Grow The Game

In my new post at Port Colborne Country Club I am fortunate to have a lot of great members surrounding me. One of the best parts of the job is the banter that goes on daily around the Pro Shop. While most of the membership consists of retirees, there is also a great mix of  young golfers for good measure. All of this makes me think. What is the next generation of golfer going to be like?

If I were to think back to the "pre-Tiger" days there wasn't really much going on in the way of the game being grown. The reality is that Tiger Woods brought a lot of new golfers to the game who otherwise would not have taken up the game. In his heyday, Tiger brought together a wide array of golfers to the game from all walks of life. Admittedly, I guess I fall into this category in a way even though I was never really a Tiger fan. There is no doubt that he's the most dominant player to walk the fairways of this generation. Maybe it is now considered the previous generation now. After all it seems that there has been a torch of sorts passed. Can you imagine what no Tiger would have done for the career of a guy like Phil Mickelson? In my opinion, Tiger is the first person since Arnold Palmer to really have an impact on the game. Legions of fans, tournaments with huge purses and of course big time television ratings. This was all a prelude to the current crop of Tour players that have reaped the benefits of those before them. Guys like Rory, Jordan, Day and Fowler are now bringing more youth to the game. The youth... a necessity to make the game of golf sustainable in dire times when play is dropping off. I'm sure the Olympics in Rio may help grow the game a little bit too. There is so much out there now for junior golfers. Great equipment, trendy fashion, clinics, technology and all of this could lead to "paid for" educations. There are a lot more pros than cons when it comes to introducing youth to golf.

Getting back to my course. As much as I like the banter around the Pro Shop from the "Old Guard"  I would have to say that my favourite thing around there is the junior golfers. They bring such a different energy to the course. They are curious about the game and they are always looking for information when it comes to equipment. But I think the really fun part is watching them go out as a group onto the course. "The Boys" come into the Pro Shop to make their tee time for their afternoon round like everyone else. Then as their time approaches they gather at the first tee... not before spending time on the range and maybe the green. Then before we know it it's 12:22 and off they go. By the time they hit the 6th green you can hear their voices carrying throughout the tree-lined golf course. Usually it's laughter or youthful exuberance but sometimes there is an argument about what one kid did and how it wasn't golf etiquette.

I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to golf with one of our board members last week, his son Ethan and another junior Sawyer. Sawyer was actually one of the first members that I met in the off-season and as it turns out he lives two doors down from the golf course. I told him then that I better see him at the course every day. Now even though he isn't there every day he is there more often than he isn't. As much as I enjoyed the golf what I enjoyed more was the fact that they were out there. I had to leave after nine holes but it was at that point where we took off our caps and shook hands.

The juniors out there are a resource that we need to have to grow the game. With Father's Day approaching,why not get out on a range of golf course and play some golf with the junior in your life?

Until the Next Tee

So You Wanna Work in The Golf Industry?

It really is so hard to believe. Firstly, it's hard to believe that I have not written since April 27th. Honestly, it truly does feel like a lifetime since I sat down and wrote about what I love. But the fact remains is that I have been extremely busy. Busy with work and there is an old saying in the industry and that saying is "If you want to golf a lot... don't work in the golf industry". Believe me folks, there is a ton of truth to that.

As most of my readers know I became the Director of Golf Services at Port Colborne Country Club in Port Colborne, Ontario. The course is a beautiful classic parkland-style golf course that dates back to 1929. The time in golf architecture where names like Travis, Ross, Tillinghast and Canadian Stanley Thompson reigned supreme is golf course architecture. While our designer wasn't among these names our designer was a gentleman by the name of Bob Moote Sr. who had a great resume of courses to his credit. The more that I talk to long-standing Members at the course, the more interesting facts and stories I learn about its history. It really is a remarkable place.

I love everything that I do at the course and to be honest I have a hard time leaving it behind or more to the point... staying away from it as I enjoy it that much. However, this doesn't come without it's drawbacks. Playing time!! Now don't misconstrue what I'm saying as complaining because it isn't intended this way. But the lack of playing time really does suck. Everyday I drive into this wonderful place where the fairways are lush and the greens are fast, firm and flawless. The old oak and elm trees that adorn themselves along the fairways. The smell of the fresh dewy grass accompanied by the whirring of mowers. The sweet call of the cardinals as they greet me as I exit my beat up Ford F-150. But as I greet my morning "dewchasers" Peter, Sigi, Leo, Don, Howie, Bob and Alex I can't help but wish that I was one of them headed out onto the links. Jealousy? Maybe a little. As every day passes I am mired in the paperwork of arranging events and orders for the Pro Shop. At times there is a little confusion with "the ways of the club" and I admit that I don't like the way of some things that occur. But then a part of the English vocabulary enters the fray and it's one that I wrote about some time ago. Acceptance. Accepting some of things that you don't necessarily agree with... and suddenly there is a little stress taken out of the equation. Of course there is always the stress of trying to make everyone happy which is mostly an impossibility but I like to think that I've done well to this point. After all, my employment hasn't been terminated yet.

