When I started my own business (a little over 8 months ago), I figured that this was the easiest way for me to get out of being in "retail management". Horrible hours, not seeing the family, eating too much of the wrong stuff, drinking too much Red Bull, and the real killer...Not Enough Golf! I have to say, that running your own business has a lot of "pitfalls" when you don't plan ahead sometimes. My golf game is even more no existant than it was when I was running the local Big Lots. I think I have maybe 7-8 rounds in this year. I am too busy trying to beat the bushes for the business. It DOES seem to be working, I am up to my eyeballs in orders and I actually get to see my family in the evenings (though it is as they walk by the door of my office). I had to make some sort of change, so I talked with my friend at the local Golf Galaxy and asked if he could use someone for just a couple hours during the week. I knew I could free up at least 4 hours during one of the days that were normally kinda slow for my business. He and I came to an agreement and POOF! I am now a players assistant at my favorite place to shop.

Though it is not being out on the course. It does however calm the "beast" yearning inside for this great game we all love. As an added bonus, it gives me a couple of extra dollars to throw into my business, and the discounts are fabulous. I think what I like best about the job, is the fact that everyone in the building is passionate about the game. That's my "break" from my own business. It will have to do until I have Premium Logowear (my business) up to speed.

With the kids back in school, and darkness coming so quick now, it's hard to have the time of taking Jake (my 7 yr old golf nut) to the range to work on his swing (hey! that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). I just miss the game that I love. Maybe, if the Golfing Gods are kind enough, I will get out 1-2 more time before the weather gets nasty. Til then...I will be dreaming of thick rough, tight fairways, and fast greens.

Okay, well the heat here in Dayton has finally lifted a bit. I haven't played but 1 round since my last entry, but with 95+ degrees and 90% humidity, the game loses some (not all) of it's appeal. Not that I don't enjoy the game when it's hot, but when you can ring out your shirt after just warming up on the putting green, things are a bit unenjoyable. The one round I did play was not that bad, could have scored better, but still had an enjoyable round (and it beat doing yardwork!).

 Anyway...I pose a question to all who have the interest in the game of golf. What music is playing in your mind while you're playing? Does music even play in your mind while playing this great game (or am I just a little on the "touched" side)? I ask this due to the fact that some of my friends and I were just discussing the timing aspect of the game. Timing, like everyone's life, is different for everyone. For example...My swing is a slow take away, at least until the club is parallel with my shoulders, then BAM! It's off to the races. This is why I try to keep music as the "soundtrack" to my game. Somedays it's Jimmy Buffett's "Nautical Wheelers" or "One Particular Harbor". Other days it's a Toby Keith or Kenny Chesney tune. If I am wanting to really get it moving, maybe a little "Tropic of Capricorn" by Sammy Hagar, or something by Van Halen. If it's a round of laughing it up and just having fun, maybe some Iguana's (tex-mex) or something light hearted. No matter what the round, my wonderfully bizarre brain has music playing in the back ground.

Think about it...What music is the soundtrack of your next round? Let me know. Maybe a certain type of music could be found to lower all of our scores.

Til the next time...

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted...Since that time I have gotten in 3 rounds of this wacky sport. The first was 2 weeks ago, while visiting my wife's family in KY. We had a blast with the family, getting to know cousins and relatives that we did not even know existed. Her 2 older cousins knew I was an avid player and wanted to show off their local course that had another cousin as Assistant Greenskeeper. The Battlefield! I don't think I have ever played a course on a Sunday morning with Civil War cannons going off in the back ground. OMG! Here I am right at the top of my (horrible) back swing, and....BOOM! The ball goes squirting off to the right like I had kicked it off the tee. Laughter and giggles were heard for miles. I guess it would have been nice to see the sign that read "Civil War Re-Inactment Today".  I am not the most educated man in the world, but weren't there only a handful of Civil War battles fought in Kentucky? Oh well, after getting my swing under control to only swing AFTER the cannon blasts, I played pretty consistant. The course was beautiful. Rolling hills, thick rough, and lightening fast greens for the rest of the day. I scored pretty well for not knowing the hidden nuances of this little course. And beating all three of my wife's cousins was the highlight of the day.

