Hope, Joy, GOLF!

Posted Aug 03 2011, 03:30 PM by Cathy Erickson
Lots going on in my golf head this week...First of all, it's August!!  This means I only have about 2 months of decent golf season left.  I'm sad that I haven't been out on the course nearly as much as I should have, but I've decided that I will be kicking my priorities around a bit to make more room for my happy place.
 
Let's see, what else...oh, yes, Tiger is back.  I've got to believe there are all kinds of betting possibilities for the "comeback" this week at the Bridgestone.  Since there is no cut at this limited field event he eliminated that one, but I'd say there is a fairly large contingent that thinks he will be marginal at best, and considering his injuries and time away from golf, it's probably not a bad guess.  But you know there also others that believe he'll be hoisting another WGC trophy come Sunday - and I guess you never know.  From what I could see on a betting odds web site, he's still a 20/1 pick ahead of Phil, Nick Watney, Adam Scott, and Martin Kaymer.  Best odds are McIlory at 14/1, so it looks to me that there is a lot of belief in TW out there.  As I said last week, I hope that being back on the course will sprout some joy into Tiger's life, regardless of how he finishes.  The funniest thing I've read so far is a comment from Chuck over at my favorite Fantasy Golf website, http://www.kerplookee.com/.  He put Tiger on his squad for the week and followed it up with: "And I know I'm going to regret my Tiger pick.  The soul patch made me do it."  Laughed out loud!

I'm very interested to see if any of the "Next Tiger Woods" will take that challenge and show the golf world who they really should be talking about.  They're all going to be there - McIlroy, Westwood, Kaymer, Donald, DJ, Phil, and about 80 other guys...many potential storylines await!  Make those media guys talk about something other than the TW return!  Of course my dream finish for the week would be Stricker, Kuchar, Watney - Kuch is coming in with 2 missed cuts so I'm a little worried, but I'm hoping he gets things together and has a great showing....he IS a Bridgestone guy!  And for the record, just for Sam, I put Dustin on my squad this week, too.
 
Back to the home front for a few minutes...I'm excited that we've started up Scramble Tuesdays at my home course.  People sign up, we throw some teams together and if you're able to sink a few putts you might win some golf balls!   Whenever I think of scrambles I'm reminded of a Sam Johnson blog entry where he shares his disdain for the scramble format.  I had to re-read it this morning (he is funny!) and while he makes some valid points, I'm still a fan!
 
I had been telling my friend Jerry for 2 years that we needed to golf together and last night we finally got the chance.  I love Jerry's emotional golf roller coaster - one day he's loving golf, the next day he's getting ready to sell his clubs and then the next day he's getting a new Taylor Made driver in the mail.  I also appreciate Jerry's passion for the game and his commitment to keeping a golf course in our community.  And I found out last night that we really are true kindred spirits because we both have Ping Craz-E putters!
 
It seems worth noting that Jerry's a lefty.  I always enjoy watching the game from the other side of the ball - it's a test of the brain to realize that what looks like a hook to me is a slice in his book.  The holes look so different when you're visualizing a ball flight that you can't ever copy.   The only downside to playing with a lefty is that you can't try out his new driver or his vokey wedges!! (and for the record I tried - I found it almost IMPOSSIBLE to swing as a lefty...and I do everything left-handed but golf and curling)
 
The night was perfect - sunny, 75, and a slight breeze...besides Jerry, we also had my friend JJ on the squad.  Being just 3 of us we needed to step it up to have a chance...our putters let us down a bit, we had a very solid -4 for 9-holes (with some really great shots thrown in there!)...but it wasn't enough for the win.  But I've got to tell you, getting to spend a few hours on the course with great guys having a few laughs and a few cheers is what joy means to me.
 
Also a quick update on my new Thursday women's league - I've had SUCH a great time this year playing in an evening league in a nearby city - it's a 2 lady best ball net league and I paired up with a great gal from my course.  It's been great to have a little more competitive spirit in golf and play with some great ladies.  Even when my game didn't show up, I'm sure glad I did - it's been a great chance to meet new people, play a couple different courses, and have some great laughs.  The only thing I'm sorry about is that it ends in two weeks.  Think good thoughts for us, I think we might have a chance to win if we can bring our games!
 
Our local course is continuing to improve after discovering serious damage to our greens this spring.   It's going to take a lot long to make the damage totally disappear, but I'm very hopeful it can be done.
 
I also had the great pleasure of playing golf with my Mom and Dad last Sunday.  With life so busy, I can't tell you how sweet it was to spend a few hours on the golf course two of my greatest golf influences.  And for those of you that know my Dad, you know it was an entertaining round of golf! (best quote:  "I think my putting stroke is having a stroke")   Our competitive spirit led to a least putts challenge.  I took a page out of my Mom's playbook and hit my approach shots on the fringe 4 different times which lead to 1 putts! (I swear, it wasn't on purpose, but Ruth was not happy!)  My game started out a bit shaky, but I was able to find a little better groove and finished with a nice +1 (37)...AND I was $2 richer after my least putts victory!  My Mom also cruised in with a fabulous 49!
 
We've got a busy weekend on tap at our course and I'm looking forward to another scramble on Monday with my favorite Cable women!   And I'm also happy to be pairing up with my friend Carol again for a ladies tourney later in the month.
 
Finally, my hope list... that we continue to have spectacular weather through October ....that Sam Johnson doesn't have heat stroke in Texas...that I will get to the Twin Cities to golf with my brother and friend Drew before it snows...that Steve Stricker will win this weekend...that we get a good turnout at our men's tournament this weekend...that I stop yanking my putts left...that I have many more days this season golfing with all of my favorite golf friends...and finally, for everyone reading this, I hope you find the same joy on the golf course I feel every single time my spikes hit the first tee box.

Filed under: Sam Johnson, friends, Steve Stricker, happy place, Cathy Erickson, Kerplookee, league, joy, Mom & Dad