I can just picture “Slaming Sam” delivering the lines with that hillbilly drawl and a glint in his eye!

A number of years after he retired, Sam Snead was playing a round of golf with a young would- be Tour player. As they were waiting at the tee box on the first hole, Sam’s opponent — who was rather large and strong — asked Sam’s advice about the upcoming tee shot. “Mr. Snead, do you think I can clear those tall pine trees over on the right?” Sam thought for a moment and replied, “When I was your age, I could clear those trees with no problem.” The young man, brimming with confidence, teed up his ball, took a few practice swings, and promptly whacked his ball right into the middle of the pine grove. He looked at Sam, quizzically and disgustedly threw his driver back into the bag as Sam coolly remarked, “Of course When I was your age, those trees were only eight feet tall!”

Come out for a few laughs of your own this weekend, looks like the rain might hold off! Next week will bring summer weather finally and greener grass!!

Read the article above before reading this post. A fellow golfing friend sent me this article and it brought numerous thoughts to mind. Since there are so many different levels of ability in the great game of golf, one must assume that there might be a market for a ball that doesn’t slice or hook. A beginner would certainly appreciate it and you would think that a child just learning the game would be happier to see that ball going straight all the time. A man or woman trying to win their club championship for the first time might try to sneak the ball into competition…But where does that end? Once the child or beginning golfer has learned to play with a fake ball, they might as well quit once they try to learn the game all over again with a conforming ball!

The magic of the game of golf is the shear fact that you can never have an absolutely perfect round. Your drive could always be straighter, your chip closer and your par could have been a birdie. We have all had our “best round” of our life but even on those great days you can count back and find a few places where you could have shaved even a couple more strokes off the score. I believe that what keeps most golfers coming back is that urge to try to beat their own best score, each time they tee up on the first hole. Whatever the player’s ability is, most of the motivation to come back over and over again is that they believe that they can play better than they ever have before. Human nature suggests that we are capable of developing and improving ourselves as long as we have a desire to.  

The integrity of the game of golf is being challenged by technology and new inventions for our “need it now” generation of players. People want the quickest fix and they don’t care that it might change the original traditions of the game of golf. The article above explains that this new device might attract new players to the game of golf. Do we want to grow our golfing community by offering an easier alternative? Aren’t there enough people out there that enjoy the true challenge of hitting the ball over the pond on their last shot on 18 to try to make a par and break 80,90 or 100?

I am facsinated by this topic and I can’t help but think what this might breed for players down the road…we’ll certainly have to keep a closer eye on our competitors in the future! Let us know your thoughts.

Until Next Time,

Liz Friel

In 1923…
* Charles Schwab, was president of the world’s largest steel company,

He died a pauper.


* Edward Hopson, was president of the largest gas company

He went insane. 


* Arthur Cooger, was the greatest wheat speculator,

He died abroad, penniless. 


* Cosabee Livermore, was president of one of the largest banks

He shot himself


* Richard Whitney, was president of NYSE

He was released from prison to die at home
In that same year, 1923, Gene Sarazen won most of the important golf championships, including both the US Open and PGA Championship. He played golf until he was 92 and died in 1999 at the age of 95… and was financially solvent at his death.
Conclusion: Stop worrying about business and start playing more golf!