Greetings Golfers,

Do you let a bad shot bother you? Be honest. How about a REALLY bad shot? I mean a shot that you can’t even imagine?

Though I’ve really mellowed a lot over the years, bad shots still bug me. I’m not very good at letting it go and moving on … but I usually do, and am ok after the next hole. Not the same hole … after the next hole.

But, a few weeks ago, I hit a shot that bothered me for weeks. I know that’s ridiculous – but true.

Don’t get me wrong … I hit a lot of bad shots. In fact now- a-days I hit very few good shots. But, my bad shots usually aren’t wild. They aren’t solid, but they go fairly straight. They don’t look good or sound good, but they’re usually fairly serviceable.

But this shot was incredibly wild. And it wasn’t with a long club like a driver – I was using an 8 iron. I was playing a match. My opponent was very kind and said that it bounced back into the fairway – I didn’t even know where it went. I vaguely remember the holes we played after that shot.

Why am I boring you with this confession? Because I learned something – I didn’t process the shot. I was trying so hard to be a good sport, that I didn’t deal with it. I tried to ignore it instead of deal with it. But my subconscious wouldn’t let me move on. I became a zombie – for two days. Seriously.

How should you handle a bad shot? I’m not sure – it depends on your personality. But you do have to deal with it. I am not someone who is good at stuffing things – I have to clear the air, deal with the problem, learn something and then move onto the next hole.

Golf/life … I’m still learning how to deal with it.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Lots of talk this week about about the National Budget and Gophers Football coach Jerry Kill – both are not very healthy.

I’m sure not an expert on either situation, but I do have thoughts on how we get in these situations. I don’t mean Coach Kill’s health issues – but rather the continued troubles of the Minnesota football program.

Human nature always wants the best deal – makes sense – who would want a bad deal? But, that can lead to unfair deals. And… unfair deals usually lead to problems.

For example: College football fans, alumni, regents and presidents, want winning football programs. And they want it now. And they don’t want violations and an unclean program. OK… how can the new coach perform this magic? Especially at a cold weather university… and a state not overloaded with high school football stars.

People want a 5 star hotel for 3 star prices. People want a consistent high return on their investments. Of course. I get it. That’s what we all want… but how does that work? Isn’t that how we get con men like Bernie Maddoff promising 12% returns? Or football coaches who pull every recruiting stunt imaginable? Or politicians who promise the moon? Or businesses who take advantage of employees to make their numbers?

I’m just trying to say that too good to be true comes with a price.

The reality is that the U of M needs a coach who will commit to twenty years of building a strong program. And during those years, if things fall right, they might once or twice have a championship team.

I know I sound like an old fogy… but cutting corners and taking advantage of people doesn’t work in the long run… no matter how it’s spun.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Every week I try to write something that you would want to read. If it’s just “same-old, same-old”… what’s the point? My favorites are when I write something that you know – but no one says it… and needs to be said.

I try not be be self-serving. That’s not always easy – I can be shamelessly self-serving and self-promoting. So I try to keep these weekly emails free and pure (try).

But, this time I need to “jump the shark”.  Let’s call it “informational” instead of “promotional”.

First off… Senior Rates for everyone during the month of October. Everyday. All day. Everyone.

Secondly… For the second year in a row… the readers of Tee Times Magazine voted Deer Run Golf Club the “Best Hospitality Award”. Obviously we would like to win every award. But some awards are really more about how much money you spend on the golf course, clubhouse, etc … sort of like the Yankees. But, the Hospitality award is not about who has the deepest pockets… it’s about attitude… the friendly and helpful attitude of our staff.

That’s it. Hope it wasn’t too obnoxious. Hope to see you a lot in October.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Last Sunday while walking my dog, a neighbor asked me why I wasn’t watching the Viking’s game: “Don’t you like football?” … I answered with: “ Yeah, I love football – that’s why I’m not watching.”

I know, I know … it was too easy … but I had to do it.

But, I did watch some of the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. How good is Henrik Stenson? He’s pretty scary. And how about Jordan Spieth? He just turned 20 years old. Are you kidding me?

There are so many really good Tour Players that it’s ridiculous.

