We played Stevens Park in Dallas Saturday.  They have just redone the course and I feel have done a great job.  I think we all liked the layout really well, and there are some great views of downtown Dallas from several places on the course.  On the back nine, the wind began picking up pretty well and seemed to affect everyone except TGO (the great one) who shot an incredible 81.  I think Joel shot an 89, Ed took pity on me and let me finish with a 98 and he closed it out with a 99.  I called my wife and told her I finished third!  She asked me if only 3 people played?  BADDA BING! 

We played from the blues, which really shouldn't have made much difference, but Joel was really psyched out over it.  I tried to side with him as he was whining over this, but it was still only 6000 yards.

Next week we play Bear Creek West, and it should be a great day.

Last Saturday, the 4 amigos played Whitestone in Benbrook.  The course was in good shape and the greens were "lightning fast".  It seemed the slightest tap sent the rock way past the hole.
As usual, Russell smoked us all with a very well managed 87.  Joel started off like a banshee and looked like he was going to run away with the match, but Russell always manages to dominate.  Joel finished with an 89.  Ed had a 99, and I had a 100.  I was really excited that I came close to not being last, but I did hit a few nice drives.

I think what separates Russell and Joel is their ability to manage their games.  When Joel can control his drives he is a formidable opponent, but week in and week out, you just have to go with Russell.

This Saturday, we are playing Stevens Park in Dallas.  It has been re-done and should be in really nice shape.  Stay tuned for more.

Well I was out last Saturday entertaining family visiting from California, and it sounds like I missed some great golf.  Joel was in a zone according to Russell.  He shot a 79!!  Russell shot an 84 and Bob had an 86.  Higgy came in last with a 106.  Waterchase is a great course and can be chakllenging, so kudos to all the guys.

I will be doing a community project this coming Saturday feeding the homeless at Unity Park in Fort Worth with my wife.  I am really looking forward to the following Saturday, no matter where we are playing.

We played Saturday at Whitestone and to my surprise, the course was in pretty good shape.  They have recently filed for bankruptcy but it was in fine shape.  As usual, Russell and Ed played another 9 holes while Joel and I hit the road.

As for the round, it was nip and tuck between Joel and Russell.  It was also nip and tuck for a while between Ed and me until he pulled away with a 98.  As usual I came in last with a 105.  Oh, Russell and Joel;  they finished with 83's.  I don't keep tally of where I am during the round, but to listen to Joel and Russell bitch about their game you would think they were playing awful.  I guess that is why they beat me like a drum.  Their ability to keep it together throughout the round.  Russell did have a few holes where he was trying to decide on using either the P or the S, but I think he made wise choices as usual.

Next week we are playing at Eagle Mountain Lake, which should be fun.  Stay tuned for a round up next week.

Saturday we played Split Rail.  It has rained the night before and so we were cart path only.  The course was in pretty good shape and the weather was great. 

Joel rebounded from his swearing, club throwing round in the 90's to a smooth 83.  Russell, as usual cranked out a nice 85.  If he could have gotten a few putts to drop early in the round, I think he would have won the match.  Ed played well also, and as usually I cam in last with a 95.  It could've been a lot better but I finished the last 5 holes at 13 over!!!! I am serving notice on the group for next week, however, that I have clearance from the doctor to use tylenol, so hopefully I won't hurt as bad.  We are playing Whitestone in Burleson next week.  It will be interesting to see what kind of shape the course is in since they have filed for bankrupcy protection along with Hidden Creek and Lost Creek.

Well we played Sugar Tree last Saturday.  It was COLD for the first 3 holes but warmed up nicely after that.  Russell, as usual, played pretty well.  He shot an 85, which pretty much smoked the rest of the group.  Bob Tole played with us, and it was really nice to have him with the group.  I think Bob came in 2nd with a mid 90's score.  Joel and I stunk up the course.  I shot a sparkling 103 and Joel played so badly for him that he even lost interest in major cussing and club throwing.  I think he shot 99.  Ed is in Pagosa for the balloon festival, which is awesome to see.  I think this week the regular foursome are playing Split Rail.  Hopefully I can get back into the 90's.

This week it's Sugar Tree in Dennis, TX.  I usually play pretty poorly there but it isn't because of the conditions.  Ed's going to be out of town so it will be Joel, Russell, Me and Higgy.  It should really be fun and COOL!!

