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Melanie van Zyl
Howzit
20 Years of Natural Wonder at iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Imagine a place where hippos and humans live side by side. A place where Humpback whales breach just beyond the breakers in the Indian Ocean and the endangered Black rhinoceros finds safe harbour.
The name 'iSimangaliso' means miracle and wonder, and you certainly find it in spades when exploring this precious park.
The 332000-hectare iSimangaliso Wetland Park stretches from the iMfolozi swamps and Maphelane in the south stretching all the way north to Kosi Bay, where it meets the Mozambican border. It all exists thanks to mining. The rolling dunes of this area are rich in titanium, but their pillaging was halted after public outcry and the area was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1999.
Tata Mandela put it best with this popular quote: "iSimangaliso must be the only place on the globe where the world's oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world's biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world's oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world's biggest marine mammal (the whale)."
The park and World Heritage Site is most easily accessed from the tropical village of St Lucia, but not many know that it is divided into two sections.
It's time to meet the Western and Eastern Shores.
Isimangaliso: One fine evening in the West
'By 2025 the plantations should be removed', said my guide, Shaun, at Makakatana Bay Lodge. 'Once these trees are harvested, no more pine or eucalyptus will be planted'. Makakatana is the only concession lodge in the Western Shores section of the park, which is accessed by the Dukuduku Gate.
Making my way from west to east, this lodge makes the perfect start to a three-day stay in iSimangaliso. This area of the park is divided from the Eastern Shores section by the winding St Lucia Estuary. The access gate was only installed in 2013 because this area was previously covered in forestry plantations, which was not very inviting to tourists.
Over almost a decade, iSimangaliso has removed thousands of hectares of alien plant life rehabilitating the natural landscape so the historically occurring game could return and flourish once again.
Connected via a series of boardwalks, to keep you out of the hippo highways that lead to water and allow the timid bushbuck to tiptoe below, Makakatana Bay Lodge offers six elegant bungalows. They feature zen-like sliding mesh doors that invite the dune forest setting inside and plenty of fresh air. Historically, Makakatana Bay, perched on the edge of Lake St Lucia, was a commercial crab-fishing hotspot and you can still find the old concrete block building where they were stored away from the sun once fished from the water.
A game drive in the area now yields sights such as journeys of giraffe, dazzles of zebra, grumpy buffalo bachelors and - if you're lucky - even herds of elephant. Although we didn't see them, we certainly heard them cracking through branches in the surrounding bush when we sat around the fire to a fine dinner. Thicktailed bushbabies also joined us, hopping about in the branches above. Their eerie cries joined the sounds of snapping branches and hippos harrumphing nearby, only to be punctured by a hyena whooping into the night. I took a moment to appreciate the noise. This incredible chorus didn't exist a few years back and it was all conducted below a blazing canopy of stars.
The following morning, I set sights on the beach. The only way to get to the ocean is by going around and driving back into the town of St Lucia. Taking it easy, I meandered the uMphathe Loop (with its Kweyezalukazi Lookout) and uMdoni Loop - both easygoing self-drive game-spotting routes - scouring the dry palmveld for creatures great and small. Giraffe have claimed this landscape as their own and elephants seem to prefer it here too. The uMthoma Aerial Boardwalk was a welcome break from the car and I got out to climb into the canopy of trees to see the sprawling Lake St Lucia from above and even Cape Vidal in the distance. My next destination.
Finding Wild waters in the East
The last time I visited Cape Vidal I was roughly seven years old. I used to visit often with my folks back when you could still drive on the beaches and there are photos of my sister and I buried in the sand, like the precious turtle eggs that call this area home. To honour my inner child, I started my exploration of the Eastern Shores with a snorkel safari. Rick and Elise Stadler are passionate St Lucia locals and share these wild waters with visitors coming to Vidal almost every day. They know where the currents are, how to find colourful shrimps, the best spots for ogling an octopus and point out diamond rays hidden in the sands.
Beyond the rocky reefs, there are also Humpback whales to be spotted. Recently, WildOceans, Wildlife ACT (a conservation monitoring programme and Fairtrade-accredited volunteer project) in association with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and various other conservation bodies and universities conducted the first humpback whale survey in nearly thirty years. If visiting in winter, you'll find the whales working their way along this migratory route, moving north to breed in Mozambique from June to September, then doubling back during spring to reach the nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica.
This section of the park is best for coastal camping, close-to-shore snorkelling and leopard-spotting. Just a couple of days before my plunge into the Indian Ocean, Rick and Elise had spotted a leopard with cubs on an early drive into the park to meet clients. Home to tropical dune forest thickets running along the coast of the Eastern Shores, leopard are often spotted in the park and their prints have even been found on the beach sand. These highly adaptable creatures are shy but they are often spotted in the village of St Lucia too.
After a morning spent in the water with Rick and Elise, I make my way back to the said village. In kilometres, the drive is relatively short, but there are plenty of viewpoints and bird hides to see along the way and I enjoyed an entire afternoon exploring the Eastern areas of the park. The best stops are kuMfazana Pan on the Forest Loop drive, views over Catalina Bay and kuMziki lookout on the way to Mission Rocks - my last beach destination in the park. It's better suited to fishing than swimming, but I am here for neither.
Taking advice from the locals, I parked the car and walked past the fisherman, heading north. As the name suggests, Bat Caves is full of bats. Unusually full. The migratory Egyptian fruit bats can form colonies in these caves numbering up to 5000 or more in winter, but it's the solitary walk there that came highly recommended. Just me and the wide, scenic beach, where, hoping hard, I studied the sands for any paw prints.
