Greetings Golfers,

“As soon as laws are necessary for men, they are no longer fit for freedom.” That was said 2500 years ago by Pythagorus – the Ancient Greek of mathematical fame.

The less of a need for rules and laws, the purer the game or a society. Golf is fundamentally a game of hitting a ball where it lies – from the tee to the cup … that’s about as pure as a game can get. Obviously the ball can’t be moving … the object is to hit it from where it lies.

As you all know, last week at the U.S. Open, Phil Mickleson hit a putt while it was still moving. On Wednesday, Phil apologized via a text to some sports writers. Damage control – or a real apology? After the incident on Saturday, Phil tried to explain that he knew the rule he was violating, and thought it was smart to violate the rule and take the penalty.

There’s the Letter of the Law … and the Spirit of the Law. You can learn a lot about someone by which they prefer. The Spirit of the Law is about doing the right thing for the right reason. The Letter of the Law is about what you can get away with … or use as a weapon.

If Mickleson really was remorseful about what he did, he would have withdrawn after his round. On Sunday, he tried to make it into a joke as played the hole that he disrespected the day before.

Mickleson also tried to spin his way out of it by saying it was an act of rebellion against the USGA for their unfair set-up of the golf course. Did the USGA screw-up with their set-up of Shinnecock? Yes. Was Phil’s antic a valid way to make a point? Of course not. He only proved that he thinks he’s above the rules. Not just the USGA Rules … but the Spirit of the Game.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

This week the U.S. Open is at Shinnecock – the venerable old-school golf club in New York. I’m sure it’s a very cool place and an incredible golf course. I’ve never been there and probably never will. However, I would love to play Shinnecock and a bunch of those other courses on the U.S. Open rotation. Once.

Why only once? Because a steady diet of getting my brains beat in is not how I want to spend the rest of my golfing days. Golf for me is a chance to get outside and play a game I love with friends and family. I want it not too hard and not too easy … like Mama Bear, I want it just right.

What do I mean by too easy? This: no rough, no curvature from the tee to the green, no elevation changes, no hazards, no OB … just basically a flat, boring golf course where every hole looks exactly the same.

What do I mean by too hard? This: high thick rough, super narrow fairways, constant carries over water, bunkers in the landing zones, too many blind shots, narrow elevated greens that slope off the edges, super fast greens with huge humps … basically courses designed by guys who hate golfers and hate life as we know it. Welcome to the U.S. Open!

Do you remember in 2004 during the U.S. Open at Shinnecock when the green on #7 died? It was just a crusty piece of dirt. They tried to water it during the middle of the round (how “fair” was that?). Should the U.S. Open be a great test of the best players in the world? Of course. They shouldn’t be able to scrape it around and score well. Their shotmaking should need to be precise and their putting should need to be excellent.

That should be the goal of the U.S. Open and those type of courses should be part of the rotation.

I’m not a bicyclist, but I’m sure that the Tour de France is a U.S. Open type of test for bicyclists. Is that what your recreational bicyclist wants for their Sunday afternoon bike ride? Probably not. So, why are there so many crazy difficult golf courses out there? Because lots of club members thought it was cool that their course was known as being impossible to play well. How goofy is that? “I don’t want to enjoy playing my course, what I really enjoy is that my course makes people feel frustrated and inadequate”.

I enjoy seeing new places and trying new things … to add spice to my life. But, what I really value is what I’ve learned over time makes me happy … family, friends, home, my community … and a golf course that I want to play over and over again … not just once!

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Last weekend, Bryson DeChambeau won the Memorial Golf Tournament in Ohio. Did you watch it on television? I tried to. Though he was only playing in a 2some, DeChambeau took 5 1/2 hours to play the final round. In between his round of golf: I drove to Deer Run GC, played 18 holes, wrote a golf column, had lunch, went to a graduation party, took a nap, and drove home. Ok … I didn’t really do all of that … but I probably could have.

Golf is not supposed to be a race. It’s a leisurely game … and 4 hours is a leisurely pace. But 5 1/2 hours is a death march.

DeChambeau is the guy with the odd swing that he developed from the book “The Golfing Machine” by Homer Kelley. DeChambeau considers himself a modern day Einstein. I believe he majored in Physics at SMU … and while at SMU he did win the NCAA Championship. The guy is an incredible golfer – no doubt about that.