I expect Russell to bounce back with a LOW round this week.  He has really been playing well lately.  He just let the course conditions get to him last week.  I'm sure that won't happen this week.  We are meeting at IHOP around 6:00 for breakfast.

We are having a family cookout this afternoon.  It should be fun.  I will be getting another buzz cut since the hair is growing back pretty well.  The radiation is killing my hair in specific spots so I would rather cut it all off.  I don't think it looks as bad.  So far I am tolerating chemo and radiation OK.  I have been walking about 2.5 hours per week to help my back and I think it's working. 

Have a blessed Labor Day.  Try to be a blessing to someone today.

Well today we played Champions Circle.  In my opinion it is way overpriced for what you get.  Typically, the traps are the worst in Tarrant county.  Joel came from behind to overtake Russell and Ed and wound up with the win, I think.  I'm not so sure about the scores.  I do know that I finished last and shot a 95.  I miscounted on the last hold and picked up for a triple when I was only lying 4.  I probably would have tripled anyway.

I think Russell shot an 88 and then I think it was Joel and Ed.  Ed is going to be in Pagosa Springs next week, so we will have a fill in for him.  We are playing Sugar Tree next week and looking foreward to it.

By the way, Russell played Sky Creek Ranch yesterday and shot a 79!!!!

Last Saturday I took a sabatical from golf.  Sherrill and I and the family went to New Braunfels area for the weekend.  We ate at our favorite restaurand in the area, The Gristmill on the Guadalupe River.  Unfortunately they have only fans and no A/C and we picked the hottest weekend.  We still had a great time.  We did tubing on the San Marcos river also.

The boys also had a great time on Saturday.  Joel really was ON with an 81.  Ed and Russell had 85's. Ed had 3 bridies but Russell was a bit bummed since he had just had a sparkling 76 a few days earlier.  In reality, Russell is playing quite a bit better than his score dictates since he doesn't roll the ball like the rest of us; you know he plays REAL GOLF which can be quite a bit more challenging than just playing from the blues vs whites.  If I really needed to pick someone to make a shot for all the marbles, I still think it's Russell.  This week we are playing Champions Circle and I am hopeful to be able to join the boys.  I start chemo and radiation and don't know how it will initially affect me, but I am planning to be there at 7:30.
Have a blessed week!

Well I have a mixed bag of news this posting.  YEAH!! I sold my travel trailer for what I was asking.  The trophy shop I was using for the engraving has folded.  I found a new one in Keller and will be getting the traveling trophy enggraved with "The Obama Boys" on it very soon.  I player at Sky Creek Ranch last Saturday with the guys.  It was awful.  The hip started hurting me on #5 and by the end I was swinging 1 handed but I got the round in.  I then follolw that up with a round on Thursday morning at Hawks Creek with Tony B and the guys.  I finally figured out how to stop overswinging.  I finished 18 in relatively little pain and shot an 85, which is my best round in a LONG time.  We are going to new Braunfels on Saturday as a family. Should be fun.  I am looking forward to playing at Sugartree the following Saturday with the 3 amigos.

Russell got in around n oon on Thursday from one of his blow off business trips "I mean one of his very important and critical to the company trips".  He went to Iron Horse around 1:00 and proceeded to shoot "lights out" with 3 birdies and a smooth 76.  Of course there were no witnesses to this but based on his recent play, there is no doubt in my mind he was killing the course.

Well guys, I found out I am not coming down with alzheimer's.  Now I almost wish I were.
I wound up in the emergency room and had brainsurgery.  I have terminal braincancer and so my golfing future at this point is uncertain.  The good news is that the more I finally realize my future was never really uncertain at all.  I have had Jesus in my life for many years and have been blessed beyond measure and with a wonderful family and many great friends.  The fruit of the spirit has surely been mine in my heart. 

My son got a hardship transfer to Meacham Airport and will be living close to home now.  Not that there is anything wrong with Lafayette Indianna, but it is so nice to have him close.  Now both my boys are close by.