Later that same week...The wife was still on vacation and wanting to take the children to Kings Island Amusement Park. I was up for it but not for an entire day. Luckily for me, her boss (the kind man that he is), knew I was probably going a little stir crazy being around her for an entire week (He only has to be around her for 40 hrs a week). So, he extended his condolances and told me to meet him at his club for a round with him and some of our mutual acquaintances. Great day,not too humid, gentle breeze and lots of sunshine...This was the perfect setting for a day on the course.     After assuring my wife that I would play the round, and then meet her and the kids at the park for the rest of the day, I turned off the cell phone and tee'd up the drive of my life (okay, the day)and striped that Titleist right down the fairway about 310 yds (and not in the rough). Fluffed an 8 iron to about 6ft, and birdied the first hole! A string of pars followed, allowing only 2 bogeys to bring me down on the front nine. I am up on the group by 6 shots! I'm on fire!!! Then, on the back nine, the spirit of Jean Van deVelde crept into my body and my game plummeted faster than an alcoholic falling off the wagon! Nothing would go right...hit it thin,hit it fat, slice, MASSIVE duck hook. Nothing I tried would work. I haven't drank in 15 yrs, and I have to tell you...I don't even think a double shot of Cuervo could have helped me. My wife's boss kept looking for the AED machine (cause I was dying!) Though after the round, after the laughter (directed at me), and after a very large lemonade, I figured out my problem. My head got in the way of my swing. I was back in the clubhouse in my head BEFORE I had even gotten of the course. Lessoned learned!

I was fortunate the day after to spend the afternoon with my 7 year old son at the local par-3 course. My brother-in-law had given me a free round w/cart for Xmas. My son, Jake begged to go. If you haven't figured out...I am a push over when it comes to him playing golf. We had a blast. 18 holes of bonding and learning. It is the greatest feeling seeing your son blast one screaming for the green, seeing the ball hit the fringe and roll onto the green, and then seeing his eyes light up when he says to me..."you're away Dad!" (Yes, my son is a smartass, just like his Mom). We played all 18 and then went back to the clubhouse, bought an ice cream, and watched people work on their putting. I cannot think of a better day. 

Okay...so being self employed was supposed to give me more time for golf. Since starting my own logo apparel business in Feb of 07 I have got maybe 5 rounds in. Of course, most have been with clients that are looking for a free round and decide that they want to drink too much, which is fine with me. By the 18th, I have their business, which normally means I have their $$ from side bets also. It helps that I do not drink alcohol (It was very found of me at one time...Does brushing your teeth with Corona mean that you have a problem?) So, for many months I have been just dreaming of getting out and playing without having to keep on my best behavior or talking about embroidery and screen-printing. Just a relaxing round with myself and maybe a buddy,

The old saying "be careful of what you wish for" is so very true... Fellow 19th Hole.com member (CShamis) and I (we've been friends for close to 20 years) made arrangements to get in at least 9 today. Local course that he has never played and I had only played maybe twice in my life...Mound Golf Course (in beautiful, exotic, Miamisburg, Ohio). We decide to walk (my preference on most courses...not Mound), 92 flippin degrees. So hot that even the Par Aide Ball Washers were actually steaming from the water inside. I load up at the clubhouse with 3 bottles of water, 1 Powerade, and 1 lemonade. I had all of it drank by the 3 rd hole. Now, picture a guy 6'3" tall, weighing in at a mere 280 lbs (Why do you think they call me the Big Kahuna?) hiking this great course built on the side of a massive hill. Anyway...to get to the point of all this. Played decent, not great, but not bad for a man who was drenched in sweat after the putting green, and who drank more water than a camel getting ready to cross the Mojave desert. Nothing more that a bogey. 3 pars and a birdie. I have found that when you are delirious from heat exhaustion and you are seeing mirages of your mother in law standing with her back to you on the tee box, you can really drive the ball far.

When we got back to my house, after riding with the Ac on (I think I set it to "ice box"), I started coming to my senses. Shamis (the passenger), made sure to have my wife re-hydrate me, and said he would try harder next time to kill me off, so he could collect 10% of the life insurance. Still, after all that, it was a very enjoyable round and I lost at least 10 lbs (BONUS!)

Remember: Hot days = lots of water

Okay, let's get the Congratulations out of the way...First and foremost, A very respectful "congratulations" goes to Angel Cabrera. He played well for all 4 days and that is who the champion should be. It just proves that the saying "On any given day..." is true.

Next...

