March 2016 - Page 2 of 2 - The Blonde Side

Dynamo Owner Gabrier Brener

Dynamo Owner Gabriel Brener // Photo: Wilf Thorne

GABRIEL BRENER, DYNAMO’S NEW OWNER, IS ALL ABOUT WINNING

The Houston Dynamo have been making some big changes this off-season – perhaps one of the biggest is the announcement of their new managing partner, GABRIEL BRENER, who acquired the team from AEG. For the first time in Dynamo history, the team has independent ownership. Brener, a husband and father of four, has been a minority owner (and majority supporter) since 2008. Brener, a México native and successful entrepreneur, has always looked for new opportunities and is the epitome of hard work. But he doesn’t consider his new role with the Dynamo work. “This is not a difficult job because it’s not work. Actually this is just a lot of fun. I come; I have a lot of fun with the players, with the coaching staff and with the front office,” he says with a smile.

But it’s not all fun and games for the entrepreneur. He’s more focused on winning than anyone out there. Dynamo fans can rest assured that Brener and the rest of the ownership group (consisting of Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein and Ben Guill) will be very much focused on winning. “As an owner, I have learned that I hate to lose and I love to win. It’s the truth!”

Brener already has plans to change some things up (with the ultimate goal simply: TO WIN), but one of the things he thinks will make the biggest impact is having a family name and “true person” behind the club, as opposed to just a corporate logo. He hopes this will resonate with fans across the diverse city of Houston, particularly with millennials. After all, millennials are who the Dynamo and the MLS are targeting as a fan base to help grow the love of the sport.

As for the MLS in general, Brener is a huge supporter and feels the league has only scratched the surface. “Soccer is growing in this country; not only in this city and this community but across the country – it’s the fastest growing sport out there. There are over 8½ million kids enrolled in American youth soccer organizations across the country. We have the wind behind us,” he explains. If you’re one of the few that hasn’t checked out a Dynamo or Dash game yet, Brener highly recommends it. Not only for the quality play on the field, which he promises fans, but all the action in and around EaDo (East Downtown Houston, where the stadium sits). “We aim to deliver the best experience possible,” Brener says.

When it comes to the Houston Dash and NWSL, he says that Carli Lloyd is shining more light on this great opportunity for women. Brener told HoustonDynamo.com that the team and league “gives an equal opportunity for women to shine.” As for the city itself, Brener is no stranger. “Houston means a lot to me. We definitely have roots in the city,” he says with a fondness.

DON’T MISS THE DYNAMO’S HOME OPENER SUNDAY, MARCH 6, VS. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION.

This article originally ran in LOCAL Houston Magazine’s print issue (the Sports Issue) for March 2016. To see the online version, click here.

Since I am out of town for opening day (this Sunday), I am giving away my tickets. Simply leave a comment below if you want to win my tickets – I’ll pick one lucky winner tomorrow (Friday, March 4th) at 12p CST to take my place!

March 1, 2016/by Jayme

SPEEDGOLF – It’s About Time

Golf

SPEEDGOLF in Houston // Photo: Michael Piotrowski

SPEEDGOLF – It’s About Time

The old way of thinking of golf looks a little something like this: a relaxed sport where golfers were anything but in a hurry. But golf today is changing, thanks in part to all of life’s other demands that don’t allow for as much time on the course as we’d all like.

Perhaps a marketing tactic, perhaps something to make golf more athletic or perhaps a way to keep the game alive, Speedgolf (sometimes known as Alternative Golf) was born. According to Golf Magazine, “You hit. You run. You hit again. Your score: the sum of your strokes and minutes played.”

Speedgolf (one word) is a FUN, FAST and FITNESSpromoting alternative to the traditional game.

“Every golfer has probably played Speedgolf at one point or another; it’s not as foreign as people think. If you’ve ever teed off first thing in the morning with no one to slow you down, and discovered you naturally play much faster than the normal 4.5 hour round, you’ve played Speedgolf. If you’ve ever found yourself racing against the sun late in the evening, grabbing a quick 9 before darkness falls…you’ve played Speedgolf,” SCOTT DAWLEY, owner of Speedgolf Texas, says. Competitors generally carry 5–6 clubs in a small bag (no carts allowed), wear athletic golf attire, put on their running shoes and are ready to go. As a result of this modern-day time deficit we all experience, people have never been more open to trying new and relevant methods of staying active and building community on the go. Examples beyond Speedgolf include Crossfit, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Warrior Dash and Ironman.

Dawley started Speedgolf Texas in 2013 to help spread awareness of and participation in the sport. The business originally started in Houston, but within a few months spread to Austin and San Antonio. The sport isn’t as new as you think, but certainly growing in popularity. According to Dawley, “It solves the three main issues golf is facing in the 21st century: It takes too long, costs too much and is not enjoyable (mostly because of the first two).”

How is Speedgolf scored?
Strokes and minutes are added together to create a Speedgolf score (SGS). For example: score 80 strokes + time 60 minutes = 140 Speedgolf score.

What are the benefits of Speedgolf?
It’s played in a fraction of the time, at a fraction of the cost of a typical round of golf. Playing Speedgolf enhances mental, physical and creative capabilities on the golf course, while promoting more enjoyment. Speedgolf also helps golfers get out of their heads – a huge obstacle many avid golfers face. When you’re in a rush, you set up your shot and simply shoot.

Where to play Speedgolf in Houston?
All players must first attend an “Intro to Speedgolf” session (visit SpeedgolfTexas.com and click “Get Started”). Speedgolf is offered at Cypresswood Golf Club and Blackhorse Golf Club (cost is $15 for 9 holes any weekday morning before the first tee time).

This article originally ran in the print (March 2016) version of LOCAL Houston Magazine. Be sure to pick up a free copy of the Sports Issue (March 2016) of LOCAL Houston Magazine, which you can find all over Houston hotspots, or click here to read the online version of this piece.

March 1, 2016/by Jayme