I have some of the best friends a man ever could have.  Not just the joy class at church, but Ed, Russell, Joel, Dennis, Mark and Higgy.  You guys are so special and God willing, there are a few rounds of golf left for us together.  This week I need to get the trophy engraved with Joel and my name on it.  Russell has suggested " The Obama boys" on it since he calls us two retired federal  mployees that because we are on the government dole.  Unfortunately, my wife will no longer allow the trophy in our home, so it will be in Joel's house or someone elses as long as the Obama inscription is on it. As Russell always says, the trophy is now truly tainted. 

Russell is seeing Troy for lessons and I think it is really helping him.  He is really kicking butt now and his game is really getting honed.  I think the boys are playing my favorite this Saturday at Waterchase, so I cant wait to hear about it.  I got the staples out of my head on Wednesday and will find out more about my golfing future.  I actually like the shaved head look and ny wife thinks I am a handsome dude with it.  I think I,ll leave it like this.

See you all soon

Tournament Talk

Joel and I holding the winners trophy

The tournament was a blast and I think everyone had a great time.  The Cliffs is a beautiful golf course and the lodging and the food was fabulous.  The course has beautiful bent grass greens and nice sand trap.  The course can be very penalizing if you are not firmly in the fairway.  Even then there are grass berms that will eat your golf ball as well as the grass on the fringes of the fairways.  Suffice to say there were quite a few golf balls lost over the three day event. The heat really got to on Friday afternoon.  I guess I wasn't as hydrated as I thought.  It was around 104 degrees, but the rest of the group didn't crater like I did.  I guess I need to get in better shape.
We used a modified Stableford format.  Bob, Russell Ed and Higgy played 3 rounds each and Joel and I played 2.  The guys thay played three rounds got to throw out their worst round.  After the morning round on Friday, it was beginning to look like Ed would walk away with it, but as happens so often, over the course of the event, the unexpected takes place.  On Saturday morning, I caught fire along with Joel.  I finished the Saturday round strong and was putting really well.  Joel of course was his usual machine like putter and Joel and I wound up as co-champions of the 2011 4 R's tournament at The Cliffs, we need to come up with another name since there original 4 R's don't even play in the event any more.  In reality, I believe it was a chance event that really led to Joel and I winning.  At the evening meal, Russell did a coin flip to determine who rode with who for the final round.  Higgy won the coin flip and it resulted in Russell riding with Ed.  Russell riding with the leader is the Kiss of death for the leader.  Mr mind games has a way of bringing an opponent game to a grinding halt.  With all of Russell's skill in gamesmanship, the one thing he hasn't yet been able to figure out is how to win the trophy. Joel and I got to play in the first group and were far enough ahead of Russell to be out of his sphere of influence.

A big thanks to Higgy.  He is a property owner there and was able to get us discounts on almost everything.  Way to go Higgy.  We talked about having another outing at the Cliffs in October when it's a bit cooler.

The view out of Joel and my room

Here are some pictures

The British Open has begun.  I watched a bit of it this morning around 8:am.  I was struck by the contrast of Tom Watson teeing off behind the British Boys amateur champion, who looks about 12 years old.

We have finally gotten our short summer golf outing set up at the Cliffs resort at Possum kingdom.  We are going to play an abbreviated version of our yearly tournament there.  We have tee times on Friday Morning and Saturday as well.  Ed is setting up the format, but I think it's going to be a modified stableford.  If I had to pick a favorite right now, it would be Ed.  He has been playing really well lately.  Of course Joel and Russell are capable of firing a really low round at any moment, but on form, I am going with Ed.  Speaking of form, mine has been abysmal lately.  I am taking lessons trying to modify my swing a bit to take some pressure off my back.  We are working on a shorter backswing, taking the club a bit more to the inside and working on some alignment changes that make it easier to turn my lower body.  As you all know, it is difficult to change old habits, but it's either that or stop playing, which isn't going to happen as long as I have anything to do with it.  I am lucky to play with a group of guys that really have a good time and make it a fun time, so even a bad round with those guys is still fun.  Of course on the ocassional round when I don't come in last, it's even more fun.  Stay tuned for pictures and stories from the tourney.  Hopefully I won't mess up the picture taking like I did in Pagosa Springs, CO.