Back in the car, I drive the last stretch to St Lucia. Picking up speed as the sunset draws nearer and with it the gate's closing time, I snatch sight of a real-live leopard just as it darts swiftly across the tar road. It's so quick and nimble I wonder if I really did see it. Only the presence of another car, it's inhabitants just as awe-struck as me, proved the sighting to be true.
To end off a wild day, there's one last adventure. I wanted to experience the shores a little differently and enlisted the help of Kian Barker to see it under the cover of night. The owner of Shakabarker Tours, Kian has been driving here for over a decade and shows us how chameleons glow in the dark.
With a light shining on them, chameleons give off a bright glow so they're easier to spot when hidden in the foliage. Kian particularly wants to show me the tiny and endemic Sitara's Dwarf Chameleon, but we find bushpigs, buffalo and more on the way.
St Lucia: An unusual Island Town
Technically, St Lucia is an island - and I'm not talking about the famous one in the Caribbean. Completely surrounded by a park, this village is ensconced by wilderness with proof in the fact that hippos walk the streets at night in search of grazing, leopards are often caught cruising around on camera, bushbuck and duiker tend the lawns and many gardens feature warnings signs against the wildlife. By basing yourself in the village you get the best of both worlds - bush and beach with easy access to cocktails and croissants should a craving kick in.
I end my stay with a classic. The St Lucia Estuary cruise is a sedate way to get close to the river horses and flat dogs of this sprawling lake system. There are hundreds of hippopotami that call these waters home, fish eagles cry out from tall river-side branches and it's estimated that there are over 1000 Nile crocodiles cruising the area.
Watching all this wilderness from the boat, I wonder if Nelson Mandela could've added some more achievements to iSimangliso's track record. Not only is this magical place home to the world's oldest land mammal, biggest terrestrial mammal, oldest fish and biggest marine mammal. It's also the domain of the one of the oldest predators on earth (the crocodile), a sanctuary for one of the most persecuted large cats in the world (the leopard) and a testament to the fact that humans and hippos can (and should) live together.
Where to stay in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
1. MAKAKATANA BAY LODGE
Makakatana Bay Lodge is a luxury four-star, all-inclusive lodge situated inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in the Western Shores section. It's a real spoil.
2. Enduduzweni Treehouse
Enduduzweni Treehouse is a sweet stay tucked into the back of Elfie Camp's back garden in the town of St Lucia. Set high amidst branches and birds, there's also a complimentary bicycle to explore town (minimum two-night stay),
3. Cape Vidal campsites
Cape Vidal campsites offer incredible access to the beach, but is sheltered by a small dune. Watch out for the mischievous monkeys. There are loads of rock pools and prime snorkelling areas close to shore for enjoying the marine marvels of this protected coastline.
4. Lodge Afrique
Lodge Afrique has been revamped and features delightful Afro-chic touches, is cleverly laid out using a boardwalk and feels absolutely tropical. Just eight thatched suites offer an intimate four-star stay.
5. St Lucia Ecolodge
St Lucia Ecolodge has water-saving showerheads, electricity-saving LED lighting and a variety of room options for differing budgets (ask for the sea view rooms - unusual in St Lucia). Ask about their special 'feast and beast' combos which includes dining at the on-site Hog and Hippo Bistro and park activities.
6. Sunset Lodge
Sunset Lodge is in the town of St Lucia offers affordable self-catering log cabins that face the estuary and a beautiful central firepit. Try to nab the very front cabin for the best views.
A version of this story first appeared in Sawubona magazine.
It looks like paradise :-)
Melanie link
It sure is! I was really blown away by the amount of activity on offer, the affordable accommodation available and the sheer diversity of wildlife.
Marilyn Harley
Lovely article Melanie and such professional photos. I go to St Lucia every time I visit South Africa and love the place (will be there next week, as it hapens), however, I also truly love Kosi Bay. Look at Chinerera Eco Lodge (my Brothers Lodge) Isimangaliso Park is so diverse and the whole area has so much to offer
La Mavuso
WOW! Melanie! Your pictures are just too beautiful for words! Absolutely enjoyed this article
Close To Jo'burg
Tweets by @Melanie_vanZyl


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Former Birmingham radio station 107.7 The X was responsible for breaking a lot of acts in the 90s and early 2000s; folks like John Mayer and Train. And matchbox twenty, a band that went on to arena rock success, first found its audience when Program Director Dave Rossi decided to play a cut from the debut, Yourself or Someone Like You, that was not being promoted as the single.
That album would went platinum 12 times. Though lead vocalist Rob Thomas has also gone on to a successful solo career, the band reconvenes as time permits. They've released three records since, the most recent, North, in 2012.
Guitarist Paul Doucette named the band. He doesn't really have an explanation for where it came from, but it was his idea that stuck. Ahead of their return to the Magic City, Doucette chats about Rossi's decision that propelled the band to superstardom and what to expect of the band's future. Continue reading →
Filed under Music.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today reported its results for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Net income for the 2017 third quarter was $47.6 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, compared to $47.6 million or $0.84 per diluted share for the 2016 third quarter. Third quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.95, a 13 percent increase from the 2016 third quarter. Third quarter adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $92.5 million, compared to $82.0 million in the prior-year third quarter, a 13 percent increase from the 2016 third quarter.