When there's a will there most certainly is a way when you want something bad enough. Those long days turn into longer days if you want to stay "current". Routinely, I have hit balls on the range after a 10, 11 or 13 hour long shift. On a few occasions I have managed to sneak a few holes in as the sun was setting on the course. In fact, I have managed to play approximately 20 holes of golf. Not rounds... holes (not including our Member Victoria Day Scramble). But then there are the other days where I feel and am way too tired to even think about swinging a golf club and resign myself to going to the truck and driving home. The peculiar thing here is that even with the paltry amount of time that I have spent making swings I find myself in a really good place where I want to play... compete. The swing feels automatic, effortless and right. When I have played I have hit my spots and I have seen good results. Swing ownership? Maybe.

So even though my playing and practice time have taken a hit, the fact remains that I want to work in the golf industry. The fresh air, sights and sounds. The banter and company of the members as they get ready to tee off. The laughs with my staff (and at times frustration) which is usually at their expense. The juniors hanging around the shop and answering questions with their curiosity and unmistakable passion for the game. I love what I do... and as a bonus it's only 6 more years until 50.

#AllInFore50

Until the next tee.

Alexander Toth Golf - The Home Of Organic Golf Reviews: Spring Sprang

Alexander Toth Golf - The Home Of Organic Golf Reviews: Spring Sprang: Before I really get into writing this piece I have to say that I'm not even certain that sprang is even a word as seen in the title. Act...

Spring Sprang

Before I really get into writing this piece I have to say that I'm not even certain that sprang is even a word as seen in the title. Actually, I'm quite certain that it isn't. So if by some sort of wild fluke that my former Grade 13 English teacher is reading this (which I guarantee that he isn't) I apologize Mr. MacKay.

Like life spring is very much eternal. Much like the sun setting at night and rising the following day Spring is a certain inevitability. For some very fortunate folks, in their parts of the world they see colours that are always green, lush, tropical and/or in bloom. For others, they have have to wait a little bit longer. Like those souls that live in the true northern climes like the Northwest Territories of Canada. But for them too, spring arrives as the "Mountain Avens" bloom. I just drove home along the Niagara Parkway here in Niagara Falls and year after year the roadway is a ribbon of Tulips and Daffodils that the Niagara Parks Commission plants to welcome the throngs of tourists. Another true sign of spring.

As much as I would like to go on about flowers I won't. After all this is a golf blog and not a blog for botanists. As many of you might know I took on a new position at a "new to me" golf course. I am the new Director of Golf Services at Port Colborne Country Club in Port Colborne, Ontario and I really should apologize for the length of time in between entries. I am loving this challenge very much and since starting there March 15th I have seen change at the course. From the brown dormancy of near death through Mid-March and early April to the green splendor that the course is quickly evolving into before my very eyes. Like the tulips this too is a sign of spring. Last Sunday was our opening day which followed a course clean-up by a crew of volunteers that consisted of some of our membership. But the buzz that day was terrific. In a way, it really felt sort of electric as members came in one by one to drop off their golf bags into our bag storage. It really was hard to believe that a day or two prior we had endured a 3" snowfall. But then the next day happened and we opened which was very busy and at times hectic. It was like another sign of spring arriving as golfers "migrated" back to the golf course. Our open that day was a "trial by fire" and for all intents and purposes it went real smooth considering the issues with GolfNow. That day most certainly was electric as there was a definite buzz in the air. What a great vibe!!

My excitement for what will come this season is growing as I am watching our course change every time I go out there. Evolving and ever changing. From slogging through the fairways and rough to hearing and seeing the change in our greens daily. On April 15th the greens were soft, slow and wet to the current where they are firming up and getting a hair quicker. Reports coming in by members and guests alike on our conditions is fantastic and the greens haven't even been rolled yet. They are however, getting cut every other day. It's just so fun watching the green landscape evolve and hearing the voices of golfers carry throughout the grounds. I love what I do. There is no doubt, judging by the golfers milling around and the sound of balls being struck on the first tee that spring HAS sprang.

The sun setting on the 13th at Port Colborne Country Club

Until the next tee.

Masterful

Snow. I know that snow has been a recurring theme lately. But every time that I go to write it snows I am in my newly claimed "office/golf room" that I've waited some 4 years to have and now it is slowly becoming a reality. Sure it needs a little decorating but it's a nice little haven for me away from other areas of the house. A perfect setting for writing. As I gaze around I see my staff bag, my new Titleist (Canada) stand bag, a pin flag/scorecard from Harbour Town Golf Links when I played at the home of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage Classic. Last but not least there is my Big Moss Augusta putting mat where I can work on my stroke using Train Your Aim, Eyeline Golf, HoleOut Pro and/or Spakesology. Speaking of Augusta... wasn't thee a little tournament down in Augusta, Georgia?

