Greetings Golfers,

Today is the last day of the 2020 PGA Golf Show in Orlando. Because we send out this blog every Friday at 9:00am CST … this one is usually my toughest one of the year. I’m actually writing this at 5am … and I blame any poor writing on the PGA Pros who I went to dinner with last night. (Is it “who” or “whom” … see, I’m already struggling).

The PGA Show has really changed over the years … but, what hasn’t? What is most obvious is how casual the attire has become. People used to really dress-up for the Show. Yesterday, most of the guys were wearing zip-up golf jackets and casual shoes. There used to be shoe-shine stands everywhere … the only one I saw yesterday was deserted … I hope the owner has other options.

Remember in the tv show “Madmen” when society was transforming from the Ratpack to the Hippies? Well, that’s sort of what’s happening in golf.

Golf has always been a traditional game. For some of us, there is a timelessness about golf that is linked to tradition. The question is “Can golf change with the times and still keep its core values?”

The “look” in the showrooms was what everyone is calling “lifestyle” … meaning that golfers want to wear clothing that goes from the golf course to the work place or to a restaurant. A casual look that goes anywhere. And that doesn’t mean cheap … one showroom was selling cashmere hoodies … seriously.

Does casual clothing mean a lack of standards? It can, but it doesn’t have to. The young people that I dealt with all week were very respectful. That’s what matters to me. Just because someone is well-dressed doesn’t mean they have high standards – especially in terms of being respectful.

Golf only works if the players have respect for the game, the course, and the other players. Golf doesn’t have referees … it relies on personal integrity. That’s what really matters. It’s all about how people conduct themselves on the golf course (and in the clubhouse).

Last night’s dinner was much like a round of golf. Sure, I liked the restaurant … but I especially liked the people who (?) I was with .. and the ridiculous and hilarious conversations throughout dinner. Some of us were dressed “old school” and some were dressed “lifestyle”…but what mattered was how we got along – not what we wore.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

I spend most of my days trying to figure how to make Deer Run GC work. Not just make it work … but make it good. But, I’m seeing it from the operational side.

When I’m down here in South Carolina, I see golf operations from the customer side. And that’s a good thing … for me and DRGC.

The other day I played and it was cart path only. On one hole when my drive was on the other side of the fairway from the cart path … my first reaction was annoyance – which then made me laugh … I was seeing things as a customer – not as an operator.

It needs to be a two-way street. That’s the only way relationships work … and the customer-business is a relationship. That sometimes gets lost … and everybody loses. I think one side loses trust … that’s never a good thing.

That’s why communication is so important … if people understand the reasons – if it makes sense – people will trust.

For example, a funny guy – Mitch Hedberg (R.I.P.) – known for his clever take on things, once said “ I bought a doughnut and they gave a receipt for the doughnut. I don’t need a receipt for the doughnut. I’ll just give you the money, and you give me the doughnut – end of the transaction. I can’t imagine a scenario where I need a receipt for a doughnut.” Yeah … I get it. But, the receipt isn’t for him … the receipt is needed for the store to keep track of what they sell.

Same thing with staying on the cart path. It was annoying, but it was necessary for the golf course to stay in good shape.

We have days reserved for our leagues. Tuesday is Ladies Day. You have to be in the league to play on Tuesday. Thursday is Mens Day. You have to be in the league to play on Thursday. This gives league members the opportunity to play every week at their own tee time … a pretty cool thing. We don’t open up any of those times – we’re committed to the league members. So, we ask them to commit to playing on league day. How else can we make this work? It has to be a two-way street.

But it also has to be communicated. We need to make the situation clear to league members. Most people would agree once they understand why it has to be that way.

Communication. You always hear so much about it that it seems cliche … but it’s not. Down here I play a variety of courses from dog-tracks to elite … and everything in between. My favorite place is elite … but that’s not the main reason I like it. The staff is great. They’re friendly – yet genuine. They’re good people – who actually like people … they don’t have to fake it. Nearby is another elite club (not as elite) but has a pretentious staff and atmosphere that makes my skin crawl. The place that I play the most is a dog-track. However, I play with a great group of guys and that makes-up for the conditions (sort-of).

I think what most of us want is quality and genuine hospitality – not fake. We don’t need fancy – we want quality. And we sure don’t want pretentious or just rude.