Adjusted diluted EPS for the third quarter was $0.95, a 13 percent increase from the third quarter of the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA totaled $92.5 million for the third quarter, a 13 percent increase from the third quarter of the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA from hotel franchising activities for the third quarter increased 9 percent from the third quarter of the prior year to $94.0 million.
Total revenues and hotel franchising revenues for the third quarter both increased 10 percent from the third quarter of the prior year.
Domestic royalty fees for the third quarter totaled $98.3 million, an 8.4 percent increase from the third quarter of the prior year.
Domestic system-wide revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 2.1 percent for the third quarter compared to the third quarter of the prior year. Occupancy and average daily rates increased 70 basis points and 1.2 percent, respectively, in the third quarter compared to the same period of 2016.
Effective royalty rate increased 19 basis points for the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of the prior year.
Domestic franchised hotels, as of September 30, 2017, increased 2.8 percent from September 30, 2016.
Quality Inn surpassed 1,500 open domestic hotels during the third quarter, and the number of domestic hotels under this brand increased over 7 percent from September 30, 2016.
Domestic and international rooms, as of September 30, 2017, increased 2.1 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, from September 30, 2016.
New, executed domestic franchised hotel development contracts totaled 133 in the third quarter. Executed domestic franchised hotel development for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, totaled 415, a 10 percent increase from the same period of the prior year.
The company executed 24 new domestic franchise agreements during the third quarter for its upscale brands, Cambria Hotels and the Ascend Hotel Collection, a 71 percent increase from the same period of the prior year. The domestic pipeline for the company's upscale brands now exceeds 135 hotels.
Domestic relicensing and contract renewal transactions totaled 121 for the three months ended September 30, 2017, a 6 percent increase from the same period of 2016.
The company's total domestic pipeline of hotels awaiting conversion, under construction or approved for development, as of September 30, 2017, increased 16 percent to 751 hotels from September 30, 2016.
The new construction domestic pipeline totaled 530 hotels at September 30, 2017, a 26 percent increase from September 30, 2016.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company paid cash dividends totaling approximately $36 million. Based on the current quarterly dividend rate of $0.215 per common share, the company expects to pay dividends of approximately $49 million during 2017.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company repurchased $9 million of common stock under its share repurchase program as well as repurchases from employees in connection with tax withholding and option exercises relating to awards under the company's equity incentive plans. The company currently has authorization to purchase up to 4.0 million additional shares under its share repurchase program.
Pursuant to its program to encourage acceleration of the growth of the upscale Cambria Hotels brand, the company advanced approximately $75 million in support of the brand's development during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The company also recycled approximately $29 million of prior investments in Cambria Hotels development projects, resulting in net advances of $46 million for the current year. Advances under this program are primarily in the form of joint venture investments, forgivable key money loans, senior mortgage loans, development loans, mezzanine lending, and through the operation of a land-banking program. On September 30, 2017, the company had approximately $244 million reflected in its consolidated balance sheet pursuant to these financial support activities. With respect to lending and joint venture investments, the company generally expects to recycle these loans and investments within a five-year period.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company accelerated certain compensation expenses totaling $12.0 million in conjunction with the company's chief executive officer succession plan. In addition, the company recognized an impairment on a below market lease intangible recorded in conjunction with the company's acquisition of an office building leased to a third-party in 2014. The impairment of this below market lease intangible resulted in a reduction to the company's selling, general and administrative expenses totaling $1.2 millionduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. These special items impacted diluted EPS by $0.11 per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the company recorded an executive termination benefit charge of approximately $2.2 million. This special item impacted diluted EPS by $0.02 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
The company evaluates the non-GAAP measures presented herein that exclude executive termination benefits, impairment of below market lease costs and acceleration of the company's executive succession plan because those non-GAAP measures allow for period-over-period comparison of ongoing core operations before the impact of these charges. These non-GAAP measures, which are reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures in Exhibit 6, include adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted hotel franchising selling, general and administrative expenses, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted hotel franchising EBITDA and adjusted hotel franchising margins.
Adjusted EBITDA for full-year 2017 is expected to range between $294 million and $298 million.
The company's fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted diluted EPS is expected to range between $0.60 and $0.62.
The company expects full-year 2017 adjusted diluted EPS to range between $2.84 and $2.88.
The effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 33 percent for the fourth quarter and 32 percent for full-year 2017.
All estimates for 2017 exclude costs associated with the company's executive succession plan and impairment of lease acquisition costs.
Adjusted diluted EPS estimates are based on the current number of shares outstanding, and thus do not factor in any changes that may occur due to new equity grants or any further repurchases of common stock under the company's share repurchase program.
Adjusted EBITDA from hotel franchising activities for full-year 2017 is expected to range between $301 million and $305 million.
Net domestic unit growth for 2017 is expected to range between approximately 2.5 percent and 3 percent.
RevPAR is expected to increase between 1 percent and 3 percent for the fourth quarter and range between 2 percent and 3 percent for full-year 2017.
The effective royalty rate is expected to increase between 17 and 19 basis points for full-year 2017 as compared to full-year 2016.
Net reductions in full-year 2017 adjusted EBITDA, relating to the company's non-hotel franchising operations are expected to be approximately $7 million.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share: Adjusted net income and diluted EPS excludes the impact of executive termination benefits, impairment of lease acquisition costs and the acceleration of the company's executive succession plan. We exclude these items because they occur infrequently and can vary considerably from period to period without reference to the company's operating performance. We consider adjusted net income and diluted EPS to be an indicator of operating performance because excluding these items allows for period-over period comparisons of our ongoing operations.