However, DeChambeau is not a good model for recreational golfers. Obviously, his pace of play is ridiculous. And his golf swing is based on what he believes is science. Ironically, his belief is probably his greatest strength – sort of like those yogis who walk over burning coals. But, I would recommend his swing as much as I would recommend walking over burning coals.

Don’t forget the word “swing”. It’s a golf swing. Body movements can help with consistency and leverage, but they can’t swing the golf club. Sort of like throwing a ball. A pitcher’s windup doesn’t throw the ball – it can help with consistency and leverage – but it doesn’t throw the ball.

Of course DeChambeau hit the ball well last week. But what he did really well was putt. He putted better than anyone else in the tournament. People don’t talk enough about how important putting is. I don’t enjoy watching putting on tv unless the putt matters. But, tv loves to show some player make a long meaningless putt. Though not very fun to watch, putting is vital to a good score – your’s or a Tour player’s.

Is Bryson Chambeau fun to watch? Maybe at first – like a freak show … but it wears off quickly … and his slow play only makes it more annoying. But – he can definitely play and especially putt. I’d recommend to find your own method based more on a “swing” and less on “science” … and to play faster than a funeral procession.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Golf is known as being a game of honor. The concept of honor has moved around from a public to a private virtue. And ways of defending honor have bounced from public (a duel) to private (don’t lose your cool).

Yet, the concept of honor has always been based on being the best you can be – rising above our base instincts.

And I believe that being honorable also means being respectful. That means not being a selfish narcissist. In golf that means not being an annoyance to your playing partners.

Being honorable also involves how to treat other people – not just your playing partners. Last week we had two guys who felt entitled to berate our staff because we were mowing the driving range. They yelled at and insulted everyone from the guys working the range to our maintenance staff to our starters.

After their round, I explained to them that their behavior was unacceptable, refunded their green fees, and told them not to come back. They couldn’t believe it. I guess that they’re normally rewarded for such behavior.

But there is hope – here’s a good story. About a month ago, we were hosting a high school golf tournament. One of the players buried his club into the ground next to 18th green. After he finished his round, I confronted him about his behavior. He was surly and unapologetic. One of the coaches witnessed our exchange, was shocked, and relayed the situation to the player’s coach. The coach asked me what he should do. I told him to have the player send me an email apology that evening. He did … it was lame … but I couldn’t tell if it was his attitude or if he was just a poor writer. I responded that it’s a small world, and that his reputation would precede him the rest of his life. And, that he needed to become these 3 things: Strong – Kind – Respectful.

The next night, his coach sent me an email that the player that afternoon had been the most positive and respectful that he’d been in his three years on the team … and that he’d had his best score ever in a high school tournament.

Was this a life-changer for this kid? Maybe. I hope so. But at least it was a wake-up call. And, I’m glad he was rewarded with a good round of golf.

Honor has its own rewards. Golf is a good test of honor. I wish everyone played golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Recently, two American cultural icons passed away. Both had ambitions of playing professional baseball – one became a writer and the other became a golfer.

Tom Wolfe died last week at 88 years old. He was known for his New Journalism that allowed the author to be part of the story. Wolfe loved to attack pretentiousness in both status seekers and intellectuals. His early books: “The Electric Kool-Aid Test” and “Radical Chic”  were great exposes of the 60s counter-culture. Wolfe’s later book “Bonfire of the Vanities” really nailed the 80s Wall Street scene. He wore white suits like Mark Twain and had an attitude like H.L. Mencken. Wolfe knew what it was to be American … a common-sense that much of the world and even much of America doesn’t seem to understand or appreciate. R.I.P.

Doug Ford died about 10 days ago at 95 years old. Ford grew up in a tough neighborhood in New York. Of the 10 guys he hung around with “Six went into the FBI, the other four went with the mob. I’m the only one who didn’t end up carrying a gun.” Ford was a great pool player and believed his pool skills translated to his legendary short game. He was slow to go on Tour because he made so much money playing rich guys for high stakes. This quote is classic Ford “If you want to be a Tournament player, you have to handle the heat. The way to learn is play for your own dough.” Ford learned well. He won two majors – the PGA Championship and the Masters and is in the Golf Hall of Fame. R.I.P.

