Another reason why politicians should avoid sports

Iowa Governor Chet Culver created news by announcing that he was heading to Augusta, Ga., for the weekend to watch a pair of Iowans, Zach Johnson and Jack Newman, compete in the Masters. He even issued a news release Friday morning touting his trip.

"From the success of our college student-athletes to our Olympians to now having two Iowans compete in the Masters, the past year has been a great time for Iowa sports fans," Culver said in the release. "I am looking forward to being a part of the galleries following Zach and Jack at Augusta National this weekend."

Bad course management on the governor's part. Neither Johnson nor Newman will make the cut.

His saving grace is that campaign funds, not taxpayer dollars, will pay for his trip, which also includes a Democratic Governors Association event, according to the Des Moines Register.

-- John Strege