As the Calendar Turns

Posted Dec 30 2010, 10:43 AM by Cathy Erickson
I don't know about you, but this last week of December is a time for me to say good-bye to the current year and prepare for the next.  My mental photo album gets sketchier every year (this is what happens when you get older), but I still have a pretty good slide show of great golf memories this year.  And at the same time I find a part of my brain already getting ready for the season ahead, even though it's at least 5 months away.  And it's that "resolution" and "goal setting" time of year, so pondering some golf goals seems appropriate, too.

Strolling down memory lane seems like a good idea first (goals usually require effort and sacrifice, so we'll save that for later!).  On the course I think my happiest highlight was meeting my one 2010 golf goal, to break par on my home course for 18 holes...it happened in May and I was playing with one of my favorite golf and curling pals.  It was a great day, and a birdie on the 18th hole did it for me.  A very close second would be our yearly golf scramble team finally winning again after 3 years...it was the BEST day and it was so fun to have everyone play some great golf.
 
Other golf highlights included heading to Nashville in April and getting in a few rounds in before my season starts...I truly enjoyed the 3 courses I played and I met some terrific golfers from TN.
 
I feel really lucky to have a great circle of friends to play golf with at my home course.  I especially like it when we get a little game going, whether it's partners or cut throat.  And being a gal that loves scrambles, I'm smiling right now thinking of the fun events I played in last summer.  I was so happy to get to golf with some new golf friends in some women's events, and it was really great that my friend Carol was here for most of the summer to play golf with, too.
 
But for me, my time alone on the golf course is special, too.  I'm fortunate that I can head over to our course in the evenings or early on a weekend and just enjoy the course or work on my game.  As I have said countless times, the golf course really is my happy place.
 
Except for a few pairs of golf shoes, this was the first year in awhile that I didn't buy any golf equipment.  I was close a few times, but I'm pretty happy with what I have...I can't make any promises for 2011 though!
 
On the professional golf front, you know I couldn't be happier for Matt Kuchar.  What a dream season!!  I really did think he would win the FedEx Cup, but I think he just got tired out at the finish.  And of course I'm thrilled for Steve Stricker's 2-win season...I really thought this was going to be the year for his 1st Major, but you know, 2011 has a nice ring to it.  I thought Phil's win at the Masters was terrific, and right at this moment my brain is flashing back to that awesome shot from the pine straw...wow.  Tiger surprised me by not winning, and I was introduced to several players this year after some fantastic wins in 2010...it's hard not to like Greame McDowell, and I jumped on the Lee Westwood fan bus after the Masters.
 
This year I also played in the http://www.kerplookee.com/ fantasy golf league...they even asked me if I wanted to be a part of their weekly tournament predictions crew and I just couldn't say no!!  I teamed up with a fellow Minnesotan part way through the season, and even though we sort of stunk it up, it was a blast, and Drew and I are going to be ready for next year!!
 
Speaking of next year...right off the bat I can say that I hope I can improve in my fantasy golf picking!  My biggest weakness is picking with my heart over the stats...but I think 2011 is going to be a great year to be picking my favorites!
 
One golf goal that I have for 2011 is to get more distance on my driver...and even though I can't play until at least May, one thing I can to is to get more strength in my arms...I've been perusing Mindi Boysen's golf videos and am going to try to incorporate some of her tips in my off-season.  And I'll throw in the blanket "get more exercise" as part of my 2011 be a better golfer campaign!
 
I also have to start researching for my yearly predictions...bring on the stats!!
 
This is also a great opportunity to once again thank Tees2Greens for giving me my own little spot to write about my favorite thing in the world...it's hard to express my gratefulness other than to say that my heart is happier every time log in.
 
I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store...Happy New Year!

Filed under: goals, scramble, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar, Cathy Erickson, Kerplookee, resolutions