I’m not surprised that both guys were baseball players – the most American of games. Their Americanism was good for writing and good for golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Yesterday was like a beautiful mid-summer day. It was in the 80s, sunny, with a light breeze. And today is supposed to be more of the same.

However, the forecast for the weekend is a little cooler with a chance of rain. So, maybe it won’t be as amazing weather-wise as today … but it should still be a great weekend. Remember, we only have about 20 of these warm weather weekends a year in Minnesota … don’t get too fussy … you’ll be mad at yourself in February for wasting beautiful golf weather.

Yeah, I snuck “golf weather” in there. I have my priorities in order. Normally around now, I send out my annual blog about not letting weather forecasts deprive you of good golfing weather. Make a reservation … come out to play … we want you on the golf course. We’ll give you a raincheck or a pass or refund your money if the weather turns crazy.

We want you to play golf … not try to take advantage of you.

Speaking of crazy … next Friday is our first FunPlayFriday of 2018. Could be our last … Animal House is the theme. Don’t blame me … our staff has wanted to do this for a LONG time.

You might want to fire-up your VCR and re-watch the antics of the members of Delta House … goof balls such as Otter, Hoover, Bluto, Pinto, and Flounder.

For a mere $75, you’ll get golf, cart, range, lunch … and alcoholic beverages served on assorted tee boxes throughout the golf course.

It’ll be fun … but don’t expect a toga party.

Cheers

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

This blog goes out every Friday morning at 9:00. Last Friday morning at 9:00, I was at a Veterinary Clinic with our dog Harvey. Many of you knew Harvey. I wouldn’t say he was the DRGC mascot – he was much more than a mascot – he was a real presence.

Harvey had more personality than any dog I’ve ever known. The first year that we had him (we got him as a puppy) he was a full-blown menace. Three different trainers tried and quit – he was untrainable. Harvey wasn’t a jerk … he was just unbelievably independent. And hilarious. He was a trickster. Like most families – we spent most of our time together in the den/tv room. Harvey was always there with us, and would go to the patio door and hit it with his paw to let us know that he had to go outside. So, when I’d get up from my chair to open the door … he’d hop up and steal my chair. This happened constantly. He knew I couldn’t take the risk that he didn’t really have to go outside.

Harvey loved Deer Run. When a friend sent me condolences the other day, he said “How many dogs get to run a golf course?” Yeah – he had a great life. But just like Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” … he did it HIS way! And like a lot of bright people, he had his neurotic “stuff”. He wouldn’t walk over certain lines in floors. He’d go crazy if I looked out the window in my office. Yet, he was confident. Neurotic and confident – what a combination. And a trickster. And loyal. Very loyal.

That loyal thing dogs are famous for – how good is that? It’s probably the main reason that we become so attached to dogs. We trust them. We don’t have to prove our worth. They love us unconditionally. And hopefully we love them unconditionally. That’s harder for us humans. We get angry when people don’t live up to our expectations. Those expectations get in the way of love. I don’t mean acts of betrayal … I mean not being perfect. Too often we think we’re not deserving of love if we’re not perfect. My lack of perfection was not an issue for Harvey. I knew he loved me.

His final act was classic Harvey. The vet warned me that the shot to sedate him would “sting”. It must have stung … because Harvey bit him. The vet was shocked … he hadn’t seen Harvey move since I brought him in. But that was classic Harvey … he was going to get in the final word or bite.

I can’t believe how much I miss him.

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Greetings Golfers,

Happy Friday the 13th.

Yes, it’s April 13 and we still have snow on the ground. And, we’ll probably get more cold and snow this weekend.

Don’t worry, we will open on April 25. I can feel it.

Life is seldom smooth and easy. We often need inspiration to keep motivated. I’m one of those cornballs who loves good quotes. And most of the quotes I like are inspirational.

Probably my favorite quote master is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – the writer of “Faust”. Here are some of his best:

“Whatever you can do, or believe you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

“Things that matter most, must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.”

“We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.”

Spring is a time to rejuvenate. The weather will become Springlike soon … but you don’t have to wait for nice weather to rejuvenate yourself. Change your attitude – get inspired – Friday the 13th can be a lucky day. Read some more Goethe quotes!

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com