Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

October 24, 2015October 22, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

As I walked in beautiful surroundings of our favorite path today with my best friend, the feeling of gratitude flowed through my body. As we strolled in the falling leaves breathing the crisp fall air, we both felt at peace. It is during days like this, I take the opportunity to get lost in my thoughts.

During this particular walk, I was counting my blessings and came across this little fella!

Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

As my wife and I watched him slowly make his way across the path, I was amazed by his unwavering focus and desire to move forward. It took little steps and just kept moving. Each step, he moved closer to his goal or destination. Although, I believe the journey is as important as the destination, this little guy seemed focused on his end goal.

As I thought about my little friend, I thought of my 2015 golf season. I realized that my journey towards scratch is becoming more and more difficult. The reason for my increased difficulty falls in my willingness to make changes, practice difficult shots, and to for my ego to accept short-term poor scores! These and many more challenges face players with a single digit handicap!

I am not sure what the 2016 golf season will bring, but thanks to my new friend I will keep moving towards my goal. Life sometimes throws us curve balls, but keeping our eyes on the prize will help us achieve anything!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Dude, Where’s my Ball!

October 17, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

Fall is an awesome time for golf! As golfers leisurely walk down a leaf filled fairway, the crunch of the fallen gems add to the ambiance of awesomeness on the course. Fall is my favorite time of the year to golf! The colours are spectacular, the air is crisp, and it beckons images of hope all the time. I am always grateful to be golfing in the fall!

However, the fall also poses challenges. The biggest drawback is the dead leaves all over the fairway and rough (I know, I am contradicting myself). They hide the ball as if it was the Treasure of the Knights Templar! I have lost balls in the fairway because of these dreadful offerings of mother nature. Normally, I would be annoyed at losing a ball in the fairway, however, at this time in the season, I am just grateful; so I just drop a ball and move on.

Now, looking for a ball in a jungle of leaves can be challenging; looking for a ball because the driver of a golf cart was not paying attention is another. On Tuesday last, we were playing an 18 hole scramble match play finals for our local intersection golf league. As we made our way down the 12th hole, I looked over at our competition and realized they were looking for their ball.

As a per normal, I made my way over and started to help search out their wayward ball. After about 4 minutes, they worked their way over to their cart. As they jumped in the cart from the passenger’s side I looked over and saw a ball sitting beside the back tire. I calmly asked if it was their ball and by the embarrassed look on the driver’s face, I knew it was.

It is interesting how the driver did not see the ball considering he almost ran it over. I think that it was covered by a leaf and as he drove up to the ball, the leaf was blow away. Regardless, after a quick chuckle (and a few jabs from the driver’s partner), we all went back to playing our match. The match was great fun, the company was excellent, and the results were awesome! Guess who won?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links.

2015 Golf Season is in the Books

October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Every year I try to finish my golf season with something special. This year, I was fortunate to be invited to play Trillium Wood Golf Club in Corbyville, Ontario. This course is a definite must play if you are in the area. It offers extremely reasonable rates – $30 to $55 for 18 holes – and a picturesque course that does not quit.

Mike Claire, the GM at my home course of Roundel Glen Golf Course, offered to treat Mike and Jean and myself to a round of golf at Trillium. Never ones to turn down a chance to golf an awesome course, we readily accepted. I have played Trillium Woods before and this golf trip was the perfect way to end a great golfing season.

Par 3 – Important to stay short and left of the pin. Trillium Wood Golf Course

Upon arrival, we were met by the Trillium Wood GM, Greg Seemungal, and immediately felt like royalty. I have dealt with Greg before during my club fitting earlier in the year and I can say that he makes my every experience at Trillium Wood a memorable one.

The day was sunny, but cool. The course was in fantastic shape for the first of August, let alone the middle of October. It was a perfect combination of short holes, medium challenges, and down right ‘hit the right shot or else’ holes! I would recommend Trillium Woods to anyone looking for a great round of golf.

Always grateful to play golf at an awesome course!

Playing at Trillium Woods Golf Course was actually the low point of the trip….if you can imagine! The real highlight of the round was the company. Mike C, Mike S, and Jean were an awesome group to golf with for my final round of the season. We played a 6-6-6 game and Mike C schooled us, but it was all in fun. Actually, Jean, Mike S and I decided to let him win because his ego could not handle losing to the old guys! We laughed, joked and poked fun at each other all day! It was a fantastic way to end my ear. Thanks Fellas!

If you want to see more pictures of the Trillium Golf Course – check them out at my FB Page!

Although my golf season is over, my gratitude for golf has not diminished. Bring on 2016!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Danny Willett: The Race to Dubai

October 14, 2015October 14, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / Leave a comment

The Race to Dubai is the European Tour’s answer to the PGA Tour’s FEDEXCUP. The Race pits European Tour players in a yearlong point format competition and that culminates in a four tournament playoff starting on 25 Oct at the Turkish Airlines Open in Antalya, Turkey. Followed by the WGC-HSBC Champions, BMW Masters, and finally the DP World Tour Championship, all players will be vying for the a large portion of the prize money and the prestigious Vardon Trophy.

