Greetings Golfers,

While we were in college, one of my friends stated that good conversation is the best thing in life. I’d never thought about it – I was young and more into being active.

But now, I think he may have been correct. We host a lot of golf events, and what people seem to enjoy the most is the conversation after the golf. People want to talk. Alcohol helps loosen the tongue, but also makes people more tolerant listeners. That combination can really get the conversations going.

Another guy I went to college with was known as “Long Story”. Not only was he long, but he was unbelievably boring. His stories went on for ever – they were just random uninteresting information about his day. For example, he’d start to tell you the facts about his morning – such as his breakfast, which would remind him of a breakfast he had years before with someone named Sue, then that would remind him of someone else named Sue … then … you were running for the door. His stories never had a point – they were just uninteresting information.

One weekend back then, I was sick in the bed with the flu. Long Story lived for opportunities like this – I was trapped. The flu wasn’t fatal – but the stories almost were – I’m lucky to be here today.

Goethe said that the test of civilization is conversation. A really good conversationalist is like Ricky Rubio with the basketball. Rubio controls the ball, but doesn’t dominate. He keeps the ball moving and passes it to the open player – he keeps everyone in the game. He might try a tricky behind-the-back pass… not to show off, but to get somebody the ball. Witty people can be good for a conversation – but not if they’re just showing off – if they’re keeping the conversation lively and interesting, that’s great – but not if it’s just a trick shot.

I’d rather play golf with good conversationalists than with good golfers.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

One of my favorite golf books is “On Learning Golf” by Percy Boomer. Boomer wrote his classic in 1946 and is famous for his concept of “turning your hips in a barrel”.

Boomer’s ideas of the golf swing are pretty sophisticated and I would even go so far as to call him an “intellectual”. I know that sounds ridiculous, but Boomer’s “Interlude” chapters are golf swing discussions with world class mathematicians, dancers, etc that push the boundaries.

Boomer wanted the student to understand the golf swing through mental images and feels. He was not of the learning successive positions during the golf swing, but rather learning proper “controls” that build a reliable swing.

Percy was a very good player, but acknowledged that he wasn’t physically and psychologically strong enough for tournament golf. But his brother Aubrey was, and Aubrey was one of the top players in the world for many years.

Boomer was very open about the difficulties of hitting golf shots under pressure, and he admitted that he rarely hit a solid shot off of the first tee at the club where he was the pro.

Unlike Boomer, I usually hit a pretty solid tee shot off of hole #1 at Deer Run. That’s because I save my choking for the end of the round. For many years now, I can’t finish the last hole with a decent score – gallery or not – it’s almost always ugly.

I think I’d trade with Boomer – I’d rather start bad and finish well. Starting well and finishing bad… not so fun.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Today I have the opposite of writer’s block – I want to write about two things… maybe it’ll work.

First is the British Open – pretty obvious subject. The other is the show “Bar Rescue”… not so obvious.

The Tour Players are talking about how much they love British Open golf – even Phil. Tiger said that normal PGA Tour golf is all about hitting the ball straight up in the air, and that he loves the ground game and shot-making that are necessary to win the Open. Mickelson said the same thing… that he used to hate links golf, but now he appreciates it, and loves hitting low, running shots.

Golf was originally a ground game… but mild weather, and manicured courses turned golf into an air game. The emphasis became about hitting it high, landing it soft, and putting like a freak. Shotmaking became mostly a waste of time – it wasn’t necessary.

But on rock hard fairways with seriously windy conditions – shot-making and strategy become essential. The pot bunkers and rough can be extreme penalties – and not always fair… the lucky bounce – good or bad – may determine the championship.

The lucky bounce won’t save a Bar/Restaurant (how about that segue?)… but the Show’s host – Jon Taffer can save it.

This is already getting too long. I’ll come back to “Bar Rescue” some other time.

So, the Open is the original Major and the world championship of golf. Look for some great shotmaking to “rescue” the champion.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

One of the joys in life are misunderstandings. Maybe not.

We’re always sending out signals, but they can easily be misconstrued and the fun can then begin. But we can’t be so overly sensitive that we have to resolve every perceived slight, yet we do need to clear the air if it becomes obvious that something is afoot.

This clearing of the air can be a very good thing. Usually it leads to a better understanding and a better relationship. I’ve learned that if it doesn’t lead to a better relationship, it’s because one side doesn’t really want a better relationship. They don’t want mutual resolution, understanding, and compromise – they want total victory and someone’s head on a pole.

