From the Fringe

March 2009 - Posts

• I've Found a Happy Place

  I needed to go to a happy place this week.  We have had three days of rain, which turned into ice, and the gloomy weather has put a damper on my golf enthusiasm.  It's easy to get depressed this time of year...the transition into spring can be very slow and it seems we become prisoners of Mother Nature.  If it were golf season I'd make my way to my local course.  Even walking around without a club in my hand is enough for me - I'm happy there.  But the snow is still hanging around and the soggy ground needs time to dry up and prepare for the upcoming season - it's not ready to be my happy place. Right now I'm staring at my new FootJoy golf shoes and the several golf balls next to my Ping Craz-e putter that is propped up against a chair in my living room and I'm just not feeling inspired (and golf shoes almost always make me happy!).  These days happen. But a thought popped in my head and I smiled.  Visions in my brain turn into a rainbow of colors - blue skies, creamy sand bunkers, grey stone bridges, rolling green fairways, carpets of pink azaleas, creeks and ponds that reflect the clouds and trees, and of course the traditional yellow flags.  And we can't forget about the people...thousands of them who make the pilgrimage each year to experience a little golf magic.  Can you see it with me?  Yes, it's the Masters.  I can almost smell the flowers and hear the footsteps on the pine straw.  Ah, time for a deep breath! I knew right then where I needed to go...www.masters.org. Even though the event is still two weeks away, there is plenty of information to browse through.  The first place I looked?  The Field.  The majority of the field is already in place and there are some interesting names on the invite list.  If you're a Greg Norman fan (like me) it's pretty fantastic to see his name there again.  I recently read an interview on pgatour.com and even though it sounds like he's gearing up his game, he's going to focus more on enjoying the opportunity to play his favorite tournament, especially with his son, Greg, on his bag. There are currently 15 players making their Masters debut this year.  One of them is amateur Drew Kittleson, who is doing an exclusive blog on the website.  His first entry is now posted.  I can't imagine what it must be like to be thinking about competing in the Masters for the first time...I'd be thrilled just to walk up Magnolia Lane! I think I counted 19 past winners in the field, including the 1979 winner Fuzzy Zoeller, who won on his first trip to Augusta 30-years ago.  What an amazing thing to have a green jacket...I'm going to enjoy seeing Freddie, Crenshaw, and Watson, and I've got a feeling they might just make the weekend, too.  There's something special about tradition. There are still some invitations left to be given - anyone who hasn't already qualified that is in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) at the end of next week's event will get to compete.  Currently sitting at #47 is Davis Love III, who I would love to see at Augusta. Winners from this week and next will also earn a spot, so we'll see who's hot. Masters weekend is all about couch time for me - a few extra pillows, a blanket or two, and pretending like I'm there - the beauty of Augusta on TV is fabulous, so I can only imagine what it is like in person.   I enjoy the CBS announcing team (I hope Vern Lundquist is there!), and the limited commercials on Sunday keep me glued to the TV for hours without moving.  I can't wait. What is also fantastic is the online coverage, starting with the par-3 on Wednesday.  Live scoring, Amen corner coverage, and player interviews will definitely be on my computer screen.    As I browsed the site today, I watched a few of the video flyovers, played the putting game (I'm terrible), and read Drew's blog.  Thinking back to 2008, I'm reminded of rooting for Brandt Snedecker, all the while wondering if Tiger would pull off a miracle final round.  But sometimes golf is like survival, and Immelman's win proved he could withstand the pressure. The Masters does have its share of heartbreak and disaster stories to tell, and it's hard for me not to think about the Norman collapse in 1996 and the improbable Larry Mize chip-in on #11 in '87.  Golf can be that way sometimes.   But how do you not smile when you think about Jack winning at age 46 in 1986?(can you see him crouched over putting right now?)  Or Tiger's first win there in 1997? (wins by 12 strokes-amazing)  Or Mickelson getting his first Major there in 2004?(I was happy for Phil, but I'm cringing just a little thinking about his bad victory leap)  Although I think my favorite memory that comes to mind right now is when Freddie's ball stayed up on the bank on #12 in 1992...it's nice when golf gives gifts, too.  Take a minute and pull out your mental Masters highlight reel and enjoy the sights...if they are anything like mine, you're seeing pine trees, Rae's Creek, lightening fasts putts, and someone slipping their arm into a green suit coat.  Nice. The rain is still falling, my putter will go unused tonight, but I'm smiling like I just stepped off the golf course after a great round...Thank You, Masters, for being my happy place - see you in 2 weeks! Posted Mar 25 2009, 09:58 AM by Cathy Erickson with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Masters, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, Tiger, Augusta, Davis Love III

• What About Bob...