A massive standing round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Tiger Woods on the birth of their first child. I know how much the birth of my son affected me. I know that it has got to beat winning any tournament, receiving any award, being the father of a new baby is one of (if not THE) most awesome events in any persons life. I have read that Elin and the baby are doing fine. I just wonder if Tiger was running around the delivery room doing his famous fist pumps?

Back to the Open...For the last 2 days all I have heard is...Is Tiger losing it? And Why does the USGA make it so hard?  I would like a chance to throw my 2 cents in on both these subjects...(Remember, these are my opinions)

Tiger, as we all know, is probably the hardest working, gifted athlete in history (except maybe Michael Jordan). To say that he is "losing" it, is just not fair. No, He did not win the Masters. No, He did not win the U.S. Open. Was it for lack of effort? NO! Lack of preparation? NO! Maybe, just maybe he just did not play well. Maybe he was thinking about Elin giving birth to his first child (God forbid! If he actually has a life outside of the public eye). Tiger did not seem to execute to his normal form on Sunday, but give the man his credit, he finished SECOND. Jack finished 2nd 19 times in his career, and you don't hear people getting all worried about him. Just do yourself a favor, sit back, watch Tiger grow as a person, as a golfer, as a husband and father. Then at the end of his career, lets check the tally sheet then.

Next: Does the USGA make the Open too hard? I heard it today and I like the fact that they are tough, but fair. Would I do better than some people who played...HELL NO! The U.S. Open is supposed to be the toughest test in golf. And once again, this year it was. Granted, there have been other years that were tougher. Looking at it from a "purist" point of view; this is how golf should be played. Not 18 under par. Remember, when we were all starting out par was what we were aiming for. I am still at the level that par is what I get excited about. The Open makes some people and breaks others. That is why I feel as though there is nothing wrong with how the USGA sets it up.

Okay, I am done venting. I am now getting off my soapbox. My 7 yr old wants to chip balls in the back yard. Nuf' said.

Okay, Got in 2 outings within four days. Played decent in the first one. Elks course in Hamilton. Absolutely beautiful. Hit the ball pretty good. Out of the foursome, I was the only one NOT to lose any balls (as if that is saying something). We came in 2 under due to a lack of putting by yours truly. In my defense, I cannot carry the whole team (lol). My irons were crisp, my driver was straight (compared to every one else on the team), my putter couldn't roll the ball far enough on any putt (I wonder if hooked on phonics can teach me how to read a green). Massively slow greens, until I decided to actually hit one, and then it took off like it came of my driver....AAAARRRGGGHH.

The second outing all I have to say is....Big Kahuna in Da House. I killed it! Played Walden Ponds for the second time in my life. I knew that it was going to be a great day when we started out on #10 (525 yd par 5), we all tee off. Mine goes long and straight, ending up with only an 8 iron into the green. We EAGLE the first hole. OMG! Hey, we aren't that good! But I guess the Golfing Gods were just giving us one early, so that they could take one back later. We grinded out some hard pars and made some easy Birds. By the 15 th we're 7 under and sniffing the lead. Then...The Golfing Gods got even! I stepped funny out of the cart and pulled my sciatic nerve (okay my butt) and could barely walk, let alone swing. I tried stretching, pulling, twisting, hanging from a tree, but nothing was going to work. I managed to poop out a couple of straight drives that were no where close to what I was doing earlier. My irons went about 3/4 the distance and to read a putt I was trying to use the old "judge it off of everyone else" method. We bogey 15 & 16, and scrambled for pars on 17 & 18. Not how any of us wanted to finish. I kept looking around for someone to start rubbing my butt between holes like Phil had rubbing his wrist a couple of weeks back, but no one even had the nerve to ask (hmmm, I wonder why?). All in all, we placed tied for 3rd (no money), but did have an awesome steak dinner for our troubles.

So now you know what how my laast 2 rounds have went. More after I figure out how to  crawl out of my computer chair....

Been out only several times this year. I guess that when you start your own business, playtime has to wait. Damn that rule! Anyway, Played in a 2 man scramble and played descent (thanks to my partner). Then played with him again, a week later, and well... LIKE TOTAL CRAP!!!! I haven't shot a score like that in 2-3 years. You know that your in trouble when your golf scores and bowling scores are almost identical.

Luckily, I got in 18 holes at the local executive course (with my wife and son) last week. HINT: Never let a 7 year old drive a golf cart with your wife sitting next to him... you'll end up walking 16 out of 18 holes. Anyway, I played pretty good and feel really confidant about the upcoming outing that my " partner" has signed us up for.