Teeter Hangups

About a week ago, I started using my inversion table.  It's called a "teeter Hangups".  It is used to hang upside down at varying angles to help stretch out your spine.  When I first started, it felt like my eyeballs were going to pop out, but after a few times, I have adjusted to it.  I hang at about a 60 degree angle for 3 minutes each morning and it has made a difference.  My spine doctor says we're not ever going to make my back well, but we are controlling how badly it deteriorates.  The "rack" as I affectionately call the inversion table, is noticeably helping.

January 27,2011

We went out tonight to Olive Garden, partially to celebrate my son getting placed into the ATC Terminal program.  I had Wheat Pasta with meat sauce and sausage.   It was really good.  I missed out on an invite to play Hawks Creek today.  The course is in great shape for this time of year.  I'm going to try to get in a round tomorrow since it's going to be 70 degrees!!!

Mahogany Run at St. Thomas

We leave Saturday aboard the Oasis of the Seas.  We go to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.  I'll be playing Mahogany Run at St. Thomas on Tuesday.  It should be an awesome round.  I'm just going to rent equipment from the ship rather than take my sticks.  Stand by for pictures.

Let's Golf Soon, Vito

My friend Vito is recovering from heart transplant surgery.  We have been friends for more than 55 years, though we don't see each other much anymore.  One of my fondest memories in recent years was meeting up with him at my sister's house in N.Y. about 6 years ago.  Although we hadn't seen each other for nearly 30 years, it was like we hadn't missed a day.  My son Kendall still recalls how much Vito made him laugh.  We played golf at his country club in Bellport, Long Island and had a wonderful round of golf and lunch afterwards.  I can't wait for our next round, but this time it will be my treat.  Blessings Vito for a quick and complete recovery.

Saturday at Waterchase

The Four Amigos played Waterchase today.  We were delayed about 2 hours for frost, but once we got off, the weather really warmed up and it was a beautiful day.  It was a close match all day, but they pulled away from me at the end.  As usual, it came down to the last hole.  Today Joel made it interesting by taking a triple on the last hole, but no one could overhaul him.  When the match was over, Joel shot 89, Ed 90, Russell 91 and I brought up the rear with a 93.  I was able to purchase 4 rounds for The Tribute at a deep discount today.  We have until 4/15 to use it, and I'm looking forward to it.

We B Cruisin'

On 1/29, we leave for the Southern Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas.  We've been looking forward to this for months now.  We leave out of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.  This cruise has a quilting group on board, so Sherrill will be quilting on the sea days and I'll be golfing in St. Thomas!  It's another thing I can cross off my "bucket list".  Stand by for pictures.

Riverside

This weeks match was at Riverside Golf Club in Grand Prairie.  Today, we were the 4 Amigos minus Ed, who was at a financial seminar (where are your priorities?).  It was both cold and damp; yuk!  The heavy air meant the ball wasn't carrying or rolling like normal.  The greens were really rolling well.  Pretty fast for a damp day and in good condition.

Russell was ahead by 5 strokes after the front nine, however Joel came on like gangbusters.  He birdied 10 and 11 and we had an even match.  From then on, it was like two heavyweights fighting for the championship.  It looked like Russell had an opening on 18 when Joel put his 3rd shot in the water, but he hit a brilliant recovery shot to 2 inches.  Russell's chip to the green didn't make it, and Joel won by a stroke.

Here's a tidbit from the golf shop at Riverside.  Titleist has discontinued the NXT Extreme golf ball.  The NXT is the replacement for it.  They still make the NXT Tour and NXT DT roll as well as the PRO V1 and V1X.

The Covers are Coming OFF!

If you're in the market for a round of golf this weekend, Sugartree Golf Course has announced that this Friday thru Sunday (1/14 - 1/16) twilight rates are in effect with not time stipulations.  If you haven't played there, it's worth the drive to Dennis, Texas.  It's a great course and you can't beat the price, so tee em' high and let it fly!

Cold Weather Golf Anyone?

It looks like we won't be golfing until the weekend.  Sunday we had anywhere from 5 inches (Garland) to .2 (DFW) of snow.  The snow is mostly gone, but the arctic cold is setting in.  The forecast is for low temperatures in the teens with the coldest due Wednesday morning.  Saturday should get off to a cool start, but the mercury should rise to the mid 50's.

Sherrill and I went out Geocaching today.  She has set a goal of finding 1 per day.  We've got some "bugs" to take with us on our upcoming cruise, and we will place them as some of our ports of call.  It was fun today, but the cold adds a sense of urgency to finding the cache.

Spring Fling?

