This week’s column might be a little outdated, being that I’m in Florida for part of the week. However, vacationing doesn’t mean that I should deprive you of my ramblings and rants. Away we go.

The Young and the Impressive

What is it with these kids today?

They think they can just do everything; they’re so smug. Or maybe they’re just that good.

For the second time in a month, a young female is making waves in the world of golf. Last month, 13-year-old Morgan Pressel became the youngest person to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. Now enter 11-year-old Michelle Wie.

This Honolulu youngster won two matches Thursday to get into the third round of matchplay at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships. After shooting a 36-hole score of 160 to get into the top 64, Wie defeated Kathi Eutzler of Atlanta 4 and 3 and Hilary Homeyer 1-up to survive at least into Friday.

Homeyer, who graduated from Stanford a few days before the start of the tournament, had numerous accolades during her collegiate career.

She was a Curtis Cup member (a women’s amateur equivalent to the Ryder Cup) last year. She also shot the second lowest score in the qualifying round of this event.

But Wie was too much, paring every hole except for the 17th to put away the competitor who was twice her age.

The most amazing fact of the match was that Wie out-drove Homeyer.

Can you believe it? A pre-teen phenom outhitting an honorable mention All-American?

When kids can qualify for national tournaments before they reach high school, I can only give them their props.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m just as jealous as the next wannabe Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam. But you have to admit that the ability to compete so well at such a young age is mind-boggling.

Will these girls go on to be the next wave of superstar golfers?

Who knows. However, I think they have a good shot.

Absurd Predictions

Since I’ll be in the Sunshine State by the time you read this, I thought I would put my weather forecasting skills to work and look at the futures of some of today’s sports headliners.

Charles Barkley

Freeze advisory.

In other words, I don’t think he has a cold day’s chance in hell of making a comeback to the NBA.

First of all, he’s overweight and looks to move slower than he used to (he even looked slower commentating the game on TV).

Second, I don’t think he’s in it for the right reason. He never really started talking about doing this until the rumors swirled around Michael Jordan.

My advice for Charles, stick to your current day job.

Barry Bonds

Hot and humid.

The pressure will assuredly build for the San Francisco power slugger as the season winds down later this summer. Along with that comes the heat from the press, which should be very intense, even for a star player of his caliber.

I do think he will break McGuire’s record, but it won’t mean anything to him without a World Series ring.

Michael Irvin

Foggy, due to the narcotics he is allegedly possessing.

Yet again, Irvin could not supposedly avoid the pitfalls that landed him in legal trouble about five years ago.

Jaromir Jagr

Overcast.

He’s currently in limbo with his contract negotiations to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

However, I think things will clear up because Mario knows that he needs his hockey soulmate in yellow, white and black to have another shot at Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Martin Rancik

Mostly Cloudy.

The question isn’t when he’s going to be drafted, but if.

He has reportedly been impressive in the pre-draft camps, but whether the former Iowa State star will get a shot at the pros is still up in the air.

DeShawn Stevenson

Stormy, with a chance of being blown away…to jail that is.

The Utah Jazz player is currently accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl with whom he had been an acquaintance for years.

And on the up-side, he is also reported to have served her and her 15-year-old friend alcohol when he’s a minor himself.

Ten thousand dollars in fines, three years in prison and references to Mark Chmura are possibly in the future. Skys aren’t looking any bluer.

Jamaal Tinsley

Hazy, just for the moment.

It’s apparent that Tinsley could be taken in the first round of Wednesday’s draft, just not at what point.

Wherever he does end up going, there very well could be blue skies ahead for the former Cyclone.

Any high schooler looking to make it in the NBA draft

Bright and sunny.

At least for those who dream big and have game. With six going into the draft, I won’t be surprised if I see 10 or more high schoolers in one draft over the next five years.

Just don’t expect me to applaud it.

Jonathan Lowe is a senior in meteorology from Kansas City, M.o.