Grand Finale - The Last of '16

It really feels like we just turned the page on all of our calendars from 2015 to 2016. Now, we look up and in 6 hours here in the Eastern Time Zone we will be ringing in 2017. So let's look back on the year that was 2016.

While I did not play a lot of golf in 2016 it still was a year that I can look back on and have positive feelings. Although most of my golf was played before our golf season began (due to a warm and relatively snow-free winter) I was satisfied with how I played when I did get out. Never did I think that I's play golf on New Year's Day but to play in February was a real treat. Spring and Summer most of my play would halt due to long hours and drives to fulfill my role as the Director of Golf Services at Port Colborne Country Club. This can only help my golf resume down the road and I loved the course and it's membership. Unfortunately, we had to say good-bye to the course built in 1929 for financial reasons that were insurmountable. The course filed for bankruptcy, was put up for sale and was purchased by an outside party. Thankfully the course was purchased by "golf people" and it will not be bulldozed for real estate. So the course will remain under a new name (a suggestion that I made October 7th calling it Port Colborne Golf Club). As far as my future goes in all likelihood my tenure is over. That said, I recenntly made the decision to apply to be a Candidate for Membership with the PGA of Canada which is something that I've mulled over for considerable time.

From a blog standpoint I think my year was really good. First , I have to thank all of the companies and firms that took a chance on a "nobody" from Niagara Falls. Companies like Golf Marketing Services (Holly and Irlianna), Callaway Apparel, OnCore Golf, Swing Wizzard, KenRick Golf, Cradlz, Mary Beth Lacy, Miura, Carnoustie, SunIce, TaylorMade Golf (Canada), HoleOut, Lateral Line Putters and so many others. Without you I would have had no equipment to review. I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities. After my web hosting/building site failed to give me the services I paid for I made a tough situation to move everything to blogger. It's worked out very well and my page views in a short time with limited posts is better than I thought. Now I can see traffic and give companies numbers of views. Numbers that I need to possess in order to approach more golf companies to bring you (my readers) more products to review. Also special thanks go to CHASE 54 and TRUE Linkswear brands that I am a proud to wear and be part of. #ForThePursuit #teamTRUE

This year was a tough year in sports and entertainment. Yes the Chicago Cubs won the World Series and golf returned to the Olympics. Honestly, I never liked golf returning to the Olympics in Rio and it was for the very reason that has surfaced down there. It's a sport for the wealthy (especially down there) that is highly corrupt. so now the beautiful Gil Hanse (Mossy Oak Golf Course) layout sits there. Mostly unused. All of those dollars seemingly wasted. I just wish that golf would have waited until 2020 in Tokyo only because the industry is booming in that part of the world.  The world lost David Bowie, Prince, and Carrie Fisher just to name a few. But the passing of our King was real tough for me. The news that Mr. Arnold Palmer passed had the entire golfing community grief-stricken. No one person ever epitomized the game like Mr. Palmer. One of my heroes forever.

Photo Credit: USA Today

In closing, I just want to take the time a very safe and prosperous 2017. May your year be filled with happy memories and many birdies. Stay tuned everyone.

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Until The Next Tee!

Review Introduction Video - Lateral Line Putters L2 Traditional

Good Morning everybody and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.

I thought that I would post a video this morning. I received a Lateral Line Putters - L2 Traditional putter from Irlianna and Holly at Golf Marketing Services Inc. In this video taken in front of the American Falls I discuss my likes and concerns with this putter heading into the testing phase.

Thanks for watching.

Until The Next Tee!

#ClimbTheWall - Cardio

It's no secret that my health is poor. My health is something that I needed to address. The reasons are numerous but not limited to the fact that I want to live longer for my family. I have a 5 month old grandson that needs a fishing teacher (golf too) and I guess my golf game too. Cardio is definitely a facet that is vital to golf. In the past I have left tournaments by ambulance after severe angina episodes. Honestly, it's a real embarrassing feeling and it is something that I don't to happen again.