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization: Adjusted EBITDA reflects net income excluding the impact of interest expense, interest income, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, other (gains) and losses, equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, mark to market adjustments on non-qualified retirement plan investments, executive termination benefits, impairment of lease acquisition costs and acceleration of the company's executive succession plan. We consider adjusted EBITDA to be an indicator of operating performance because we use it to measure our ability to service debt, fund capital expenditures, and expand our business. We also use adjusted EBITDA, as do analysts, lenders, investors and others, to evaluate companies because it excludes certain items that can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. For example, interest expense can be dependent on a company's capital structure, debt levels and credit ratings. Accordingly, the impact of interest expense on earnings can vary significantly among companies. The tax positions of companies can also vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the jurisdictions in which they operate. As a result, effective tax rates and provision for income taxes can vary considerably among companies. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes depreciation and amortization because companies utilize productive assets of different ages and use different methods of both acquiring and depreciating productive assets. These differences can result in considerable variability in the relative costs of productive assets and the depreciation and amortization expense among companies. Mark to market adjustments on non-qualified retirement plan investments recorded in SG&A are excluded from EBITDA as the company accounts for these investments in accordance with accounting for deferred compensation arrangements when investments are held in a rabbi trust and invested. Changes in the fair value of the investments are recognized as both compensation expense in SG&A and other gains and losses. As a result, the changes in the fair value of the investments do not have a material impact on the company's net income. These amounts are excluded from EBITDA as they can vary widely across reporting periods based on the performance of the investments and are not an indicator of the operating performance of the company.
Hotel Franchising Revenues, Adjusted Hotel Franchising EBITDA, Adjusted Hotel Franchising SG&A and Margins: The company reports hotel franchising revenues, adjusted hotel franchising EBITDA, adjusted franchising hotel SG&A and margins which exclude marketing and reservation system revenues; the SkyTouch Technology division; vacation rental activities including operations that provide Software as a Service ("SaaS") technology solutions to vacation rental management companies; and revenue generated from the ownership of an office building that is leased to a third-party. These non-GAAP measures are a commonly used measure of performance in our industry and facilitate comparisons between the company and its competitors. Marketing and reservation system activities are excluded from these measures since the company is required by its franchise agreements to use the fees collected for marketing and reservation activities; as such, no income or loss to the company is generated. Cumulative marketing and reservation system fees not expended are recorded as a liability in the company's financial statements and are carried over to the next year and expended in accordance with the franchise agreements. Cumulative marketing and reservation expenditures in excess of fees collected for marketing and reservation activities are deferred and recorded as an asset in the company's financial statements and recovered in future periods. SkyTouch Technology is a division of the company that develops and markets cloud-based technology products, including inventory management, pricing and connectivity to third party channels, to hoteliers not under franchise agreements with the company. The operations for SkyTouch Technology and our vacation rental activities are excluded since they do not reflect the company's core franchising business but are adjacent, complementary lines of business.


Located in scenic Culpeper, Virginia, Belle Courts is a comfortable community which provides one, two and three bedroom apartment homes. The apartments feature updated kitchens with new appliances including dishwasher and disposal and wonderful views of the countryside. Laundry facilities are located in every building and are just steps from the apartment.
Residents enjoy monthly activities in the Community Room, private parking and access to on-site tot lots. Some income restrictions apply. Please contact the management office for a tour and application.


Here is my card for the newest Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge.
The current challenge is birdhouse. I just love all the samples the design has posted. I just had to play along! Maybe you will too!
Have a terrific day and I'll see you again tomorrow!
Darling card Susie. Love the sweet birdhouse and the cute critters... I really like the bring colors, especially framing the card. Thank you for playing along with us at the Curtain Call.
Oh, this is so adorable! Super sweet take on the inspiration photo!
oh, my! this is darling! love the colors and your sweet kitty. thanks for linking up to curtain call.


We need to spread the gospel seed, but the germination and growth are God's responsibility.
Fifty years ago, a man sent seeds to India and Pakistan and saved a billion lives. Jesus talks about seed, too, and stresses the importance of planting. The harvesting, however, belongs to God.
For material based on today's epistle text, see "Cheating Death," June 14, 2009, at HomileticsOnline.com.
He's been called "The man who saved a billion lives." Ask your congregation if they can guess about whom you're talking? Chances are, no one will know the answer: Norman Borlaug -- definitely not a household name. So it's not surprising if absolutely no one guesses correctly, or even knows who this guy is once you tell them.


Iceland – Ukraine predictions for World Cup Qualification match at Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavik. The guests are able to grab all three points. Read on for live streaming info and our free predictions. Do you want to watch live streaming of Iceland – Ukraine bet live? Go to bet365 Live Streaming and place winning bets!
Ukraine managed to lead Group I for one day, while the Croats were finishing their match against Kosovo and took three points with great difficulties, returning to their place at the top. Many wrote Ukrainians off after the first rounds, but after they changed head coach, the team starts to play more confidently and now lags behind the leader by only two points. Yellow-blue will finish the group stage with home game against Croatia, which remains the only team that was able to beat Shevchenko's boys. Most likely, the duel in Kiev will be will be a crucial moment in the struggle for the trip to Russia, but for this, yellow-blue must beat their main competitor today. The first leg in Kiev was played without spectators. Finnbogason managed to score a ridiculous goal already in the 5th minute, Yarmolenko levelled the score in the first half, but the game still ended in a draw, although Konoplyanka could bring his team three point at the end of the match, but did not score a penalty. In any case, the Ukrainians seemed a stronger side then.