  While still in the last few weeks of the golf "off season" my mind wanders to golf people, places, and things that have influenced me.  There are many that come to mind, but lately I've been thinking about my friend's Dad, Bob.  Bob is what I would describe as the "classic golfer".   He had his ‘regular guys' that he played with, was active in the leagues, had respect for the rules and the courses he played, and he wore his passion on his sleeve (literally, too - he had great golf clothes!).  Bob was also one of those guys who could pull off the Greg Norman straw hat (now that's a classic golfer!).  He didn't need the latest and greatest of everything, but he invested in clubs that would best suit his game.  (He was the one who got me hooked on Callaway, his "go to" club was his Heavenwood.)  One of my favorite golf trip memories was being invited to go with Bob's daughter to visit Bob and his wife, Alice, at their home in Arizona several years ago.  There were 2 golf courses in their community and we spent 3 days playing (we reserved one day for shopping!).  The weather was fantastic and the golf was great.  The weekend we were there was both Easter and the Masters, and Bob and I watched several hours of golf together on their awesome TV.  A memory that makes me smile right now is that on Easter Sunday they arranged the table so Bob and I could watch golf while we had Easter dinner.  I loved watching golf with Bob - we were like our own golf announcing team...excellent running commentary (I was the funny one!). Before Bob retired and moved to Arizona, I saw him a lot at our golf course.  I'm thinking now, we didn't golf enough together!  But we had some fun rounds...I'm visualizing his swing...more "around" than "up", and an abbreviated follow-through - but it worked for him.  When I worked at our local course he was great supporter and he encouraged others to support us, too.  It meant a lot. He was also a stickler for the rules and wasn't afraid to tell golfers to keep their carts on the paths or keep play moving (that was the educator in him!).  He, like me, loved a great golf shot - it didn't matter who hit it - but he also let out his frustrations when execution didn't go as planned.  He was a competitor, too, and he liked to win.  If I had to guess, he was a high single digit handicap - his strengths were keeping the ball in play, a great bump and run shot, and a hot putter.  Bob had many other interests and activities to keep him busy, but golf was a true passion for him.  He had his yearly golf trip with "the boys" (I loved the Myrtle Beach stories!), and I don't think there was a question that he and his wife would be moving to "warmer climates" when he was able to retire.  Bob was one of the people that taught me that golf is more than just a game.  And for that I will be forever grateful. If what you've just read reminds you of someone you know, why not give them a call today and just thank them for being a great ambassador for golf, and better yet, set up a time to go play together.  If this story reminds you of you, well then, THANK YOU for being you!  And if you're wondering where you might find a great person like Bob, stop and take a look in the mirror - let Bob be an example to you to get out there and share the passion for golf with other people.  Get involved in your club, invite a few new golfers to go play, or just make a commitment to get out with your buddies whenever you can. Bob lost his battle with cancer just short of two years ago, and even though I miss him, I carry his passion with me and try to share it whenever I can.  Golf is so much more than Tiger or Phil, Titleist or Ping, or acres of grass.  Golf builds character, teaches and tests patience, rewards practice and skill, throws a little luck (good or bad) our way, and us gives the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature...and, most importantly, the beauty of friendships.  I know life is busy, but it just can't be too busy for all of that.  Bob embraced all that golf has to offer and he never took it for granted.  I hope I continue to do the same thing.  I hope you do, too.  Thanks Bob. Posted Mar 17 2009, 11:55 AM by Cathy Erickson with no comments Filed under: Easter, character, commitment, passion, Masters

