Paulina Gretzky celebrating with her long time boyfriend, Dustin Johnson’s for his big win at this past weekend’s PGA Tour’s Northern Trust Tournament. Photo Credit: Sam Davis, PGA TOUR.

As a journalist, I’ve had the pleasure of beginning my career young as a 12 year old with an NBA team. Since then, I’ve covered political functions involving Nelson Mandela and his family and even hobnobbed courtside at Barclays Center with Rihanna. However, nothing takes the cake better than being on the scene at a PGA golf tournament.

My first experience with PGA began last while hosting a radio show with CBS I chatted with Zach Johnson. He and I talked about him winning The Masters in 2007, his first major championship where his 289 (+1) tied for the highest winning score ever. “The Masters there was kind of a shock,” Johnson told me.

“Because it was probably my third or fourth year on tour. At that point I had only won one tournament; it wasn’t like I was supposed to win, so there was a lot of shock.”

Johnson also clued me in on what the experience was like to rent out a mansion with fellow PGA’ers Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Jimmy Walker and Jason Dufner at the 145th British Open in Scotland. It was a bromance filled with  brisket tacos, movie nights and golfing from the porch.

It was a flashback to Puff Daddy’s Bad Boys For Life Video where Puff did whatever the heck he wanted to do: played basketball, rode a motorized scooter in the town of Perfect Town, USA and even shot a hole of golf or two off the roof of his sprawling mansion.

Fast Forward to the 2:37 mark and you will see why

Ben Stiller wasn’t feeling it though!! Puff Daddy may have broke a window or two…or three, or four! But hey, who’s counting!

Golf has always been the in thing. The pleated pants, the Titleist golf balls, going top speed in a golf cart AND HEY….Grey Goose vodka and Fuku Chicken are hits. In between setting up shop for my uncle’s 50th birthday party slash Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight party, I stopped by Long Island to attend Glen Oaks Country Club to attend Northern Trust’s PGA Golf Tournament. The Northern Trust is the first of four events in the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoffs.

GMA Host Michael Strahan at The Northern Trust PGA Tour Pro-AM in Long Island signing autographs. Photo Credit: Sam Davis, PGA TOUR.

The stars were out and about: Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan, Paulina Gretzky, daughter of hockey great, Wayne Gretzky and girlfriend to PGA golfer Dustin Johnson were in attendance. That fit with the theme of this year too. PGA went with a different strategy this year. The PGA Tour is keying in on a fans-first strategy coupled with elements like food and fashion.

That said, as a social media influencer and brand ambassador myself, I was impressed with PGA’s mission to incorporate social media in their draw this year. In years past, patrons on country clubs were not allowed to film intricate portions of golf in play. Well, that changed this year!

Additionally, the growing female fan base was catered too! There was tons of wine, Grey Goose and conversation to be had! Respectfully with a hint of joking for referencing purposes, Mitt Romney’s Pay Equity and binders full of women reference would have been spot on at this event!

But I digress!

Millennial women have becoming a focal point for the PGA. They’re looking for more social and fun and they found it. There were young ladies that were alums from Villanova, nearby Hofstra University and Boston College in attendance. Honestly, if women are supporting an event and in attendance, everybody is happy.

The sunlight and the clear skies were perfect for the photo-op!

#NoFilter ⛳️ @thentgolf #fedexcup

A post shared by ? Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@scoop_b) on Aug 26, 2017 at 1:52pm PDT

Even better? Dustin Johnson got the win! Johnson defeated Jordan Spieth in a playoff to win The Northern Trust 2017. Johnson earned his fourth victory of the season, and 16th career, on the PGA Tour. With the victory, he earned the $8.75 million purse.

Spieth led by three shots entering the final round. Spieth carded 12-under through 54 holes, Johnson was in second place and four players were tied for third at 7-under.

I’m genuinely looking forward to next year.

Solid Weekend! Thanks @thentgolf ??#NorthernTrustGolf #FedExCup

A post shared by ? Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@scoop_b) on Aug 28, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT

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The post Scoop B: Attending This Year’s PGA Tour Was Worth It appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Bergen Catholic football coach Nunzio Campanile chatted with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson about hiring of Greg Toal as assistant football coach. Photo Courtesy of Bergen Record

Last week, former Don Bosco Prep high school football coach Greg Toal became an assistant coach at rival Bergen Catholic.

Toal will serve as Bergen Catholic’s defensive line coach, will work with the Bergen Catholic’s special teams and will be the school’s gym teacher.

The move comes after an abrupt exit from Don Bosco Prep, where the school named the school’s former quarterback, Mike Teel as the school’s new head coach,

“We’re really excited to have him onboard,” Bergen Catholic head coach Nunzio Campanile told me on Scoop B Radio.

Bergen Catholic Coach Nunzio Campanile and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson Dropped By Scoop B Radio

“I knew it was the right fit as soon as it became available. As you know, we have a long-standing relationship and it goes back a long time.”

There are a ton of ironies in Toal’s move. Firstly, this is a homecoming for Toal who began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Bergen Catholic in 1976.

Additionally, Campanile was an offensive coordinator under Toal from 2000-2009 at Don Bosco Prep before leaving and becoming a head coach at Bergen Catholic.”I knew that we would work really well together, said Campanile.

“We share the same values, we share the same philosophies on a lot of things when it comes to football and he was in a tough spot and he helped me out many times when I was younger and I felt like it was a great opportunity for the two of us to work together.”

New Bergen Catholic assistant coaches Greg Toal and Fred Stengel conducting football practice. Photo Courtesy of the Bergen Catholic Football Twitter

Toal, held a 178-29 coaching record for 18 years at Don Bosco Prep. He also brought national championships, state championships and introduced the state of New Jersey to the notion of a traveling schedule and playing other schools with similar prestige.

While at Don Bosco, Toal’s  coached players that would go on to the NFL like Ryan Grant, Corey Wootton and the Cleveland Browns’ Jabrill Peppers.

Not only was Toal added to Bergen Catholic’s coaching staff, but so was former Bergen Catholic head football coach, Fred Stengel. “Its amazing,” said Campanile.

“I have relationship with these men going a long time. With Coach Stengel, I probably met him when I was 11 years old; Coach Toal. I went to his football camp when I was a kid. I’ve known these guys a long time.”

It feels like WCW is reprising the roles of NWO, except it is the coaches edition! Somebody get Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Scott Steiner on the line!

Toal has coached high school football for 33 years and has an all-time 305-55-2 record.

He’s ranked 10th all time in wins in the state of New Jersey. He’ll bring his experience to a Bergen Catholic football team that has not won a state championship since 2004.

Bergen Catholic finished 7-4 last season and lost 28-7 to St. Peter’s Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 semifinals. The Crusaders return this season led by senior quarterback Johnny Langan, a Boston College commit, defensive end Antonio Alfano, as well as Rahmir Johnson, Javonta Jean-Baptiste and Josh McKenzie.

Mark your calendars for October 27th. Bergen Catholic will travel to the campus of Don Bosco Prep. Coach Toal will be on opposite sidelines facing his former team in what is expected to be a good game. It will be both school’s 69th meeting all-time. Don Bosco leads the series between two schools, boasting a 38-28-2 record.

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The post Nunzio Campanile On Greg Toal Joining Bergen Catholic Coaching Staff: “It’s Amazing” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.