Currently, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Louis Oosthuizenm, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose are the top contenders leading to the playoffs. With two events to play before The Race to Dubai playoffs, these five players are likely to remain the favourites down the homeward stretch.

Controversy about McIlroy’s eligibility was voiced due to his ankle injury which forced one of the world’s best professional golfers to sit out three scheduled European Tour events this summer. The injury prevented McIlroy from playing in the required 13 events to remain in The Race to Dubai. However, European Chief Exec, Keith Pelley, stated that MCilroy’s injury fits the “exceptional circumstances” clause for The Race and permitted the current point leader permission to qualify after playing 12 European Tour events.

Danny Willett is quoted as saying he is happy for McIlroy and understands the challenges ahead if he wants to be the top player on the European Tour. Further in the news, Willett turned down the offer from the PGA Tour to play fulltime in America in 2016. Willett stated he wanted to win more on the European Tour and to continue to hone his game before making any move. Willett really has nothing to prove, yet he seeks to be the best on the European Tour; I wise choice by such a young professional.

When McIlroy first announced his ankle injury, I wrote that Danny Willett was in the driver’s seat to win The Race Dubai. Willett was playing extremely well and by all accounts he was the player to beat. The recent decision by the European Tour to allow McIlroy to compete may have torpedoed Willett’s changes at the top spot, but I do not think so.

Danny Willett is the right position to win The Race to Dubai. This two-time European Tour winner plays well in big events. His sixth place finish at The Open Championship and his recent win Omega European Masters are perfect examples of his ability to raise to the occasion; however he is a streaky player and if wants to duplicate the play of Jason Day, he will have to be more consistent during The Race to Dubai playoffs.

I am looking forward to the start of The Race to Dubai and see if my prediction of Danny Willett taking it all comes through. He will be playing against seasoned veterans, but if has his sights on moving up the world rankings, the 2015 Race for Dubai is the perfect test.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Rickie Fowler: Rising to the Top of Golf

October 12, 2015October 13, 2015 / The Grateful Golfer / 4 Comments

Rickie Fowler is a rising star. He is a hungry lion who is proving that the young players on the PGA Tour are here to stay. After turning pro in 2009 at the age of 21, Fowler has steadily improved his standing within the professional ranks. Since the moment he emerged on tour, he has been touted as one of the future stars of golf.

Exactly one year ago, I predicted that Rickie Fowler would have a breakout year in 2015. His steady improvement over his first 5 years of professional golf was a great indicator that Fowler’s time had arrived. However, many pundits and critics suggested that Fowler was on over-rated player who did not meet the hype ‘they’ built early in Fowler’s career.

In 2015, Fowler finished with 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third and 7 to 10s. He won the Players Championship, the Deutsche Bank Championship, and, most recently, helped the US win the Presidents Cup. Fowler finished 4th in the FEDEXCUP and finished 5th in the world ranks as if this article. Not bad for an over-rated player.

As great of a season that Fowler had, there were still golf analysts, as late as August, suggesting that Fowler is a flash in the pan. He would not sustain his great play and doubted if he was one of the future superstars of golf. Of course, when comparing Fowler to Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, all players look a full tier below the two best golfers in the world. But, as I stated in earlier posts, Fowler is ready to be included as one of the future stars of golf.

Since losing his swing coach in May 2011, Barry McDonnell, Fowler tried to find his own way with moderate success. He had a great 2014 season, however something was still missing. In January of this year, he found it in Butch Harmon. Harmon has worked with many of the great players over the years, and Fowler’s choice to work with Harmon immediately paid dividends.

Harmon is best known for having been Tiger Woods’ golf coach from 1993 to 2004, though they have since gone their separate ways. In April 2007, it was announced that Harmon would start working with Phil Mickelson. He has also worked with other major champions such as Ernie Els, Stewart Cink, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Fred Couples and Justin Leonard, and with younger stars such as Nick Watney, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson,Natalie Gulbis, and most recently Jimmy Walker and Brandt Snedeker. (Wikipedia)

Fowler is a unique player. He is traditionally a slow starter. He reminds me of a snowball being rolled down a hill. At first it is small and unimpressive; but, as it is helped down the hill it starts to grow bigger and bigger. Eventually, it has enough momentum that it rolls by itself and enough mass that everyone starts to take notice. Well, that is Rickie Fowler to a tee! Each year, Fowler starts off slow, but by the end of the season he is a force that is noticed and sometimes feared!

Rickie Fowler had a breakout year in 2015. He exceed all expectations and although overshadowed by Spieth and Day, he is now considered a rising superstar in golf. Rickie Fowler is already a fan favorite and if he continues to improve his game, he will be a multiple Major winner very soon! Congratulations Rickie on a great 2015 professional golf season!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!