Greetings Golfers,

Did you watch “Mad Men” the other night? It was the first episode of their final season, and people complained it was boring.

I didn’t think it was boring. Maybe the soap-opera stuff wasn’t exciting, but that’s not why I watch it. I love the inside look at Madison Avenue during the ‘60s – how those maniacs were trying to control and expand the markets of post WWII America.

But I especially enjoy watching how those experts at knowing the pulse of America were coming to grips with the cultural upheavals of the 60’s. The main character – Don Draper – can’t understand what’s happening. How can his world of Frank Sinatra and the Ratpack be giving way to the Beatles?

How did the world of golf handle those times? Do you remember Jack Nicklaus growing out his hair? I’m serious – he really did. That’s when you knew the tide had turned.

Every generation rebels and wants to be different from their parents. But the ‘60s rebellion was probably the most radical in American history – even more than the Roaring ‘20s. Probably because of the huge number of “Baby Boomers”, and thus their effect on a democracy and a market-driven economy. The sheer size of the number of Boomers made the normal generational rebellion into a revolution.

So now those Baby Boomers are grandparents. My job is to figure out how to market to the Boomers and their kids.  Hopefully both generations like Stairway/Fairway to Heaven.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Here’s a bunch of random questions:

• Is Adam Scott the best player in the world?

• Is Tiger Woods done? Steroids?

• Should Wisconsin have beat Kentucky?

• Did winning the NIT help the UofM?

• Is the Wild a good hockey team?

• Will the Gophers beat Union?

• Will the Twins lose 90 games again?

• Are the T-Wolves hexed?

• Will the Vikings draft Johnny Football?

• Will we have a nice spring?

• Was this the worst winter ever?

• Is Flight 370 in the ocean?

Here’s a statement – not a question – we’re opening the golf course on Tuesday.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Hemingway described courage as “Grace under pressure.” I think that’s one aspect of courage – though that might also describe a certain type of apathy.

I think most of us would describe courage as doing what we should do when we’re afraid to do it. Courage is more about doing what is difficult than maintaining our cool.

Playing golf can take courage. Playing a shot while strangers are watching is pretty scary for most average golfers. And playing to win can be pretty scary for professional golfers.

That’s what makes the Masters so much fun. The back nine at Augusta National is full of risk/reward holes. It takes courage to go for birdie (or eagle) on those finishing holes. And, the winner goes under par on the back nine – playing safe won’t win the Green Jacket.

I’m not talking reckless – that will usually end in disaster. No, I mean the courage to play smart and be aggressive.

It’s sort of the Wizard of Oz. Like the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Lion – you need Heart, Brains, and Courage. Reckless is Courage without Brains.

As for “Grace under pressure” … yeah, I respect that. But courage is doing the right thing when it’s difficult. Hemingway blew his brains out with a shotgun. He was always always obsessed with being cool. When he got older and thought he wasn’t cool anymore… he took a not very courageous way out.

Being courageous is always cool – being cool isn’t always courageous.

Cheers,

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

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

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

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

Greetings Golfers,

Do you remember that song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”? As bizarre as it was – it’s probably the most famous song to come out of Australia.

Who’s the most famous golfer to come out of Australia? That’s pretty easy – Greg Norman. Who’s the best golfer to come out of Australia – Peter Thomson.

Yeah – Peter Thomson. (No p in Thomson). He won 5 British Opens … 3 in a row – 1954, ’55, and ’56.

His final British Open title came in 1965, and is considered his most important because he beat Palmer, Nicklaus, Player and Tony Lema – the defending champ.

Thomson won all over the world, but he didn’t do well in America. He was a low ball hitter who ran the ball onto the green. American courses were too lush for his style of play. His only victory over here was the Texas Open – not exactly lush in those days.

He had a very simple swing and relied on steely nerves, great course management, and excellent putting. This quote from him says it all “The most important facets of golf are careful planning, calm and clear thinking, and the ordinary logic of common sense”.

Does Thomson like the modern game of professional golf? Not so much. He doesn’t like “sluggers” and the emphasis on power instead of control. He especially doesn’t like modern super long, over lush, fast greens courses. Why doesn’t he like fast greens? He thinks it makes putting too easy and takes away from the emphasis on shot making. He says that when they played on slow greens, they never made anything over 10 feet and not much past 5 feet.

As you can see, Thomson’s a pretty opinionated guy. He’s had a newspaper column for 60 years … and people love him or hate him. But everyone respects him and admits that he’s a bright guy and a good man.

Will Adam Scott become the best Australian golfer? Wouldn’t surprise me – he’s ready to dominate. Will Australia come up with a more famous song than “Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport”? I sure hope so.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

About 15 years ago at our Annual Ranger/Starter Meeting, I introduced sort of a mission statement. It was called the 3 C’s – Communication, Courtesy, and Commonsense.

It was not a rule book. It just emphasized the need for our staff to use their head. One of our Rangers wanted more signs telling people what not to do. I explained that’s why we have Rangers and not signs. Too often signs are scolding – I don’t pay money to be scolded.

And I don’t want our Rangers scolding people. That’s why the 3 C’s matter. If the Rangers communicate in a courteous way and use common sense … no one gets scolded. Do we need Rangers to keep play moving? Yes. And do we need Rangers to offer assistance if needed. Yes. Signs can’t do those things.

The 3 C’s are at the heart of all service businesses. Robots and signs can’t substitute for a Courteous person with Commonsense who is a good Communicator.

You’d get a kick out of our interview process. Basically, it’s all about the culture of Deer Run GC. If they don’t get it, they don’t get hired – no matter how wonderful their resume may be.

The three C’s – it’s not rocket science … but it’s vital for a good customer experience.

Cheers,

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