After the furore at the European Championships, everyone started talking about the strength of the Icelandic team, but few believed that they would be able to play at such a high level for a long time. Nevertheless, the hosts won all the games at their ground, including the most important against Croatia. In the last game Hallgrimsson's men suffered a disappointing defeat in Finland, which gives the right to think about the guests` success today, who easily coped with the Turks. Sure thing, Ukraine has a much stronger squad and if Andrey Shevchenko can find the right words to motivate his players today, they will take at least one point in Reykjavik.


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Larry Collett is the co-founder of Charleston Leaders, a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of fostering and developing leadership in our community. They do that with various programming focused on leaders and leadership development, including a partnership with FranklinCovey where they fund and implement Leader in Me in K-12 schools in South Carolina.
Larry is also the president and CEO of netGALAXY Holdings, an investment, development, acquisitions and real estate company with interests in various companies, ventures, investments and properties under its umbrella. His flagship company, netGALAXY Studios, was recently sold to another leading development firm here in the Lowcountry on August 1, 2019.
Larry previously worked for Media General, which was acquired by Nexstar Media, and was the Regional Interactive Media Director for the NBC stations in both Charleston and Savannah. Prior to his tenure at Media General, he helped launch Charleston.net for the Post and Courier.
Larry is married to Summerville native, Rebecca Collett, who is an Investigative Reporter and Managing Editor at WCBD-TV 2. Larry and Becky have two boys named Naaman and Beaudrot (Beau) and are expecting their third child in January. Larry is passionate about community involvement and serves on multiple boards and committees for various organizations in the area.
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LIVE BLOG: Masters Coverage from Day 2 at Augusta National
Masters Tournament 2021: Complete Coverage
Brandon Plotnick	April 9th, 2021
Jason Kokrak of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia.
Complete live Masters coverage throughout the day, including photos, live leaderboard and more.
Refresh this page throughout the day for live blog coverage of the 2021 Masters. The live leaderboard is available here, or under the live blog coverage below.
7:10 p.m. – Our Weekend is Set
The second round has come to an end, and we're all set for a wild weekend at Augusta National. We'll have 54 golfers on the course Saturday morning, and one of those will not be defending champion Dustin Johnson. Johnson had bogeys on three of the last four holes to finish 5-over, two shots beyond the cut line.
Also missing the cut in heartbreaking fashion is Daniel Berger. Berger made a dramatic putt at last week's tournament to qualify for the Masters. But a bogey on 17 and a par on 18 put him one shot out of the weekend field.
The other golfers missing the cut by one stroke were Jimmy Walker (his first missed cut in eight appearances), Matt Kuchar, Max Homa, and Sergio Garcia, who bogeyed 15 and 17 to fall out of play.
Check out the images from an incredible second round at The Masters at the link below.
GALLERY: Masters Second Round With a Crowded Leaderboard
5:55 p.m. – What Happened to DJ?
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Our defending champion Dustin Johnson simply owned Augusta National in November. He's also the No. 1 player in the world. So why have we barely mentioned him today? Well, it's complicated.
With four holes to go, DJ is 2-over and just found some water on 15. That leaves him in real danger of that cut line that's hovering around 3-over in, 4-over out.
Johnson was 2-over after the first round and today he's had this wild ride: Bogey-par-birdie-birdie-double bogey-bogey-par-birdie-birdie-bogey-par-birdie-par-par. Whew. He's been all over the place.
It's safe to say he will be presenting the Green Jacket to someone else this year.
5:30 p.m. – Crowded Leaderboard as We Approach the Weekend
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Will Zalatoris of the United States, Bernhard Langer of Germany and amateur Joe Long of England walk off the 18th green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
As we said, Justin Rose finds himself headed into the weekend with the lead still, but this is anybody's tournament still. TWENTY players are under par for the tournament right now, with a few others still with shots to get there.
Of note, Will Zalatoris is tied for second at 6-under. He had a mostly quiet front 9, that closed with a bogey. But birdies on 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18, he ended up with a 68 on the day. That coupled with his 70 in Round 1, has him likely in the final grouping with Rose tomorrow. Brian Harman currently is the other golfer at 6-under, with a 69 in both rounds so far.
One shot back of that duo is Jordan Spieth, who is looking solid after a second-round 68 to land him at 5-under, tied with Marc Leishman.
We'll update the final leaderboard once the second round closes for the rest of the golfers shortly.
3:45 p.m. – Bryson DeChambeau Gets Back in Play
He may be crushing the ball long distances, but Bryson DeChambeau was struggling mightily to actually get the ball in the hole for quite a while at Augusta National. He finished Round 1 with a 76, 4-over and in danger of missing the cut.
Today, things were looking worse as he bogeyed the fifth hole and chances for playing the weekend looked grim. But birdies on 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17 and 18 put him 5-under on his round today, and 1-under for the tournament. He'll be around enjoying weekend play at The Masters.
Bryson DeChambeau makes birdie from the trees on No. 18. He finishes the day at one under par for the Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Y1iKOPfHI7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2021
3 p.m. – Getting Crowded Up Top
Justin Rose managed to scrape together an even-par round and is leading at 7-under. But he's got a lot more company today than he did yesterday.