Thats what I want as a customer … and I hope we do that at DRGC.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Yesterday, Sergio Garcia turned 40. That doesn’t seem possible … for a couple of reasons: First, it doesn’t seem that long ago he was a teen-ager battling Tiger for the 1999 PGA Championship. Second, he still seems like a kid – not a 40 year old man. About a year ago … he went crazy in a tournament and damaged 5 greens … AND destroyed a bunker during a temper tantrum.

Yet, he can be really charming and likable. His lack of phoniness is what saves him. You want to forgive his childish antics because he’s still a child. Wait … he’s not a child! He doesn’t seem to have any self-control. That can make for really interesting interviews and observations … but his pouting and tantrums are tiresome.

Sergio seems to grow-up when he’s representing more than himself. He’s the all-time point leader in the Ryder Cup and really thrives in the matches – especially when he has a partner. His record as an individual is not as good … he needs the team concept to be his best as a player and a person.

Maybe too much success happened too young. He’s the son of a Golf Pro and won everything as a junior – even won a European Tour event as an amateur. When he battled with Tiger in 1999 … it looked like he’d be the European version of Tiger.

However, he turned into the classic victim of the golf gods. He really believed that fate was out to get him. His playoff loss in the 2007 British Open did have some bad breaks … but he should have already won a couple of British Opens by then anyway … good luck or bad.

His golf swing is ridiculously good. Very Hoganesque with that flat swing and extra-long lag. A fantastic iron player and hits it far … a really talented player. However, we all know that being a golf champion is more than just being talented.

Hopefully, his 40s are when he reaches his potential. He’s not too old physically … and maybe marriage and fatherhood are what he’s needed to calm-down and grow-up.

Maybe 40 is the new 30 … especially for someone as youngish as Sergio. But hopefully, he now has the maturity of a 40 year old. Happy Birthday.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Can’t believe that it’s almost Christmas. They say that time goes faster as you get older – but this is ridiculous.

So, let’s slow down and enjoy the Holiday Season. Now is the time to be thankful, thoughtful, warm, and generous.

2019 was a wonderful year. Thank you for your love and support.

Merry Christmas,

Tom

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Before the 2016 Ryder Cup … PGA Professional Extraordinaire Marty Lass of Edina CC and I had our own battle – but we used words instead of golf clubs.

Due to popular demand … we did it again in 2018 … and are teeing-it-up for this week’s President’s Cup.

Marty has the International Team … and here’s his argument for their victory in Australia:

WHY THE INTERNATIONAL TEAM WILL WIN

I think the International team might surprise a lot of people this year. Although the United States has a gaudy, lopsided-winning record in this event and more players toward the top of the World rankings, here’s a few things that I think will bring the underdog ‘home team’ a victory at Royal Melbourne.

Experience in the President’s Cup. The I-team features 5 players (Oosthuizen, Leishman, Matsuyama, Scott & Day) who have been on each team since 2013, and for the most part, they all have losing records which they want to rectify. The U.S. team has only 2 players (Kuchar & Fowler) who have been on all of the teams since 2013. Even though the U.S. team on opposite years has the Ryder Cup, the President’s Cup ‘experience factor’ favors the Internationals.

The Rookies. The I-team has 6 rookies, compared to 5 for the U.S. The I-team rookies have won 3 times on the PGA Tour, compared to 16 by the U.S. team. I think those rookies feel like they have to prove a point to the golfing world, and this is a rare opportunity for them to prove it on the world stage.

The Darkhorse player. Australian Cameron Smith is the player to watch. He is under the radar compared to many players, goes about his business playing solid golf, and being in his home country will quietly be the player with the most winning points when the matches are concluded!

Bravo Marty! Well said … here’s my rebuttal:

WHY THE U.S.A. WILL WIN

This match reminds me of the 2016 Ryder Cup. Europe was the underdog to volatile American team. This American team is so loaded with talent that they can lose the #1 player in the world and not really feel it with Ricky Fowler replacing Brooks Kopeka.

The course is going to play hard and fast like true links style golf … which is probably better for Ricky than for Brooks. See what I mean? This USA team would win anywhere and on any type of course. They’re just too good.

Who will be the American star? Justin Thomas. This guy is so good it’s ridiculous.

Does Team USA have some goofballs and chemistry issues? Yeah. But just like 1977 NY Yankees … this team is too good to fail.

Sorry Marty … you’re a great wordsmith … but, Team USA will win the President’s Cup.

