Greetings Golfers,

Recently, two American cultural icons passed away. Both had ambitions of playing professional baseball – one became a writer and the other became a golfer.

Tom Wolfe died last week at 88 years old. He was known for his New Journalism that allowed the author to be part of the story. Wolfe loved to attack pretentiousness in both status seekers and intellectuals. His early books: “The Electric Kool-Aid Test” and “Radical Chic”  were great exposes of the 60s counter-culture. Wolfe’s later book “Bonfire of the Vanities” really nailed the 80s Wall Street scene. He wore white suits like Mark Twain and had an attitude like H.L. Mencken. Wolfe knew what it was to be American … a common-sense that much of the world and even much of America doesn’t seem to understand or appreciate. R.I.P.

Doug Ford died about 10 days ago at 95 years old. Ford grew up in a tough neighborhood in New York. Of the 10 guys he hung around with “Six went into the FBI, the other four went with the mob. I’m the only one who didn’t end up carrying a gun.” Ford was a great pool player and believed his pool skills translated to his legendary short game. He was slow to go on Tour because he made so much money playing rich guys for high stakes. This quote is classic Ford “If you want to be a Tournament player, you have to handle the heat. The way to learn is play for your own dough.” Ford learned well. He won two majors – the PGA Championship and the Masters and is in the Golf Hall of Fame. R.I.P.

I’m not surprised that both guys were baseball players – the most American of games. Their Americanism was good for writing and good for golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Yesterday was like a beautiful mid-summer day. It was in the 80s, sunny, with a light breeze. And today is supposed to be more of the same.

However, the forecast for the weekend is a little cooler with a chance of rain. So, maybe it won’t be as amazing weather-wise as today … but it should still be a great weekend. Remember, we only have about 20 of these warm weather weekends a year in Minnesota … don’t get too fussy … you’ll be mad at yourself in February for wasting beautiful golf weather.

Yeah, I snuck “golf weather” in there. I have my priorities in order. Normally around now, I send out my annual blog about not letting weather forecasts deprive you of good golfing weather. Make a reservation … come out to play … we want you on the golf course. We’ll give you a raincheck or a pass or refund your money if the weather turns crazy.

We want you to play golf … not try to take advantage of you.

Speaking of crazy … next Friday is our first FunPlayFriday of 2018. Could be our last … Animal House is the theme. Don’t blame me … our staff has wanted to do this for a LONG time.

You might want to fire-up your VCR and re-watch the antics of the members of Delta House … goof balls such as Otter, Hoover, Bluto, Pinto, and Flounder.

For a mere $75, you’ll get golf, cart, range, lunch … and alcoholic beverages served on assorted tee boxes throughout the golf course.

It’ll be fun … but don’t expect a toga party.

Cheers

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

This blog goes out every Friday morning at 9:00. Last Friday morning at 9:00, I was at a Veterinary Clinic with our dog Harvey. Many of you knew Harvey. I wouldn’t say he was the DRGC mascot – he was much more than a mascot – he was a real presence.

Harvey had more personality than any dog I’ve ever known. The first year that we had him (we got him as a puppy) he was a full-blown menace. Three different trainers tried and quit – he was untrainable. Harvey wasn’t a jerk … he was just unbelievably independent. And hilarious. He was a trickster. Like most families – we spent most of our time together in the den/tv room. Harvey was always there with us, and would go to the patio door and hit it with his paw to let us know that he had to go outside. So, when I’d get up from my chair to open the door … he’d hop up and steal my chair. This happened constantly. He knew I couldn’t take the risk that he didn’t really have to go outside.

Harvey loved Deer Run. When a friend sent me condolences the other day, he said “How many dogs get to run a golf course?” Yeah – he had a great life. But just like Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” … he did it HIS way! And like a lot of bright people, he had his neurotic “stuff”. He wouldn’t walk over certain lines in floors. He’d go crazy if I looked out the window in my office. Yet, he was confident. Neurotic and confident – what a combination. And a trickster. And loyal. Very loyal.