March Leishman, Tony Finau and Justin Thomas are all having terrific rounds (or in Leishman's case, had one), and are 5-under.
A pack of three golfers are 4-under, while five others are at 3-under. All told 19 golfers are under par currently.
2 p.m. – Watching The Cut Line Again
Every golfer is now on the course, and 32 of the golfers playing are in red numbers for the day. That's going to make for a volatile cut line as we move through late action.
Currently, there are 57 golfers at 3-over or better, but there's a lot of room for strokes to drop on that cut line.
Some notable golfers are projected outside the cut as it stands, including Phil Mickelson (+4), Rory McIlroy (+4), Matt Kuchar (+5), Lee Westwood (+7) and Patrick Cantlay (+10).
All three amateurs in the field are projected to miss the cut. Projected to MAKE the cut, for the first time since 2014, is Jose Maria Olazabal.
Oh, and up on top right now, that Justin Rose fella got his act together and is now up by two strokes at 7-under through 16.
Justin Thomas records another birdie at hole No. 12 to move to three under par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ZZ5kz50fyV
1:10 p.m. – Wiesberger Finishes with 66
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Bernd Wiesberger of Austria fist bumps his caddie, Jamie Lane, on the 18th green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Bernd Wiesberger has taken over the clubhouse lead, as he finished his second round with a 6-under, 66. That has him 4-under for the tournament after an opening-round 74.
Marc Leishman is the leader on the course, as he just birdied 15 to get to 5-under on the day and on the tournament.
pic.twitter.com/CEK7Br5XvC
12:40 p.m. – Rose Loses Bloom, Solo Lead is Gone
Justin Rose finally calmed down a bit and is stable at 4-under for now. The problem for him, is Marc Leishman and Bernd Wiesberger are still on fire. The trio is tied on top of the leaderboard, as Wiesberger is 6-under on his round, and Leishman is 4-under on his.
Martin Laird is technically our clubhouse leader currently, as he wrapped up his second round just now, with a 1-under 71. That has him at 1-over for the tournament. There are obviously a lot of guys with better scores right now, but they are all on the course still.
Brian Harman also just joined that group at 4-under on top of the leaderboard. He's 1-under through two holes today.
12:05 p.m. – Lots of Red Numbers Today
The groups who had to face brutal conditions in the afternoon yesterday, are reaping the benefits of much softer conditions this morning. Some 18 golfers are at least 1-under par today, with 10 of them at least 2-under today.
There's still a lot of golf to play for all of those golfers, but it's definitely a shot in the arm to start the day strong.
Justin Rose obviously isn't one of those, as he finished his front 9 with a 3-over 39, but still clings to a one-shot lead.
11:20 a.m. – Wiesberger Keeps Surging, Rose Keeps Falling
The lead is down to just one shot, as Justin Rose had a disastrous bogey on the par-3 6th hole. And it could have been worse. He's now 2-over for the day and 5-under overall.
That has him just one shot ahead of Bernd Wiesberger, who started the day 2-over and is now 4-under, thanks to six birdies in his first 11 holes. He did just plop his tee shot on 12 into the bunker, but Rose is in trouble again on 7. Things are getting very interesting up top.
(Update: They both bogeyed. Rose is 4-under. Wiesberger is 3-under with Marc Leishman, Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama.)
Bernd Wiesberger is 6 under thru 10 holes and a shot off the lead at #TheMasters.
His Augusta National resume:
• 5 starts
• 5 cuts made
• Two top-25s
• Best finish: T-22 (2015)
• Low round: 70
• High round: 79
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) April 9, 2021
10:50 a.m. – Another Rose Bogey
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Justin Rose of England reacts after playing his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Justin Rose isn't making things easy on himself – though he did start with two bogeys yesterday as well – as he has another bogey and is back to 1-over on the day, 6-under on the tournament.
Also of note, we haven't talked much about Jordan Spieth, who quietly has come on as a major contender in recent weeks. He had a nice and wild first round that included a triple bogey, an eagle, a bogey and three birdies.
That topsy-turvy day landed him at 1-under, 71. He will be someone to watch today, as he stands on the first tee right now.
10:40 a.m. – Cut Line is Only Top 50
A reminder, the cut line is ONLY the top 50 players and ties, once again. The tournament did not revert back to also include anyone within 10 shots of the lead as well.
As of right now – and it's still really, really early obviously – that cut line would fall at +2 in and +3 out.
pic.twitter.com/pjwyjaFPZM
10:30 a.m. – Wiesberger Making Big Moves
We talked earlier about Bernd Wiesberger's hot start, with three birdies in the first three holes. Well, he's keeping it up now! With two more birdies on 5 and 8, he's now 5-under for his second round, and 3-under overall, tied for second place as he plays the 9th.
Justin Rose, meanwhile, got a stroke back with a birdie on 2 and is even for his round, four up in the lead.
10 a.m. – How Hard Is It Out There?
Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts after playing his shot from the 12th tee during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
November's unusual Masters tournament led to a number of scoring records being shattered, thanks to slow greens and little wind. But Augusta National bit back hard yesterday.
Just how hard? The scoring average for November's first round was 71.41. The scoring average for yesterday's first round… 74.52! And that was even with Justin Rose's 65 pulling that average down.