Thus, all the more reason to try to clear the air. Too often, we just hope the situation will go away. It won’t – it will only get worse. So it’s worth the effort to try to fix it – either it gets better, or you find out that the other person doesn’t want it resolved.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I don’t want to waste my life on grudges and hard feelings. That’s definitely not one of the joys of life.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

I don’t watch a lot of television. I’m not trying say that I’m too cool or smart to watch a lot of tv, I just basically don’t have the time.

And what’s funny, even with all the channels, there’s not much that really interests me. Remember when there were only 3 major networks? And a local network such as WTCN had shows like “Lunch with Casey”? Back then I watched a ton of tv – it was the window to the world and we all shared it.

The next day at school we talked about who was on the “Ed Sullivan Show” or how cool Robert Conrad was on the “Wild, Wild, West.”

And every morning before school, my family watched the “Today Show.” Now, I watch “Morning Drive” on the Golf Channel. The Golf Channel began almost 20 years ago with the backing of Arnold Palmer. It was one of those goofy cable channels that didn’t make much sense or know what they’re doing. But a couple of years ago, NBC bought the Golf Channel and they’ve really ramped it up.

I especially enjoy the constant coverage during the major championships. Brandel Chamblee is a very insightful analyst of all aspects of golf – course set-up, golf swings, and especially the psychological. Gary Williams is a smooth host of “Morning Drive” and keeps the flow going. Holly Sonders is also an asset – not just because of her looks – she’s funny and brings a needed irreverence to the boys.

My television viewing has pretty much boiled down to “Madmen”, the History Channel, and the Golf Channel … pretty different from my days of “Lunch with Casey”, the “Beverly Hillbillies” and the “Joe Pine Show.”

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Homer Martinson was one of the icons of the Minnesota golf world. He passed away Wednesday at the age of 88.

Homer was the Head Pro at Wayzata CC for 35 years. Though short and stout, Homer had great hands. He was a very good golfer, and a surprisingly good basketball player at Hopkins High School. But his athletic ability isn’t what Homer was known for… he was one of the funniest people on the planet.

Homer was the Columbo of golf – people always underestimated him and he played on it. He always had a half-lit cigar hanging out of the side of his mouth and just mumbled hilarious comments all day long.

The Wayzata Pro Shop offered free tees as a courtesy to members and guests. One day, a golfer took the whole tray and poured it into his golf bag… Homer asked him if he needed the tees to build a home. My writing doesn’t do his comment justice – you probably had to be there.

I took up golf in college, and about 6 months later after beating balls at a driving range, I took my first golf lesson. I went to the legendary Homer Martinson. The lesson took 5 minutes – I couldn’t believe it – I wanted an analytical dissertation on the golf swing. Instead, Homer told me that I was over rotating my hands and that I should start under rotating my hands. And then he explained, that after awhile I would start slicing because of under rotating, so then I should start rotating again. He summed it up by saying that that is the nature of golf – too much rotation, then not enough, then too much again – you’ll play well when it’s in the middle. I was stunned. It took me years to realize that he was right.

Homer was a great teacher – he taught stars such as Tim Herron and Gary Jacobson. He ran a great shop. He ran great tournaments. He was a great golf pro.

But mostly, Homer was a beloved fellow and the Wayzata members loved him. Like Columbo – he wasn’t fooled – he always knew what was going on. He was as good as it gets.

R.I.P

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

Greetings Golfer,

Can’t believe that it’s already the US Open – feels like the golf season just started.

When the US Open was last at Merion, it was in 1981 and the eventual champion – David Graham – played almost perfect golf in the final round and hit all 18 greens in regulation. But the legendary Open at Merion was in 1950, when Hogan hit his famous 1 iron shot on the 72nd hole to make par and be in a playoff the next day.

Yet my favorite, was in 1971 when Lee Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus in a playoff. The day before the playoff, Trevino wore his Sunday power suit – a red shirt and black pants. Tiger did not invent the Sunday red shirt/black pants uniform – that was Trevino’s innovation.

Trevino was innovative in a lot of ways. His golf swing was a thing of genius. He lined-up left of his target, took 3 steps to initiate his swing, then with a big leg drive, he dropped his hands down into the slot and pushed/blocked the ball at the target. His low fade was the most controlled shot on Tour since Hogan’s fade. And he could chip. Pretty good game for US Opens.

In fact, Trevino won 2 US Opens, 2 British Opens, and 2 PGA Championships – one of only 4 players to win 2 of each of those 3 Majors. He never won the Masters.