Back to Minnesota sports. The Twins … wow … I’m a pretty hardcore baseball fan … but that’s tough to watch. I’m not a fair-weather fan – but I do have to like their style of baseball. I never liked the Tom Kelly style of ball … yeah, I know they won two World Series under TK, but that’s because they had teams that were perfect for end-of-the-year short series. Their regular season day-in-day-out performances were life-less and lacking. He managed by the numbers and computer models … this was “scientific” baseball. Ugh. Do you remember Brad Childress coaching the Vikings? The same robotic, unimaginative philosophy.
Golf went through a pretty robotic phase – looks like that’s going into the trash can. Other sports are valuing innovation and creativity – like the Tampa Bay Rays in baseball. And look at Payton Manning and the emphasis on intelligent quarterbacks in the NFL. I love the no huddle offenses.

Let’s hope these Minnesota teams can break out of conventional style of play. It wasn’t always like this. I loved Bud Grant football and Billy Martin baseball. Guts and moxie are what make sports fun to watch – win or lose.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

While watching the NFL Pregame on Fox last Sunday, I noticed that the guys were all wearing Stomp Out Bullying pins. Because I’m not up on the latest happenings, I looked it up on the internet. It seems that Fox Sports has teamed up with the Stomp Out Bullying organization.

Good for Fox Sports. Bullying is probably one of the ugliest of behaviors. Think about it – the strong picking on the weak – can it get much worse than that?

I’ve heard people try to dismiss bullying – they say that people are too sensitive. Wow. Maybe people are too sensitive – but that shouldn’t give anyone a license to be a bully. I think that bullies have to be stood up to. And if the people who are bullied aren’t up to the task, then someone should step up who can.

Operating on a pure power level is not civilized – I wouldn’t even call it human. Most people don’t like their jobs – not the work itself, but the workplace. Bosses who are tyrants, other people who are jerks… that’s why most people look for new jobs.

The best compliment I ever received was in 9th grade – a kid said that I was “the only cool guy who wasn’t mean”. Think about how messed up that is. Though I’m not a cool guy now (I’m just an old guy), I’m still really intent on not allowing a bullying atmosphere at DRGC.

If bullying was not socially acceptable, it would solve way more problems than anyone imagines. Of course I believe that people need to be strong and independent. But that’s not enough – people have to stand up to bullies.

It should be cool to stand up to bullies – not to be a bully – good for Fox Sports.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Have you seen the Bridgestone ad where the Pro Shop staff makes fun of the guy buying golf balls?

A “regular guy” comes in the shop and asks David Feherty for a sleeve of “those Pro balls”. Feherty then asks him if he has 118 mph swing speed like Fred Couples, or is a top Tour player like Matt Kuchar … while all of these guys look at him with disdain and smug smiles.

I get it. The guy should probably be playing a ball more suited to his game. Probably. Maybe. But, the “Pro” ball won’t really hurt his game, and he’s not playing for his living. Letting him have some fun by playing a Tour ball warrants making him feel foolish? Really?

I like Bridgestone. I like their balls, the company, and I really like their local sales rep. But, too often, golf projects this smug attitude that drives me crazy. There are other ways of making the point of choosing a golf ball that fits your game – mostly through educating.

But, using mockery to make your point? Promoting the smug attitudes of an arrogant Pro Shop staff to sell your product? That’s about as smart as the course in Wisconsin that decided to use the tragedy of 9/11 to promote their golf course by selling 9 hole rounds for $9.11. You didn’t hear about that? Look it up – just happened a few days ago. People threatened to burn the course down.

Back to the Bridgestone ad. The last scene is Lee Trevino knocking the guy out of the way while Trevino is vacuuming the Pro Shop. Charming.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Greetings Golfers,

I haven’t seen any of the US Open – have you? I don’t mean golf – I mean tennis.

Slow down … I’m not knocking tennis – I love tennis … I just don’t play or watch it anymore. What happened? I’m not really sure, but I’m not the only one. Do you remember when tennis was really big in the 70’s and 80’s?

In fact, in the early 80’s my wife and I lived in a townhome development which featured outdoor tennis courts as the cool amenity. About 10 years ago I drove by and noticed that the tennis courts had been ripped out.

Why did I stop playing? Probably laziness. My doubles partners wouldn’t let me use a cart.

Why do I still play golf? Yeah – the cart is a major reason. I mostly play for social reasons, and riding in a cart with someone is fun and great for conversation. The cart is also helpful – it carries my bag, and is designed to carefully look after my food and drink.

Don’t laugh – I need that help. I still get tired playing golf – even riding a cart – and struggle to finish the last few holes.