Chumps, Mullets and Clowns (you know who you are).  Ed mentioned this morning that we need to start thinking about a "spring fling" golf outing.  Original thoughts are for a Saturday 36 hole tournament at one of the local courses.  Please submit your ideas so we can start to get a handle on what we want to do.  I suppose it's not really too early to also be thinking about the annual "4 R's" tournament in the fall.  Ideas on that are also welcome.  By the way, since the original 4 R's are not intact anymore, how about re-naming the tournament.  Maybe the CMC Invitational (Chumps, Mullets and Clowns).  Let me know.  Higgy, since you were crowned the 2010 Tournament Champion, the traveling trophy has not been suitably engraved memorializing this great achievement and high honor.  If you will get me the trophy, I'll have it engraved with your name prominently displayed.

Saturday at Champions Circle

4 Amigos

Russell, Ed, Joel and I (the 4 amigos) played at Champions Circle this morning.  Our tee time was 8:24 but we got off around 9:00 due to a frost delay.  I played like a dork on the front, but had a 43 on the back.. Still, I brought up the rear of the group.  Russell and Ed were neck and neck after 9 with Joel having a bit of trouble.  Joel closed things up pretty well on the back nine and, as usual, it came down to the last hole.  Russell, also known as Mr. Clutch (that's one of the nicer things he is known as) came through with a birdie on #18 to take today's match.  He really hangs tough and grinds it out.  Nice job, Russell.  As usual, I was the big loser in "Wolf".

Cleaning Your Grips

Now is a good time to get the golf equipment in shape for the coming Spring golf season.  Since the grip is the only contact your hands have with the golf club, it is imperative that it be in good shape and free of dirt and debris.  A good way of keeping these grips fresh and clean is to follow this four step method.

1- Fill a sink part way with luke warm water and add some dish detergent.  Make lots of soapy suds!

2- Use a cloth to scrub the grip with the soapy suds.  Be careful not to get water under the grip.
3- Rinse with clean water.  Again be careful not to get too much water under the grip.
4- Use a separate cloth to dry the grips.
This keeps your grips soft and oil free.  Research has shown that clean grips can improve your game by as many as 3 strokes due to decreased grip pressure (club strangulation).

If the grips are worn out, they should be replaced.

Courses to Play

Tierra Verde is a great course in Arlington, TX.  The course was opened in 1998.  It has a nice variation of hole layouts with 5 sets of tees.  Tierra Verde has a state of the art learning center and a 3 hole practice course.  Practice facilities include a driving range and excellent putting, chipping and sand bunker areas.

The Ventana Grill is an excellent restaurant with an outdoor pavilion and a great place for dinner as well.

A weekend round in season will cost about $70, not including range balls.  A coupon is available on GOLFQ for $5 off 

Do You Want an Official Handicap?

If you play tournaments, it’s important to have an official handicap, but how do you get one?  You must belong to a type 3 golf club.  Check out GOLFQ.com.  This is an easy way to either start your own club or join an established one.  There are instructions for doing both on the site.  We started a local club (Chumps, Mullets and Clowns) about 3 years ago.  I also belong to Fort Worth Golf Club #975.  You can keep detailed statistics on your game.  It’s fun and helpful in improving weak aspects of your game.

 Like GHIN, GOLFQ (Stracka) is a computation service, not a club.  Although GOLFQ is a free site, you must become a paying member to obtain an official handicap (Less than $20 per year). 

Champions Circle Golf Course

Ed and I played a quick 18 at Champions Circle in North Fort Worth today.  Fairways are dead, but spongy, so not too much worry about tight lies.  The greens were good, but the sand bunkers are awful!  It hasn't rained in a week, but virtually every bunker had puddles in them and they were hard.  We've played here before and the bunkers have always been bad.  It was cool, er..okay it was COLD except for the few times the sun came out.  My short game stinks.  I shot 91.

It's worth playing, but only with a coupon from GOLFQ or off their website.  Standard fees are a bit high for the course. 

Texas Star

I Played Texas Star on Thursday with Doc and Russell.  Course is in great shape for December 29th.  We all shot 92.  I could have beat Russell if I hadn't gagged on my 2nd shot at 18.  It turned out ok though.  If I had beat him, we would have had to call ahead to Annette and have her hide all the sharp objects at home.  If you get a chance to play the Texas Star in Euless, TX, don't miss it.  It is a perennial top 5 public course with Bent grass greens.  Adequate driving range, but really nice chipping and putting area.  Range balls included in the price ($60 on weekdays and $80 on weekends).  If you are coming in to DFW from out of town, it's only about 5 miles West.  Another nice round while you're in the DFW area is Bear Creek.  It is on the DFW airport grounds.  They have two 18's (East and West).  Both worth playing, though I like the West better.

Keep your eye on the ball and finish high!