A Penn State Track and Field Alumni Golfer Needs Your Help

Munya Maraire was in a serious car accident in South Africa and had to have his left arm amputated. There is a site established to give him financial help which is really needed.  Please do what you can!

Munya Maraire.

Giveforward Site

Thanks to The Director of Youth Development Artie Gilkes for the link.

Penn State Track and Field Alumni in Africa

I know of two Penn State Track Alums doing good works in Africa.  I have nothing but respect and admiration for both of them.

We all remember how gamely Munya Maraire handled a golf club for the very first time in our tournament.  He is now coordinating Track athletes in his native Zimbabwe. With great success, may I add.

Janet Norem is also on the big Continent, doing great Missionary works since 2002.  I posted her blog on the right sidebar which explains more than I can, but I recently put her to the test with a number of questions.  She has kindly responded:

 

Ok, here goes.  Since 2002 I’ve been part of a mission outreach team based first in Malawi (until 2008) and then Mozambique. The place where the team lives and works is your basic rural African village setting.  Among other things I’ve used my training in ag to try to help people eat more throughout the year and increase their incomes.  Midway into 2009 I had to return to the U.S. to help out my mom, and now I live in California and work for the team remotely.  I am able to make short trips (1-2 months) back to Mozambique; my next one is scheduled for  the last week in June.

1. What have been your most rewarding experiences?

 When we moved to Mozambique I was able to rent a place in a village, while the 2 families on our team rented houses in town and spent a year finding villages to move to and building houses there.  I spent much of that time with a mountain bike and a gps, traveling from village to village and mapping roads, trails and village locations and names (“Good morning! What is the name of this village?”).  That was a time when I often thought to myself, “I love my job!”  Beyond that it has been rewarding making friends with people in my village as well as neighboring villages.

2. What has been your most exciting experiences?

I’m not much of an adrenaline junkie, but most of my heart-pumping episodes have involved transportation, whether trying to keep my truck tracking straight over a log bridge, careening down a hill on the back of a bicycle taxi with the wind blowing alcohol fumes into my face, or nearly any trip involving a minibus.

3. The place you enjoyed the most?

One of my most miserable races and enjoyable vacations took place at the same place: Mount Mulanje in Malawi.

4. Did PSU Track/XC prepare you for any of your work?

Definitely.   Aside from learning how to handle chaos and dysfunction, I sponsored a running club in Malawi for about 3 years. 

5. Do you still run? 

Yup.  I’ve been a member of the San Luis Distance Club (San Luis Obispo, CA) for the past 20 years,   But I love running in Mozambique when I’m there: endless trails to run (and get lost) on.

6. Any thing you care to add. The canvas is blank (as is my mind!).

Everyone on our mission team runs, and this has not gone unnoticed by the locals.   Once the lady who washes my clothes was asked what the job of the white people was, and she answered quite seriously: “To run.”   

That's Janet on the bottom right at a 2008 Reunion of the Women's team.

Munya Maraire Has the Best Excuse

Munya Maraire braved the harsh conditions of the Elks Club in 2008 despite having never golfed before.  He held his on on the course because of the great equalizer, Best-Ball (Captain's Choice).  He won't be able to make it this year, and has the best excuse of all.  He won't be on this continent, as he is back in Africa helping talented youth athletes repeat his journey to Penn State! 

Munya's journey to Penn State is quite interesting and was a little more difficult than most of ours.  I salute him in his endeavors in South Africa and his native Zimbabwe, as I know his job is not easy.  Currently in Zimbabwe a $100 Trillion Zimbabwean  note is worth the equivalent of less than $7 American!

Emunael Mpanduki, a PSU freshman is adjusting well to the rigors of Central Pennsylvania and his first ever glimpse of snow!  We all wish him well.

Hole-In-One Madness: Part 2

This great green surrounded by a bunker is in the shape of the continent of Africa with Madagascar off to the right as an island of rough. Hitting a hole-in-one here would net you a cool $1,000,000! Trouble is, its about a 600 yard par 3. Don't worry its mostly 600 yards DOWN to the hole! It is a 310 yard shot horizontally, so many of us are out of the running!

In order to tee off, you must take a helicopter ride to the top of a mountain. The balls take 30 seconds or so to hit the ground. (Our divot tools, "Mike" and "Barney" would come in handy if you actually hit the green!)

Check out Padraig Harrington and his friend as they attempt the $1,000,000 shot. Maybe we should hold our tourney here next year. I'll see if Munya Maraire can hook us up!



Or you can just come to our very own Golf Tourney and receive $10,000 for a hole-in-one on the 18th at The Elks Club. It's only about 180 yards and a golf cart ride to tee off!

Hat-tip to fellow LMTC teammates Mark Haywood and IT Czar Jeff Sanden for alerting me to this great Extreme par 3.

Another Day, Another Continent and More!

Today's horde of web-site hits included the African Continent and Cost Rica, (that's Central America, not another continent for us non-liberal arts graduates). World domination continues unabated.

The hit from Harare, Zimbabwe is probably from Munya Maraire, winner of 2007's best shot. Let's all hope that capitalism and democracy returns to his country soon. At last report, Munya was working with the youth of his country, promoting sports. As an aside, he went to high school in Alaska. Now that's getting around.

The hit from Costa Rica baffles me, but it must indicate South America will be succoming to the temptations of PSU Track Alumni Golf soon.

2008 Coach Harry Groves Memorial Golf Tournament

Time is running short for this year's tournament. Get the word out to anyone who comes to mind. Remember, golfing ability is not high on the list of requirements. Even my name is on the Stanley Cup, er, the Memorial Trophy. Last year a sprinter from Zimbabwe participated without ever holding a golf club before. (Munya Maraire) He was the recipient of two glorious prizes: furthest traveled and worst shot. Costs are up this year, so $150 dollars is required for the greens fees, cart, lunch, beverages on the course and post tourney awards ceremony. Anyone wishing to join Clark and Coach's foursome can still bid until 5/18/08. Nothing like paying extra for more abuse! The Elks Club is again privileged to host our appearance. http://www.golflink.com/Golf-Courses/course.asp?course=948345

The Hampton Inn has a special rate for us ($89 at last check). http://hamptoninn1.hilton.com/en_US/hp/index.do Just use the special code PST when booking a room at 814-231-1590. The Friday night get-together starts at 7:30PM at the meeting room next to the main lobby. Pizza, beer, soda, water and various snacks are available for the low, low price of $10, even for recent graduates without jobs.

Kudos go to Clark Haley, who always puts in the work to keep this tradition going. And don't forget Harry Smith, who was volunteered this year to assume the duties.