Augusta National is made for long, high-hitting drawers of the golf ball – the opposite of Trevino’s game. That’s no knock on Trevino nor the Masters. But Trevino has commented that his game would not win on the present day Tour courses that emphasize length over control. I think that’s a shame. The US Open is supposed to be about control. Merion is especially supposed to be that type of a test.

I hope that the rain hasn’t softened up the course so much that a bomber can win instead of a Trevino-like control artist.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfer,

A couple of years ago, a golf magazine asked me to write about what keeps me up at night. Here’s what I wrote:

Anybody who runs a golf course knows what worrying at 3:00 o’clock in the morning feels like.

Years ago, Scott Fitzgerald wrote a short story called the CRACKUP, where he detailed his brutal late night self-destructive examinations of his life.

That’s not what I’m talking about (though I’m not saying that I deserve a pass), but what keeps me up at night are the details of running a golf course operation. I wake up worried about the phone call that I forgot to return; the Ranger who couldn’t find a substitute; that we’re getting too low on scorecards; that Monday’s Event needs a tent; the putter I promised to order for the Ladies’ League President; the financials that the bank requested; my monthly column needs to go in; a typo/wrong price on our website; will we get pythium because of the hot, humid weather?; the driving range picker isn’t working right; the fan in the kitchen is screeching; the scoreboard needs paint; the Club Championship needs to be rescheduled; the handicap roster list needs to be up to date; the Senior League shotgun needs to be changed to tee times; the parking lot needs to re-striped; the flower lady quit; the neighbor on hole #5 is running his sump-pump into our fairway; a new ad needs to go on the GPS;… the details never end and never stop nagging at me.

It’s funny, while the day goes on, I can handle the details pretty easily, but the big stuff really gets to me. I worry about where we’re going to be in five years, what’s the future of golf?, and where is this country headed?

The big issues don’t keep me up at night – it’s the never ending details that keep me from being well rested. But then I tell myself that someday I’ll have it wired… that’s the only way I can get back to sleep.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfer,

Did you ever see the episode of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM when Larry accused the weatherman of manipulating the weather reports so he can have the golf course all to himself?

Did you also know that episode was based on fact and that all weathermen manipulate their weather reports to keep people off the golf courses?

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit… but not much.

Bad weather makes news. Bad weather keeps everyone tuned in. Gee, how did we survive before Doppler Weather reports?

Make your tee times dependent on your schedule – not the dubious reports of the weatherman. And, if it’s too nasty of weather – just cancel. Or, try it out and if it’s not fun, come inside for a raincheck, refund, etc. We’re not trying to take advantage of you trying to play golf in bad weather. I’ve heard of golf courses that won’t give rain checks if you play one hole – that’s real fair. We’re not like that. We’ll do whatever is fair. And, we’ll err on the side of getting you on the golf course. That’s what we do. We want people to play.  We don’t do all of this work just so people can drive by and say “What a beautiful golf course.”

You’re under no risk making a reservation to play golf. And you’re under no risk trying to play if it looks like rain.

Try it – you’ll like it.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfer,

Ken Venturi died a week ago at age 82. Venturi was the voice of CBS Golf for 35 years – he retired 11 years ago.

Venturi was very much an old-school guy. He was good buddies with Frank Sinatra, and he was mentored by Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. Known as a man of his word and a great guy to his family and friends, Venturi had an amazing life.

But his life wasn’t always easy – he was a tough, resilient fellow. He grew up in San Francisco and was an incredible amateur golfer. As an amateur in 1956, he lost the Masters on the last hole. As a professional, he won the US Open in 1964, and almost died of heat stroke during the last round. Because of carpal tunnel syndrome, his hands deteriorated to a point that he couldn’t play competitive golf.

So, Venturi became a golf announcer – not easy for a guy with a speech impediment. But again, Venturi powered through and became one of the best – if not the best – golf announcers/analysts of all time.

Probably his closest rival as a golf announcer/analyst is also a great golfer from the San Francisco area – Johnny Miller. Miller was also a star amateur player and a US Open champion. Miller didn’t have carpal tunnel – but his hands went crazy with the putting yips… so he turned to the announcer’s booth.

I loved listening to Venturi… and love listening to Miller. They are very different cats – but both know the game – and are honest and sincere. Miller is more of an antagonist and not beloved by the players the way that Venturi was. But Miller is a treasure – I hope he has many more miles.

Still … I miss Ken Venturi. RIP.

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