Monthly Archives: March 2014

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April Madness

Greetings Golfers,

Next week is April. We’re getting close. Tomorrow is supposed to get to 58.

I usually look at the Masters as the start of the golf season. This year the Masters is April 10-13. And at the moment, we’re planning to open the golf course on April 15. Not bad – a week later than normal.

Are you in a Masters pool? Pools can really make sporting events interesting – look at March Madness.

So I’m in the Tee Times magazine’s Tee Times Cup – a bunch of characters are put on the spot every month to pick guys for the big tournament – usually a major. For the Masters I chose Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia. Here’s a link to the other picks: http://teetimes.epubs.forumprinting.com/publication/?i=196907  (see page 3).

Tee Times has great content. R.J. Smiley’s columns are always unusual and interesting. Chris Foley always has helpful and insightful thoughts on the golf swing. That’s the end of my review – check it out for yourself.

Good luck with your NCAA picks – and get into a Masters pool. Because when they’re over … the golf courses will be open and you’ll be outside making up for this long winter.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Blog

Common Sense?

Greetings Golfers,

I’m a big believer in Common Sense. People like to say that Common Sense isn’t so common anymore, and they may be right.

What I think is taking its place is Conventional Wisdom. They are very different cats. Here’s my analogy: If someone was building a house on a cliff – Common Sense would say that they’re crazy. But, Conventional Wisdom would say “Everyone else is, so it must be ok”. Pretty different ways of looking at things.

This is an article that I’ve wanted to write for many years – but it’s difficult to put it into words.

Ironically, I think Common Sense is like that – it’s hard to put into words. It’s gut instinct – you just know it.

Conventional Wisdom is much easier to quantify – it can be the result of a survey. Your gut might tell you it’s wrong – but the numbers in a survey make it seem scientific. But if a majority of the people in the survey say that the sky is green – that still doesn’t make it correct.

Businesses are too reliant on surveys. A good businessman knows what the customer wants – he’s ahead of the customer. A good politician does the right thing – not run around and read the polls to keep getting elected.

Democracy is a pretty good thing. But mob rule is not a good thing. That’s why we have the Bill of Rights – to protect the individual from the mob.

Unfortunately, Conventional Wisdom can be mob rule. Let’s bring back Common Sense.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Profesional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Blog

Life Is Not A Spectator Sport

Greetings Golfers,

Modern life has turned into a big spectator sport. I don’t mean just watching sports, but watching everything from politics to warfare. Television gives us a ringside seat to almost anything going on in the world, and the internet offers even more options for viewing.

I’ll admit that I spend a lot of my time spectating. But we only have so many hours in a day, and it’s a shame if we spend too many of those hours as an observer.

I’m kind of a political junkie and a big sports fan, I also watch television and go to movies. Sometimes I feel that my amount of viewing gets out of balance – life needs to be lived, not just observed.

Thank God for golf. We ALL can play the game: old, young, big, small, etc. A buddy of mine lost the use of his right arm in a farming accident, but stills plays golf at least twice a week during the season. We all can find excuses not to play: not enough time, not enough money, not enough talent, etc. But you know what … we seem to find the time and money to watch sporting events, go to movies, etc. We seem to find ways to watch life rather than participate. If being modern means watching rather than doing … well, then we’re going the wrong way and setting a bad example for future generations.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Profesional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Blog

Spring Ahead

Greetings Golfers,

Two years ago we opened for play on March 16. We weren’t forcing it – it was 74 degrees and the course was ready to go. Then last year, we opened at the end of April and then closed for a week in May because of a blizzard.

Both of those years were very unusual.

So, I’ve expected this year to be normal. Our normal opening is around April 7. Will we open around then this year? Maybe. Barry Provo – our Greenkeeper – is a very wise man. He said that the frost under the fairways is minimal, and that the snow is light and not compacted. Thus, once it warms up, spring could come very quickly.

That’s only a month away. Are you ready? I’m not. I need to get in shape. A few weeks ago I played with some serious players, and we all walked and carried our bags. Some of us were tired after only 6 holes. Well not exactly some of us… rather, one of us. I fueled up after 9, but that only carried me for a couple of holes. My last 4 holes were not impressive.

Even though golf is not physically intense – it helps to be in shape.

We won’t open early this year. But we probably won’t open late. That gives us March to get in shape. I don’t mean marathon shape – I mean golf shape.

This Sunday is Spring Ahead … sort of the perfect phrase to get ready for the golf season.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Profesional
tabts@deerrungolf.com