It seems almost like yesterday, but in actuality, it was nearly seven weeks ago on Easter Sunday, about as beautiful and mild an early April day that has ever graced the sandy peninsula I call home. I had sauntered down the fairway, inwardly waxing poetic about the course and the camaraderie, enjoying a most excellent foursome that happened to include one of Cape Cod’s premier amateur golfers. How blessed can one girl be, I wondered?
We holed out the last putt on nine much too soon. Filled with highbrow thoughts of a new season, rebirth and the miracles of life, I was sure I would pound out a much-overdue blog post as soon as my holiday family obligations had been met. Then–poof!–life slapped me down, and before I knew it I was waking up, exactly one week later, from the gray haze of anesthesia. As it turned out, that was only round one; what started as a fight with a very nasty appendix turned into an extended 6-1/2 week slugfest, causing me to miss the best spring we’ve had for golf in over a decade.
While the daffodils came and went, I noticed just a blur of yellow as my husband and I sped back and forth to the emergency room. First the dogwoods, then the cherry trees, burst out in white and pink blooms; I was amazed when I peered out a 5th floor hospital window and saw a riot of color where days–or was it weeks?–before, the landscape had been a mat of gray and brown. As good health began to return to my weary bones, I cautiously made my way out to my back deck, reveling in glorious sunshine. When had the red maple popped out its crimson leaves? How had I missed the unfurling of the buds of the oak and locust trees? And when, darn it, it would I be back on the golf course? Read more…
Congratulations to Kevin Carey and Joe Walker of Dennis Pines, winners of the 2010 Seagulls at venerable Hyannisport Golf Club for an unprecedented seventh time. These two don’t just love the game, they honor it. What a privilege it is to play out of the same club–though no where in their league–and occasionally tee it up along side such amazing golfers. Hats off to you boys. We’re proud of you.
How cool is this? Years ago when I was just hatching the idea of Golf Fore the Good I wondered why there wasn’t an online searchable version of the Rules of Golf. How things have changed in a few years! A new searchable app for the Rules offers up a fix for the golf junkie who is also a tech junkie. The following information comes directly from the USGA with a link for more information:
The 2010-2011 editions of “The Rules of Golf,” “Decisions on The Rules of Golf” and “Rules of Amateur Status” are now available for purchase for iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry and Android devices.
The Rules of Golf App is designed for golfers who want access to the official Rules and Decisions whenever and wherever they want. The only Rules App approved by the USGA, it makes every Rule, Definition and Decision available at the touch of a finger. It also provides:
* Simple and intuitive navigation
* A convenient word and phrase search function
* A jump dial for quick access to specific Rules
* The ability to e-mail Rules questions to USGA experts or Rules to friends
For more information on how to purchase, download and install the Rules of Golf App, visit the Mobile section of USGA.org.
Golf Fore the Good does not profit monetarily from the downloading of the application–but we do consider it a benefit that the app will improve the caliber of golfers through a better grasp of the Rules. We do urge caution in the use of your cell phone on the golf course and encourage you to adhere to any local rules with regard to cell phone use… and always, please remember to shut your ringer off!
Well, that’s that. Over 20″ of snow fell on our sandy little peninsula a week ago; despite several above-freezing days we enjoyed a white Christmas. I use the word “enjoyed” loosely, as most of the golfers I know are already chomping at the bit to get back out on the course. It could be a really long winter. Despite the snow cover and lack of on-course playing time, I connected with a lot of golf friends over the holiday. We shall all be miserable together until the tee opens up again. Still, there are brights spots in the gloom. Read more…
I truly miss blogging at GFTG on a regular basis, but please bear with me. I hope to be reaching a point in my other writing endeavor that I can again spend some time blogging at GFTG. Meanwhile, I’ll try to post a few items that have been backing up in my in-box that might be of interest to the golfing public.
Recently received from Michele Weeks of the American Lung Association:
Every year we sell Golf Privilege Memberships to benefit our organization. This year we have partnered with Golf Digest Tee Times to offer a new and improved golf program. The new Golf Privilege Membership is still the same great price of $39.95 (that’s $20 off the non-ALA price) but now includes over 3300 courses and an array of online specials! I know there are a lot of discount golf memberships out there but I think a lot of folks would be interested in our membership since it offers a way of giving back to a great organization. These also make terrific gifts for the upcoming holidays. You can purchase the Golf Privilege Membership by visiting www.alagolfmembership.org. We would greatly appreciate it if you could inform your readers of this awesome opportunity. If you have any questions you can call 804-267-1900.
Here is a little more info on the American Lung Association:
The American Lung Association of the Atlantic Coast is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Our work takes place in the community where you live. We teach children and adults how to live with asthma, and we provide support for families whose members are living with lung disease. We fund research that will directly impact the care of people with lung disease. We fight for laws that make the air cleaner, and we help teens and adults to quit smoking. We are leading the fight for air – join us!
Thanks, Michele, for the info!
Happy golfing to anyone who still has decent weather to get out on a regular basis! As for me, a mild and partly sunny day in the 50s is good enough to tempt me out for a few holes… every golf day is a gift at this time of year in southern New England!
