Golf Fore the Good

Here in the North East we have milked the past season as long as possible. It must be hard for golfers south of the Mason-Dixon Line to understand how we justify what we call “golf weather” after fall has actually come and gone. Check the temperature and wind direction; put on another layer of clothing. It is hard for us to admit but it becomes an entirely different game in our harsh conditions. And yet we play on, with or without “winter rules.”

And though we already find ourselves on the short side of winter, this week’s dusting of snow has eliminated our playing options, at least for the moment. Our courses lie quiet and unplayable under a frozen crust with only a forecast of worsening winter weather ahead.

Still, the pro shops are already bringing in spring merchandise. Britain-Ireland has announced the start of Walker Cup Team selection for ‘07. Head south and you’ll find a bevy of tournaments in progress and the AJGA has applications out for their spring events.

Like gardeners in these parts, for us this is time to regroup, to plan, to nurture seeds for future successes. Now is the time to dream of places to play, tournaments to win, lessons to master. And sure as spring, our fairways will go green again and we’ll be back with a song in our heart and a club in our hand.