I had a session at World Gym Niagara Falls, Ontario and during my cardio portion of the workout I was gassed after 5 minutes. I didn't want to end there and pushed for 5 more minutes. I pushed more and more until I "climbed the wall" and surpassed my longest duration yet. Folks, if you face or hit a wall... climb it! #ClimbTheWall

Until The Next Tee!

December 1st, 2016 - Grinding, Beanies and Bacon

Go to work for the first time in some cold weather on this day. Light flurries and a chilly wind. I also talk about The Swing Wizzard... a terrific tool for working on your swing without a need for striking golf balls. In for review here at alexandertothgolf.blogspot.com

Until The Next Tee!!

Grit, Pain and Determination

Winter... a time to celebrate the holidays, snow, ice and cold appendages. For those not fortunate enough to reside in parts of the world where golf can be played year round it can be a down time. The time when you sadly put away your golf clubs but you fondly recollect the shots that you pulled off... when you shouldn't have. The memories of being the first one onto the course or the last one off of the course as the Pro Shop anxiously awaits his or her departure for the evening. But then there are others that look at this time of the year to focus and address issues. I definitely fall into the latter.

I recently made a determination that I had to commence a legitimate workout regimen. Or should I say make a lifestyle change. For the longest time I fell into a rut where I would sit here at my laptop, open up a big bag of potato chips and unceremoniously eat the entire bag. Recently, I had a doctor's appointment and I stepped on the scale. I was mortified to see that I was tipping the scales at 230 lbs. The heaviest I have been in about 20 years and I clearly said to the nurse "I'm fat!" to which she said I wasn't. So I started to think about joining a gym and I did. World Gym in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

I started a regimen that included daily cardio and core and alternating days between arms and legs. It didn't take long to start seeing some results as I was gaining strength and losing weight. The funny thing about golf is that it so much resembles life. You only get out of it what you put into it. I've been working out in an almost religious kind of way and I joke around that I'm in "Beast Mode". I've been counting carbs, eating more greens and I started to drink protein shakes twice a day.

But changes like this don't come without a little pain and fighting your way to accomplish something. Again... so much like life. The other day I was doing my cardio and I was clearly not having a good day where I was "feeling it". I was gassed after 5 minutes and I told myself push through five more minutes. So I did and then I told myself... how about another 5 minutes. Mission accomplished! Then before I knew it I spent 45 minutes on the elliptical. The longest, best cardio workout that I have had in a very long time if not ever. Always remember this... "if you hit a wall... climb it". There is nothing that we can't do if we are determined.

So yesterday happened. As it turns out December 18th would be a day where I recognized some serious areas improvement that needed to be addressed. If not for the sake of myself then for the golf game. I was "fanaggled" into taking part in a Yoga session when I was checking out the basketball court to shoot some hoops. The instructor talked me into it (I tried getting out of it when I said I didn't have a mat... she located one). Yoga, something that I have more or less avoided. I tried it once before and left the class after 20 minutes. Anyways, I learned something about myself and yoga yesterday. Actually, I learned two things. The first is that you break into a sweat doing yoga (never saw that one coming). Secondly, I thought that for my age I was flexible or just flexible in general. Oddly and bizarrely enough I learned that I'm not. I am about as limber as a cement wall. I had no clue that yoga would hurt. Folks, I had no clue I was this "tight". Getting into some of the positions yesterday took serious work. My hips are pretty much frozen. If there is one thing I have to improve for golf it is definitely my flexibility. I'm floored by this epiphany. The other thing is that my arms although not totally necessary for getting distance are definitely a muscle group that needs strengthening. Okay, maybe vanity plays a small part too!

The moral of the story is this. When it comes to living in northern climates and golf there truly is #NoOffSeason. Instead... identify and address your deficiencies. Set a goal and strive to be better. Your body, mind and game will appreciate it. By the way my goal was to drop 20 lbs by my birthday in January... as of today I have lost 9 lbs and I already feel lighter on my feet. All of this can only help. Besides, a reward after a good workout is tanning, hydro-massage and sauna time. Definitely well worth it.

Until The Next Tee!