Well we spent the fourth of July in Pagosa Springs Colorado and had a great time.  We arrived on July 1st and settled in.  I played golf at the Pinon an the Meadows nines at Pagosa Springs Country Club.  I played with a Dentist from Houston and the owner of a new restaurant in town called Thai Chile.  It was a fun round and the course is very picturesque with great views of the mountains.  I played OK but nothing to write home about but did have 2 birdies mixed in with some pretty bad shots.  The ball carries a bit better at about 7500 feet.  I also hit one of the ugliest shots in recent years.  I hit a shank (yes I said it) and skipped the ball across a small lake up onto the green about 4 feet from the flag and birdie the hole.  This falls into the area of "they ask how many not how"
We ate at Tequila's Mexican restaurant sitting at an outdoor table above the San Juan River and across from the Pagosa Springs mineral baths.  After dinner, we changed into swimsuits and soaked in a 102 degree pool, which felt really good.  On July, 3rd, we ate at one of my favorites in Pagosa, JJ's by the River.  They have a pork C|hop that must be about 3 pounds cook and it absolutely delicious.

We staked out a primo spot for the July 4th parade, which was really fun and great small town fun.  Later on after dark we parke3d by the river and viewed a great fireworks display.  If you get a chance to visit Southwest Colorado, I can't recommend anywhere any higher.  We saw a gourgeous hot air balloon taking some folks for a ride on a beautiful crisp clear morning.

OK. enough of the travelogue.  This weekend 6 of us are going out to the Cliffs at Possum Kingdom to play 3 rounds.  and overnight on Friday.  I'm really looking forward to playing the course, which I understand can be tough but fun.  I report on it next week. Here's a link for the Cliffs for your viewing pleasure The Cliffs Resort

Well golf last Saturday was quite unusual.  Having your friends giving you putts in a gentlemanly gesture as opposed to them getting out a tape measure and verifying that the "within the rubber rule" was not violated certainly was different.  Even Joel failed to rise to his normal level of vocal activity and he failed to throw even 1 club.  All of this niceness and camaraderie was quite a diversion from playing in the normal cut throat, trash talking group.  I'll be back in the normal group in two weeks.


Stay tuned for pictures and stuff from Colorado.

Today I played Bear Creek East with Joel, Higgy and a friend named Johnny Morrow.  None of us played very well, but had fun.  Joel had an 89 and I had a struggling 95.  The course was in pretty good shape and it was breezy but not bad.  I hit a lot of good shots, but had my share of bad golf luck.

I will be in Pagosa Springs next weekend with the family.  I am playing the golf course up there while the others do a raft trip.  We are also doing the Durango to Silverton train ride again.  The kids havent done it before so they will have fun.  This time we are taking a bus back instead returning on the train.

Well I'm sitting in my easy chair watching the U.S. Open on Fathers Day.  McIlroy is -17 on #10 and it is all but a formality that he will win and probably set the new record for under par for a major championship.

I had an invite to play tomorrow morning at Frisco Lakes, but I have to travel to Chicago this week.  Russell and Ed are out this Saturday and it will likely be Joel and I and we'll see if we can get Higgy and Bob Tole.

I had a lesson with Troy Lewis at Fossil Creek on Friday.  I have been making really poor contact the past three weeks and need to get straightened out.  Troy's got me taking the club back a bit more to the inside as well as coming back to the ball more from the inside.  Also have a bowed wrist which is leaving the face open at contact.  Part of my problem is also that my back stiffens up after about 9 holes and makes it difficult to turn my lower body.  I've got to keep working on that.

Happy Father's Day to you all.

Well the Creeks was pretty fun.  The course was in nice shape, but it was really busy, which made play a bit slow.  I had a good nine and a lousy nine, but still had fun.  Russell won with a 90 and I think everyone else was in the mid 90's.  Russell, Ed and I had breakfast at IHOP on Trinity Mills before the round.  I wouldn't mind playing the creeks again, but it's a bit of haul there and back.  I think next week we are playing Waterchase.

Well I played my tournament round at Riverside today.  I actually had a pretty good round going until the 18th !!!!!!!!!
I hate that hole.  I was at 39 for the back 9 on the 18th tee, and took a SMOOTH 9.  Coupled with my 42 on the front it gave me a 90.  Oh well.  Sherrill gave me $400 worth of lessons for fathers day.  I really need these.

We are playing the Creeks course at Indian Creek on Saturday.  I don't think I have played that course, so am looking forward to it.  So far, it looks like we have 6 for our Cliff's outing.  That will work out and we can play 2 threesomes if we don't get anyone else.