• The Day Has Come

  I can't believe I'm going to do this...I'm going to write about Tiger Woods.  As an advocate for the 999+ professional golfers who aren't Tiger and for not hesitating to share my frustration about people who can't seem to stop talking about him (aka: guys with the "man-crush" - I won't mention any names), it seems to go against my nature to give more writing space to a man that's been analyzed to death in the past month (and now that some of my friends know about my little writing secret, I know I'm going to hear about this).  But I'm oddly curious about how he's going to do this week.  I'm wondering how he'll react to whatever number he posts on Thursday (or any day for that matter).  Tiger has always been good with interviews and reporters (Michelle Wie should take notes), and I wonder if he's already formulating his answers - it's not like he doesn't know the questions that will be thrown at him, regardless of what place he ends up.  Will he use the built in reason that he's "not completely healed" if he's not at the top of the leader board?  If he beats up the course and the field, will he tell us he's as good as new?  I'm looking forward to his reactions as well as seeing his game on my TV again.  And then I wonder, has he really dedicated himself back to golf or will the pull of family and life outside the ropes affect him - will we be able to tell?  For almost a year now he's lived a completely different life, and I wonder if he'll miss that as he steps back into the golf spotlight.  Or maybe he's spent the past year missing golf like crazy and teeing it up this week will get the blood pumping in his veins again.  I suppose it could be a combination of both, and I'm interested in finding out. I wonder if he feels the pressure the whole golf world is putting on him and his "comeback".  Does he care about the pressure?  Has he ever?  If he doesn't, I feel it for him.  There are a lot of people who have put all of their money in Tiger stock, and I'm not just talking about his sponsors.  Tournaments, fans, and even the local public course reap the dividends when Tiger's stock is soaring.  If he doesn't produce, will the floor fall out of the golf market?  And what in the world will the media talk about if Tiger isn't being his amazing self?  The golf fashion crisis? Wait, they already have while he was recuperating! I suppose I need to be honest about why I'm thinking about Tiger right now...despite my reservations, he's on the fantasy golf team this week.  We (my brother and I) have been on the verge of winning for a few weeks now, and I'm counting on Tiger to not disappoint (and Steve Stricker!). Huh, I guess this is really all about me and not Tiger after all!! A lot of eyes will be on Tiger this week, and mine will be two of them.  But don't go thinking I've got a crush on him - I'll leave that to the guys. Posted Mar 11 2009, 04:06 PM by Cathy Erickson with 3 comment(s)

• There's a Spring in my Step

  It's March!  Finally!  I've had golf fever for a few months now, but March seems to be the month where I turn the corner and see a faint light at the end of the snow covered tunnel.  It's been a snowy winter in Minnesota, and odds are we're going to see more, but I daydream about melting snow and green grass every day now.  I know it's early, and I can't get my hopes up yet, but just like a bear awakening from hibernation, golf excitement is stirring in my soul. First, my brain starts flooding with memories from the past season - the courses I played, the new benchmarks I reached, the countless rounds with great friends, being alone hitting a half a dozen balls around the course as the sun was setting, my trip to Texas in November, and oh, there was that little first ever hole-in-one.  I'm a sucker for reminiscing, but it isn't long before I start thinking of the upcoming season.  Since our course probably won't open until May, I'm really hoping there will be a weekend golf trip or two in April with my golf buddies.  It's hard though, because I know inviting "a girl" isn't always cool.  I appreciate the guys that are willing to let me tag along.  Of course if May is as bad as last year, it might be time to check out how many frequent flyer miles I have left. Each year I give myself a golf allowance.  I am currently on good terms with my credit card, but one of the cures for golf fever is new golf stuff!  I'm already contemplating a new driver and new hybrids...and of course there's always room for a new pair of shoes.  As a big believer in supporting my local club, I have a special fund for local pro shop purchases, too. Then there are the golf goals.  I've decided on two - more distance on my drives and to stop "picking" my irons and hit down on them instead.  But I have to be honest, I haven't been enthusiastic about changing parts of my game because I'm afraid I might have to go through the "it gets worse before it gets better" phase.  I know if I want to hit longer (or better) I'm going to have to change my grip and set up, and I'll have to hit a lot of bad shots before all the pieces snap into place.  The problem is, with a season that's so short, I wonder if it's worth sacrificing the time when I am pretty content with what I have.  That is the real challenge I'm facing. The calendar says Spring starts on March 20, but just today I felt a little spring in my golf step.  Have you felt it yet?   If you're like me and anticipating the new golf season, I hope your wait is short.  If you're one of the lucky ones who can golf right now, get out there and play a round for the rest of us! Happy March! Posted Mar 03 2009, 09:34 PM by Cathy Erickson with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Golf Allowance, Spring, Minnesota