There were 53 rounds under par in November's opening round, but just 12 yesterday. And there were 24 rounds in the 60s in November, but just three yesterday.
Augusta National clearly wasn't thrilled with being used out of season and is making up for it!
9:45 a.m. – Rose Starts With a Bogey
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Justin Rose of England plays a shot on the first hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The magical run Justin Rose was on yesterday came to a crashing halt on his very first shot today. Rose pushed his tee shot on 1 into the pine straw, right of the fairway bunker. That led to a layup back into the fairway and a two-putt for bogey.
He's still three shots clear of the field, but it was not the start he hoped for, certainly.
March Leishman has made a move as well, with birdies on all three opening holes. He's now tied for second at 3-under.
9:15 a.m. – Good Morning Bernd Wiesberger!
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 09: Bernd Wiesberger of Austria reacts to his putt on the second green during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Austria's Bernd Wiesberger had a topsy-turvy Round 1, ending at 2-over 74. That came with four birdies and six bogies on his card. Today though… it's a different story so far.
Wiesberger has opened with three straight birdies and suddenly finds himself tied for ninth at 1-under.
The good fortune came after a spectacular birdie putt on the first, a remarkable recovery from the rough on the second that led to a nice birdie putt, and a solid pitch-and-putt on the third.
8:30 a.m. – Will Justin Rose Keep The Lead?
Justin Rose owned Augusta National on Thursday, but will he keep it up? What do you think?
Abraham Ancer From the Bunker
Abraham Ancer of Mexico plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 06, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia.
8:15 a.m. – Now This Is Fun
While we wait for the action to really heat up today (right now Vijay Singh is bouncing all over Augusta National with every shot), we thought you might like a fun little distraction.
Check out these seven items for your golfer wish list. From wild pants and socks, to a cart phone mount and emoji golf balls, there's a lot of great gifts on this list. Click the link below to check it out!
7 Items For Our Golfer Wish List
8 a.m. – Round 2 Is Underway
And here we go! The second round of the 2021 Masters is underway, with our first grouping hitting the tee moments ago. Martin Laird (+2) and Vijay Singh (+7) are on the course and will be joined soon by Larry Mize (+12), Jimmy Walker (+3) and Brian Gay (+6).
Our overnight leader, Justin Rose, will tee off at 9:36 a.m.
7:45 a.m. – Ancer Penalty Stirs Debate
In case you missed it, Abraham Ancer was issued a 2-stroke penalty after the completion of the first round for tapping the sand behind the ball on 15. The penalty has stirred much debate, as it was barely visible on video replay, and clearly not done to gain any advantage.
Check out the story here and let us know what you think.
Additional Coverage
A special thanks to our friends at Augusta National Golf Club.
Brandon Plotnick is a former sports journalist, now living in the digital space with interests all over the musical and pop culture map.
Augusta Local
Augusta News
Augusta National,golf,The Masters


text:
Label: 4AD Release Date: 20/06/2011
by James Skinner June 15th, 2011
Change, change, change. I was unexpectedly moved by the half-season finale of South Park recently, which addresses the notion that as you grow older, things you used to love start to seem inconsequential and a bit shitty; relationships strain and alter; people flounder, hurt those around them and ultimately move on. The episode ends on a note of uncertainty, a genuinely touching montage playing out to Fleetwood Mac's 'Landslide'. I suppose it's how you regard songs like that that will determine what you make of the eventual left-curve Bon Iver's Bon Iver throws us… or maybe not. Justin Vernon and his crew have changed things up here for sure, but the results are every bit as beautiful as you might expect.
Of course, replicating For Emma, Forever Ago wouldn't have worked, would have felt cheap, that record being so deeply rooted in one place and time. Instead, the band has swollen considerably and built on certain aspects of what made it so striking. Vernon's voice – an expressive, enchanting thing – is instantly recognisable, and he's still capable of wrenching every ounce of emotion possible from his songs. It's a more polished affair than the occasionally rough-hewn debut, synthesisers and saxophones (and space, so much space) guiding and colouring its frosty soundscapes. Lyrically oblique, its power stems from Vernon's odd turn-of-phrase and heartrending delivery – it's best just to let that voice wash over you, letting the images manifest in their own time.
Because Bon Iver does take time: it's not as instantly captivating as For Emma…, but given the circumstances which led to that album being recorded and the fairly universal emotions it taps into, it was never going to be. The concept here is one of cycles and seasons (specifically winter), reflected in its chilly aesthetic and bookending songs, 'Perth' (birth) and 'Beth/Rest'. The idea of home, geography and the importance we endow upon our surroundings is important, too: the whole thing was recorded in a studio Vernon and his brother converted in Fall Creek, rural Wisconsin, three miles from the house he grew up in.
'Perth' is a muscular opener, built around an escalating guitar shape, spectral vocals and a sharp, militaristic snare, its central lyric: "Still alive, who you love." The song spins into a messy, loud climax buoyed by warm horns and crackling electric guitars before receding in order that the louche 'Minnesota, WI' can shuffle into view, Vernon swapping falsetto for a deep, assured vocal only displaced in its chorus. He has spoken of the record as a direct continuation of For Emma…, and it's not too hard to imagine the stacks he refers to here being the same ones contemplated in that set's peaceful closer.
