks the 20th year the Housing Authority of Portland and the Oregon National Guard have teamed up to send low income public housing children for a week at a youth citizenship camp at the Oregon coast. This unique partnership enables 135 young campers to leave public housing developments for their first view of the ocean, nights around a campfire, and plenty of tender loving care from the volunteer housing and National Guard staff. This year, the traditional 100 camp­ ers from Portland are joined by 25 10 - 12-year-olds from the City of Salem Housing Authority and five each from the Polk and Yamhill County Housing Authorities. About 35 of the campers are from HAP’s Columbia Villa and North Portland. Camp Rosenbaum 1990 includes two new programs for the campers. I.B.M. is donating 32 computers and two staff members to introduce the children to the computer world. They will all have daily sessions learning how to make comput­ ers interesting and fun. The Police Ac­ tivity League Portland police officers will work with the children each after­ noon on athletic activities and self-es­ teem building. NIKE joins I.B.M. and the PAL program as the veteran Camp Rosenbaum supporter. It has once again donated athletic shoes for each of the young campers. Each day brings new adventures to Camp Rosenbaum campers, including field trips, arts and crafts, and the chance to catch their first fish. The days start off with a strong anti-drug message that helps them to leant how to “ Just Say No” when they return home. The 100 member Camp Rosenbaum staff works hard to give plenty of support, encour­ agement, and one on one attention to the campers, many of whom do not receive much at home. Camp Rosenbaum is an excellent opportunity to open new hori­ zons forchildren who may be surrounded by drugs, gangs, and poverty. 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Expert local growers and ar­ drome, chronic inflammation of tendons tisans will occupy up to 60 booths to present in the wrist, plan to attend a free seminar their best in fresh gourmet greens, edible flow­ on Thursday, Sept. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. at ers, nursery products and handcrafted items. Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Demonstrations on growing, garden design Center, Administration/Education Build­ and food preparation will also be offered. ing, 2255, N.W. Northrup. Vancouver Farmers market is open Au­ Jerry Nyc, M.D., who specializes in gust 18th and each Saturday through October surgery of the hand, and Jose Ochoa 27th from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on East Fifth and Broadway Streets, immediately off .ARMERS j L lARKE M.D. director of the Neuro-muscular the City Center Exit from the 1-5 freeway. clinic, will discuss: definition of carpal There is ample free parking and C-Tran will provide shuttle service in the market tunnel syndrome; causes and early diag­ vicinity. Entertainment and special activities for children make this a real commu­ nosis; treatment options; and current nity event research. Gala Grand Opening events arc set for September 1st and 2nd. Those interested The program is free, but preregistra­ in being a vendor can contact Mike Posey at 206/696-8121 or 254-5280. tion is required by calling Good Samari­ The VFM is sponsored by the Vancouver Farmers market Association, down­ tan’s Community Education department town businesses, and the City of Vancouver. at (503) 229-7561. 1990 SEASON OREGON THUNDERBOLTS Sat Sat Sat Jul. 28 Aug. 18 Sep. 1 Sat Sat Sat Sat Sep. 15 Sep. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Eugene Blast Federal Way Jets Snohomish County Blue Knights Federal Way Jets Tacoma Bengals NWFL Playoffs NWFL Championship 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 2:00 PM Civic Stadium Gresham High Clackamas High Noon Noon Civic Stadium Civic Stadium FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (503) 256-0753 Civic Stadium - Dowtown Portland • Burnside at SW 18th Gresham High - Bumside/Division at Mam Street in Gresham (I -84 East to Gresham Exit) Clackamas High • S.E Webster Road in Clackamas (Milwaukie Express Off 1-205)