The Masters really did se some exciting times. There was no shortage of drama, tough conditions and magic. Looking back on the last 4 days there were so many highlights that it makes it real tough to pick out a few and focus writing this editorial on them. So where does one begin? We could actually go back to the Par 3 Contest held on Wednesday that was eventually won by Jimmy Walker by scoring a 19 on the 9 hole course. Really? A 19 that was actually backed by an Ace and a score that as good as it was never rivaled the score of deceased North Korean dictator Kim Jung-Il (-38). Aces were wild and aplenty that day as Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas both aced the same hole playing in the same group. Aces were also had by Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson, Smylie Kaufman, Andy Sullivan, David Lingmerth and 80 year-old Hall of Famer Gary Player. A total of 9 Aces were recorded and that would be the beginning of the fun.

As the first round was played there were some terrific scores posted but none were better than defending champion Jordan Spieth. When Jordan Spieth went -6 after the first round all that I could think of was :here we go again". However, the second round on "Cut Day" the conditions were tough as the winds howled and the field felt it's wrath. As Spieth continued to lead the course aided by the wind kissed many notables "good riddance".as players like Fowler, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Graeme McDowell, and Branden Grace bid Augusta National adieu for another year. Also not making the cut was Hall of Famer Tom Watson whom played his last competitive round in Augusta. Thanks for the memories Mr. Watson. For the record, I had selected 4 of these players in a Masters pool. Oops!

"Moving Day". If one thing sums up Moving Day I guess it felt a little bit like "Back to the Future" as "Father Time"turned the clocks back... to around 1985. In a field that was dominated by "twenty somethings"it was a former champion that would steal the headlines/ Germany's Bernhard Langer won The Masters in 1985. In a move that nary a few would have ever imagined the timeless 58 year-old Langer would play cold and steely finding his way not only onto the first page of the leaderboard but teeing off real late Sunday. I am certain that I was one of the many that was pulling for Langer to work some "Masters Magic". Unfortunately it wouldn't be the case.

Photo Credit: pgatour.com

Sunday would prove to be a mix of magic, wonder and "shock and awe". There's a term that I haven't used in some time. As the name Langer quietly went away there were a few names emerging and catching our attention. Almost forgotten about, Dustin Johnson was lurking and so to were the likes of Paul Casey, Lee Westwood, J.B. Holmes (whom I nearly forgot was even playing), Hideki Matsuyama and Englishman Danny Willett. For the first time in history a defending Masters champion lead from wire to wire te year he won and then the following year thru 54 holes. just an absolute testament to Spieth. I admit that I thought Spieth had everything in hand and he was sort of cruising along at -5. In fact, I was pretty sure that he would win that I walked the dog, did the dishes and then made dinner. but then something magical happened in "Amen Corner". In fact the Par 3 12th Hole named "Golden Bell".happened. Now when I used the term magic earlier usually magic implies a really good thing. Sometimes however, magic can be "black" and bad things happen. This is exactly what happened to Spieth on the 12th. "Black Magic". Without reliving his misery I wouldn't be a good writer if I failed to mention that his the shot ended up in the water and then consequently his shot following the drop. Legend Jack Nicklaus once said that the 12th at Augusta National is "the most dangerous Par 3 in the game".

Photo Credit: espn.com

Spieth's quadruple bogey saw a 3 shot lead seemingly disappear into a 1 shot lead for the aforementioned Willett. In what many describe as a meltdown for Spieth it shows that these things can happen to the best in the world. Many will say for the ages that Willett never won the 2016 Masters but more like Spieth lost it. The fact is that Willett played a Bogey-free round of golf Sunday. He showed good length off of the tee using his Callaway Golf XR16 driver and his game was really sound on the Sunday at The Masters en route to a 67. Firing a 67 and staying around all weekend was plenty good enough to win. In my opinion, as much as adjectives like meltdown and collapse are going to be thrown around the fact remains that the 28 year-old Willett played a great round of golf and very much deserved the win. For those that are unaware of Willett, he has played great golf on the European Tour with a few victories along the way.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Out of the darkness can come some light though. Getting back to Spieth (and I apologize if this editorial seems to be more about Spieth than Willett's victory). So much can and has to be said of the events leading to tonight. No matter how analysts and pundits alike will dissect what happened to Spieth there is one thing that can be said. If there is a golfer on the PGA Tour that exemplifies class and grace in defeat it would be Spieth. There is no doubt that this "whatever it was" will sting and hurt Spieth for some time. But the way that he handled himself afterwards truly makes him a champion. For those currently on tour or kids coming out of college turning professional. If you want to see and learn how to conduct yourselves than please do golf a favour and look at Jordan. No nonsense.. no tirades just a matter of fact respectful kid.