Golf Season

So, I felt somewhat bad this weekend because I held Mandy back from a weekend of college fun in Bloomington for IU's Little 500. We were supposed to go down with friends and enjoy the festivities, but I wanted to have one weekend at home in the month of April (I'm gone the next two). In hindsight, we actually got a lot done and had a great chance to catch up on some rest and quality time with the dog. But, I'll admit it after the fact, I really wanted to stay home for golf, in all its forms.

I was supposed to play on Saturday, but sleet, wind and sub-40 temperatures quickly ended those hopes. So, what was left? Quite simply the best sporting event on television: The Masters! I'll admit that I am not a huge fan of how snobby and in-awe the announcing has become. I mean, seriously, it's a little over the top when somebody misses a 4-foot putt and the announcer says, "That was an easy putt, but nothing is easy when it's Augusta, it's the Masters and your standing on the royal ground of legends playing tricks on you." That's a little over the top.

But, nothing they can say will ever take you away from admiring the grounds. It is heaven shaped into a golf course. Not a blade of grass out of place and a perfectly sculpted landscape of elevation, bunkers, natural waterways and foliage. Every year, I am reminded that my one major golf goal is to play there:

Well, maybe someday...

I had a good conversation with my friend, former boss and golf coach (can you count somebody as your coach when you haven't had a lesson in almost 4 years, but haven't consulted somebody else?), Alan, last night and we were talking about how boring the golf was yesterday afternoon. There have been years when the course actually played tougher, but it seemed more enjoyable to watch. But, no matter how bad the drama was, you can't turn away.

I was also blown away by the number of comments on TV from people talking about how much experience plays into being successful on that course. C'mon, any true golf fan could play that course blindfolded. I'm not saying they could execute the shots needed, but I know almost every little slope and angle of that course just from the countless hours of TV coverage I've watched.

- Keep it middle of the green and let it feed down on #16
- Drive it down the right side and avoid the false front on #15 if you go for it in two
- Play a going draw on #2 and don't miss long or left on the green
etc. etc. etc.

Well, the weather should improve enough this week to get out and enjoy the weather for at least one round. And in the meantime, I'd like to thank my way cool Father-in-law for This Addictive Mini-Golf Game to keep me motivated while indoors.