Page 42 - IssueNo101

42 Issue #101 June 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Roy Nichol: From Local Cornwall Athlete to

Drummer for April Wine

By Molly Kett around age thirteen. He said it
never crossed his mind that he
would have a serious future in
ost readers might recognize
Mthe name Roy Nichol as the music.
drummer for April Wine. However, “My Uncle Joe Harvey was a
if you were living in Cornwall drummer and watching him play
when Nichol was growing up, inspired me to start playing. Like
you’d likely remember him as every other kid, I started with
being heavily involved in the local cardboard boxes,” said Nichol.
athletics and music scenes.
Eventually, his talent was
“My strongest memories of noticed.
growing up in Cornwall are of “Myles Goodwyn saw me
playing sports and the lifelong
playing with The Sam Hill Band
friendships I have made,” said at an event. When April Wine
Nichol. “During my youth, sports needed a new drummer in 2012,
were a big thing in Cornwall with Photo Submitted
he remembered me and contacted
many leagues available to play
me through Art O’Reilly, former first time with April Wine.” in music, his advice is similar to
in: Cornwall Fastball League,
owner of Strung Out Guitars, and what many coaches share with
Cornwall Junior B Hockey, long story short, the rest is history,” Nichol says that his favourite
Optimist Football, and more. said Nichol. “The best part of April Wine song to play is Roller, young athletes: “Practice, practice,
When I wasn’t playing sports, I and for kids looking to start a career practice.”
playing with April Wine is playing
was learning how to play musical on the professional stage, the fans,
instruments. I have many great
and meeting other musicians as It Is What It Is
memories of playing in local we travel around Canada and the
bands over the years and have US. Meeting the band members
formed lasting friendships with By Peter Collins
of many of my childhood musical
many local musicians.”
idols stand out as well as playing
Nichol started playing drums locally here in Cornwall for the

“Phil the Thrill” was at it again last month, defying the odds to become
the oldest major winner in PGA history. His latest victory, one that was
unpredicted and unexpected, launched his name back into the limelight
after a few years of mediocrity on the tour. How unexpected was his win?
Well, most oddsmakers had him at around 300 to 1 odds to win. One lucky
New Jersey bettor turned $1,000 into $300,000 when Phil came through
at Kiawah Island.

At fifty years old, Mickelson has had an incredible Hall of Fame career,
winning 6 majors, 45 tournaments, and amassing a net worth of around
400 million dollars. These are gaudy numbers and put Phil on the short list
of the greatest golfers ever. The problem, or specifically Phil’s problem,
is that he has had the unfortunate timing to have his career span over the
same time period as Eldrick. Eldrick, or Tiger as he is more commonly
known, has pretty much doubled Phil’s numbers with 15 major wins, 82
tour wins, and he has a net worth of approximately 850 million. It’s a
comparison that Phil has struggled with throughout his career, and one
which has motivated him to keep improving his game and take it to the
next level.
Reaching that next level at the age of 50 is unheard of, and an amped
up Phil is even driving the ball as far as many of the younger golfers. Phil
has maintained his high level of performance through diet, exercise, and
re-dedicating himself to the game. So, while Phil basks in his return to
championship form, will this motivate Tiger to come back from his recent
car accident injuries? My guess is that it will, and perhaps we will see a
renewal of their rivalry over the next five years. So maybe Justin, Rory,
Jordan, and Brooks will have to wait a little while longer to assume the
title of greatest golfer in the game, while Phil and Tiger continue their
Photo Submitted assault on golf’s record book.