It's also very much an album in two halves. On 'Michicant', a song shot through with nostalgia, Vernon's lyric dwells on his younger self, asserting at one point that "Hon, it wasn't yet the spring." This is halfway through the LP, at which point its songs – which are hardly straightforward to begin with – take a turn for the abstract, based more on piano shapes and soft, needling sounds than anything that could be cooked up on an acoustic guitar. 'Hinnom, TX' opens with a reverb-drenched set of piano chords that ripple and expand like concentric circles, while 'Wash' boasts perhaps Vernon's most affecting vocal performance to date, all against lilting strings, pedal steel and plaintive ivories. And though there's nothing here anywhere near as direct as 'Skinny Love' or 'For Emma', songs like 'Calgary' and 'Towers' are more in keeping with a traditional sound than the majority of the LP, both blossoming into lovely full-band efforts as they wear on.
And of course, there is 'Beth/Rest', which closes the album. It's not difficult to understand why some Bon Iver fans have been horrified by this song, so wholeheartedly does it embrace Eighties soft-rock trappings. Yet it's more or less in keeping with the spirit of Bon Iver, and after the Blood Bank EP and the great fun Vernon clearly had as part of the Gayngs ensemble it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. With its auto-tuned vocals, airy drums and orange sunset synth, it does sound kind of like a relic; exactly the type of song that could soundtrack a montage detailing how although everything changes and people grow for better or worse, life unsparingly, inexorably marches on.
It makes sense, though it might not seem to at first: it's a surprising, unusual finish to an often surprising and unusual album, one which confidently sketches out a blueprint for the band far beyond anything Vernon could have dreamt when he first decamped to his father's cabin in Wisconsin.
James Skinner's Score
Larceny & Old Lace


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The teams are in for the first 2018 Uni 7s leg.
All of the action kicks off at the University of Tasmania in Hobart on Saturday, LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.
The teams will be split into two pools of five, with Macquarie and the University of Adelaide kicking off at 9am Saturday.


text:
De Villiers' ODI frenzy breaks quickest century record
De Villiers was in record-breaking form
AB de Villiers was in destructive form against the West Indies at the weekend
22 January 2015 at 23:28 22 January 2015 at 23:28
The extremely multi-talented South African cricketer, AB de Villiers did what he does best at the weekend, smashing the bowling attack to parts far and wide, on the way to a destructive century achieved off a remarkable 31 balls. His first fifty took an amazing sixteen balls to accomplish and he managed to somehow accelerate from that rate in reaching his hundred. His quick fire knock was the quickest ODI century ever recorded, as his South African side crushed opponents the West Indies in the second match of their one-day international series in Johannesburg.
His rapid innings included an incredible sixteen sixes and nine fours on the way to an individual total of 149 off only 44 deliveries before finally being dismissed, as part of a remarkable team score of 439 for just two wickets off their 50 allotted overs.
He was ably supported by both of the openers, who also scored tremendous centuries for the South African side, but the abiding images that will stay long and hard in the supporters' memories will no doubt be those relating to AB's sensational scoring rate.
The ever-consistent Hashim Amla contributed a career-best score of 153 not out in partnership with his fellow opener Rilee Rossouw's 128, as South Africa established their highest ever ODI score during the match.
There must be something about the visitors' bowling attack that is favoured by opposition's batsmen at present, since AB's new record figures supplanted the previous mark of 36 deliveries for a century by New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson only last year.
It almost seemed inconsequential when the West Indians had their opportunity to respond to the mammoth challenge facing them, but the result had to be confirmed.
They did manage to score a more than healthy 291-7 themselves, which given the state of shock they were probably suffering after the deluge of runs earlier in the day, was a creditable response. However, the 148-run margin of defeat will not be something that they will feel particularly proud of on reflection afterwards.
De Villiers has an enviable cricketing record, with an average for both ODI and Test Cricket of over fifty runs per match and more than 7,000 runs in total in both forms of the game.
Although at best a very occasional medium-paced bowler, he also performs the wicket-keeping duties for the national side after the retirement of Mark Boucher. His golfing prowess is also quite useful, playing off scratch despite a limited time to practise due to his cricketing responsibilities, as well as being known to excel in several other sports at one time or another during his life, including rugby and tennis.
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No infections were attributed to the protocol, and all affected patients were notified, according to the State Department of Health.
"Although the risk of infection is low, HealthPlus and the New Jersey Department of Health are cautiously recommending that patients receive blood tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV," says Janelle Fleming, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Health Ministry, CNN said Monday.
According to a press release, the HealthPlus Operations Center offers podiatry, orthopedics, pain management and plastic surgery.
A letter from HealthPlus to affected patients states that the next step is to test all patients for blood infections so that the center can cover all the medical costs involved in the investigation.
Hepatitis B and C infections can begin between two and six weeks after a person's exposure. An infected person can not detect any symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine. One person with hepatitis B may get better without treatment, while others may experience a long-term illness that can cause liver damage. Hepatitis C needs to be treated and is a long-term disease that can also cause liver damage.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It can remain in the body and slowly damage the immune system, making it more difficult to fight infection.
"We all at HealthPlus understand that this may be disturbing," the letter said. He goes on to explain that "failures in infection control in sterilization / cleaning instruments and the injection of medicines" could have exposed patients to various facilities where they can be tested.
Fleming said she could not share information about what triggered the investigation that triggered "gaps in infection control."
In a statement, HealthPlus Operations Center Administrator Betty McCabe said the facility reopened on September 28 after cleaning and repairing all third-party tools, hiring new staff, and changing infection control and drug delivery procedures.