That loyal thing dogs are famous for – how good is that? It’s probably the main reason that we become so attached to dogs. We trust them. We don’t have to prove our worth. They love us unconditionally. And hopefully we love them unconditionally. That’s harder for us humans. We get angry when people don’t live up to our expectations. Those expectations get in the way of love. I don’t mean acts of betrayal … I mean not being perfect. Too often we think we’re not deserving of love if we’re not perfect. My lack of perfection was not an issue for Harvey. I knew he loved me.

His final act was classic Harvey. The vet warned me that the shot to sedate him would “sting”. It must have stung … because Harvey bit him. The vet was shocked … he hadn’t seen Harvey move since I brought him in. But that was classic Harvey … he was going to get in the final word or bite.

I can’t believe how much I miss him.

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Happy Friday the 13th.

Yes, it’s April 13 and we still have snow on the ground. And, we’ll probably get more cold and snow this weekend.

Don’t worry, we will open on April 25. I can feel it.

Life is seldom smooth and easy. We often need inspiration to keep motivated. I’m one of those cornballs who loves good quotes. And most of the quotes I like are inspirational.

Probably my favorite quote master is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – the writer of “Faust”. Here are some of his best:

“Whatever you can do, or believe you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

“Things that matter most, must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.”

“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.”

Spring is a time to rejuvenate. The weather will become Springlike soon … but you don’t have to wait for nice weather to rejuvenate yourself. Change your attitude – get inspired – Friday the 13th can be a lucky day. Read some more Goethe quotes!

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Do you remember when Jack Nicklaus won the Masters in 1986?

Can’t believe it was 32 years ago. Though it was a beautiful day in Minnesota, we watched the final round from start to finish. Golf on television has been getting amazing ratings lately – all because of Tiger Woods. If Tiger is in the hunt on Sunday … your television might explode. I suspect you’ll be watching even if Tiger doesn’t make the cut … it’s not like you’ll be playing golf in Minnesota on Sunday.

This year will definitely be our latest opening at Deer Run GC. Our average opener is April 4.

It’s not the end of the world. Just a strong reminder from Mother Nature not to waste this year’s golf season.

It looked cold for Augusta. Did you see Jack and Gary Player tee off yesterday morning? Player is 82 years old and looks strong and flexible – he killed his drive off #1. How about Bernhard Langer shooting +2? Or Freddie Couples shooting even par? Amazing.

And Tiger shot +1. When he was 3 over after 12 holes, I was worried. Definitely want him to make the cut. Phil was -2. Everyone wants to see a Phil-Tiger shootout on Sunday. Throw in Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas and Rory … and you’d have the greatest Masters since Jack won in 1986. And if Tiger won … you’d probably have the greatest Masters of all time.

Well, wish I’d be seeing you at the golf course this weekend … but this Masters might make the snow outside no big deal.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

We’ve all heard that saying … but what does it mean? Simply, it means that wanting to do something isn’t good enough. It means you actually HAVE to do it.

When I interview people, I’m very concerned that they “get it” … that they understand our culture … that they have good intentions. But, I also have to sense if they will do it … not just intend to do it.

The secret is commitment. Commitment can feel rigid. But that rigid feeling means that you’re all in. And you need to be all in to really do what you intend to do.

A good golfer needs to be committed to every golf shot. Golfers always talk about focus. I think what they really mean is commitment.

In the book “How We Talk Can Change the Way We Work” is a great paragraph:

“The language of complaint, essentially tells us and others, what we can’t stand. The language of commitment tells us (and others) what we stand for. Without having our complaints taken away, and without giving them up,the language of commitment enables us to make a shift from experiencing ourselves as primarily disappointed, complaining, wishful critical people to experiencing ourselves as committed people who hold particular convictions about which is most valuable, most precious, and most deserving of being defended or promoted.”

Commitment is the road to Heaven.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com