The prodigal son returns...

I remember starting this blog quite a few years ago, in an effort to simply chronicle my exploits and adventures with golf. In that time, I've been fortunate to play many courses, great and otherwise, and meet many people who epitomized (and exploited) the gentlemen of golf, and vastly improved my game through hours of practice.

For all of this, I lost sight of a few things, namely the amount of time that I could have been with my family. While my coaching duties required my attention, it was the additional time that I put in beyond that required that took me away from my family. Beyond weak justifications, I finally realized that I was missing a huge part of my family due to my own actions. It was time for me to take a step away.

In the nearing two years since that time, I've played golf a total of four times, namely in charity tournaments with some buddies, but I didn't miss the game. I guess all the hours that I had put in (and away from my family) had been more than enough to satisfy the longing that I may have had.

I got an email the other day from our local golf course (the ownership is changing, and this website may quickly become outdated). Basically, there have been some positive changes made at the local golf course (new management and all) and in short, the rest of my family are interested in taking advantage of this and obtaining a membership. I guess it's funny how things go full circle. My son has a renewed interest in it, and is actually listening and following instruction. The wife is ready to take up the sport as well. All of this without my persuasion, I might add.

I'm excited about this next chapter in our lives. As I told my wife the other day as we discussed this possibility, I was always a bit jealous of the neighborhood men whose wifes would join them to play a round or two here and there. Maybe deep down, it was something I had wished for, and wow...here we are.

Pictured above, the split fairway Par-5 #11.

Shazam!

Tiger's Roar

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a Tiger Woods fan.

I like him for more reasons than one. Let's see, he and I are both half-Thai (our moms!). He and I are both December babies. We both like golf. The similarities end there pretty much. Oh, he and I have dark hair. That's it.

Tiger just won his 62nd PGA tournament, tying him with Arnold Palmer on the all time list. Twenty more and he can surpass Sam Snead's 82 wins.

Is he that good? Damn right. Could he be better? Yes. And for that, it proves how good he is.

Of course, in the game, you drive it to the fairway, hit your approach onto the green and one- or two-putt for birdie or par. Tiger? Well, for not hitting into the fairway as often as he should, he still laps the competition. If you've never hit a golf ball from the rough, try it. Now, get your ball to stick the green. Under PGA conditions. With the entire hold stacked four deep with spectators. For a million dollar check. That's when reality hits. I'm still waiting for Tiger to repeat his Tiger Slam, holding all four trophys at one time.

Perhaps someone will mention, "Well, if Tiger is so good, then how come he doesn't talk more with the press?" I think that stars of any venue, whether it be sports, acting, singing, or any other notoriety, should be courteous to their fan base and supportive of the press that feeds that base. I also can only imagine how difficult it could be with the current state of the paparazzi and how any and everything is blown up to effect drama. While I would love to read more about Tiger, or even just watch an interview with him, I understand his take on the media's sometimes motives about creating drama.

Oh well. Keep up the good work Tiger.