Hey, my brother Dan used to be a tennis pro – he quit and just plays golf. And he usually takes a cart.

Really looking forward to playing golf this weekend. And really glad that we have cool, new carts.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Hope you’ll stop by our booth at the State Fair.

I’m kidding … Thank God! How’d you like to be working the cheese curds booth this week? I figure with the ovens and  the crowds, some of those food booths have to be over 1,000 degrees.

I remember warm days during Fair Week, but nothing like this. Minnesota is famous for unpredictable weather … but this is ridiculous. I’ll admit that we did have a run of beautiful weather from the middle of July to the middle of August – probably the best weather I ever remember. But, most of the year has been … not good/nasty/brutal … you choose the description.

So, that means we will have a spectacular fall. Fall golf can be the best of the year – great temps and no bugs. But … sometimes viewing football gets in the way. Hey, I love football – college and the NFL – probably more than is healthy/sane. (South Carolina, will win the National Championship – you heard it here first – place your bets).

But the first 6 weeks is sort of a joke. The Gophers schedule the weakest pre-Big Ten season teams they can get away with … and the NFL season really is only about the playoffs. Why Minnesotans will stay home on weekends to watch football is mind boggling. November, December, and January are great months to watch football. February and March are good for hockey, basketball, golf trips, etc.

What I’m saying is that it’s 5 months from Nov. 1 – April 1. This is Minnesota – don’t waste September and October. Is  this self-serving? Not really – this is wise advice from an old man. Please heed my words.

Happy Labor Day – see you until Halloween.

Cheers,

Tom Abts, PGA

Greetings Golfers,

About a month ago I referred to the show “Bar Rescue”. It’s usually pretty funny and always interesting. The host of the show – Jon Taffer – is supposedly a turn-around expert, and he does a good job of identifying the weaknesses and the solutions to troubled bars across the country.

Some of my family members have told me that I should do a golf-rescue show … their support is appreciated, but that’s not happening. First off, I’m not a tough guy like Jon Taffer. He rolls into these places and goes crazy on the staff and especially the owners. It’s good drama and lively tv, but not my style and probably not successful in the long run.

What’s really needed in these bars is a change of culture. Taffer does a great job of cleaning things up, training the staffs, and identifying their target markets … but it all can’t happen in a 1/2 hour television show. A culture takes time to develop – even a bad culture. But a good culture takes a lot of time and perseverance.

A good culture is based on respect. And a culture of respect has to be fought for, and those battles have to be won. If the leaders allow the customers to disrespect the staff, and if the staff is allowed to disrespect each other … a culture based on respect cannot thrive.

Usually the bar is rescued, but it later on goes back to its old ways and ends up drowning. Taffer is a talented fellow, and definitely entertaining … but these places need more than a quick fix – they need a new culture.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

I always thought that Walter Hagen said “ Stop and smell the roses.” Actually, he said “ You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”

What a great philosophy – I wish I lived it. Too often I’m just running around like a crazy person and worried about everything. It’s good to be productive and responsible – but worried and hurried isn’t a good way to live.

The other morning I was setting up the tees for Senior League, and the sun was rising while I was on the 15th tee-box. The view stopped me in my tracks. It was an unbelievably beautiful morning and the mist was coming up off the ponds – I didn’t smell any flowers, but I stopped and took in the scene. Sunrise is magical, but on that morning and from that tee-box it was a profound experience – I had to stop running around.

Hagen was quite a guy. One of golf’s all-time greatest players and probably the best match-play golfer ever. He also opened the doors for golf professionals. Before Hagen, most golf clubs wouldn’t let the pros into the clubhouse. Seriously. That’s why old golf clubs have a separate building for the golf shop. But Hagen wasn’t intimidated. He wore beautiful, expensive clothes and drove outrageous cars. He wasn’t a snob – he was just having fun.

Hagen had an athletic, unorthodox golf swing. He was also a baseball player, but won the US Open the week he was going to try out for the Philadelphia Phillies. What a break for golf. Modern instruction has criticized Hagen’s loose, big waggle golf swing. But the other day, television golf instructors were praising Jason Dufner’s old school golf swing, and especially “how he keeps in constant motion like all of the best ball strikers of the past.”

Maybe Hagen’s golf swing is coming back in style. I sure hope his attitude does.

Cheers,

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