Cheers,

The Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

So Phil Mickelson has decided to skip the Phoenix Open and play in Saudi Arabia for a big appearance fee.

Back when Phil was in college playing for ASU, the Phoenix Open gave him an exemption to play a PGA Tour event. Phil is a 3 time winner of the tournament and one of its biggest draws.

I read about this the other morning in an online golf magazine. In the comment section, a guy responded that Phil had every right to make as much money as he could. I replied that “Having the right to do something … isn’t the same as doing the right thing”. Silence. So, I repeated the scenario on Old School Golf … expecting to get an avalanche of people as disgusted as I am by Phil’s lack of loyalty.

Wrong. The majority of respondents sided with Phil.

Well … I’m a cornball and still believe in things such as loyalty and integrity.

Fortunately, those values will be rewarded tonight at the MN PGA banquet at Target Field.

Deer Run’s Lori Money will be honored as the Women’s Player of the Year. Obviously, Lori is an excellent player. Yet, she is more than that. Lori is a marvelous golf professional. Golf pros wear many hats … and Lori wears them all very well.

We at DRGC are very proud of her and very glad that she’s part of our team.

And I know that the MN PGA is also very proud of her and glad that she is a member.

I wish that Phil could take a lesson from Lori about loyalty and integrity.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably survived Black Friday. I just read an article saying that since 2006, 11 people have died and more than 100 have been injured while shopping on Black Friday. The biggest cause of injury has been a Stampede … closely followed by Pepper Spray … Shooting comes in 3rd but leads in cause of death. Brawl and Stabbing are also big categories. The video shown as part of the article is pretty horrific (and “humorous” in a sick way) … it looks like those statistics were from that video alone.

From what I read, it doesn’t appear that shopping at golf stores is very dangerous … the culprits seem to be big box stores … and just after the doors open.

I like Thanksgiving – hopefully you enjoyed it yesterday. Maybe the craziness of Black Friday is a result of people not having a good Thanksgiving, so they take out their frustration the next day while shopping. Maybe a family member hogged all of the dressing … or mixed something gross into the cranberries. Who knows? Maybe somebody brought up politics at the table!

Well, hopefully you’re just relaxing. Whether that means savoring an enjoyable Thanksgiving … or relieved that you survived a sometimes stressful event.

I’m definitely relaxing and resting. In fact, I’m taking it easy to get ready for the big game tomorrow between the Gophers and the Badgers. Our home will be anxiously watching the game with rabid supporters of both the Maroon & Gold and the Red & White.

Hopefully, it won’t turn into the violence that I read about Black Friday!

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

As Bob Dylan said so many years ago: “The times they are a’changing”. I hope so. Went to the MWGCOA Conference a few days ago … a golf course owners conference with speakers, and vendors set-up in another room. It was actually really good. Seriously.

Normally I don’t like stuff like that. It’s usually boring and cliche and pseudo-intellectual.

Then yesterday, I was on an email chain about Golf Now buying EZ-Links. One of the emails was about how golf courses (and all businesses) needed to use data not for the quick sale and the constant sales pitch … but rather to actually understand people and build community through the long term. Yes! He talked about Delivering Value instead of Extracting Value. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. He also talked about building a community that people WANT to be a part of. Yes! Business is not about the best deal or best price … and not just being a non-stop annoying ad. (I used a local company at first … but changed it to “annoying”).

Of course there is always a market for price. But there is also always a market for quality. And for a likable culture. The business world doesn’t and shouldn’t always be about the quick buck. That’s a turn-off.

None of us like feeling used. Too much of business feels like a one-way street. Respect is always the key to healthy relationships.

 I get it. When business gets hard … panic can set in … and thinking becomes short-sighted. And maybe in a crisis situation that’s what has to be done. But it’s no way to run a business for the long term.

When Dylan wrote that song over 50 years ago … things were changing then … I lived through the 60s. But the mantras of the 60s never really took hold … they weren’t really well thought out. It was just basically a bunch of kids – Baby Boomers – who because of their enormous size and percentage of the population – had too much power and influence … and little wisdom. They didn’t really value respect and responsibility … they wanted to change the world NOW!

Well, real change – healthy change – is earned and comes over time by doing the right things. If that MWGCOA Conference and that email chain are what I think they represent … then the Baby Boomers may finally be growing-up.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Maybe it’s the format of the emails….but, whatever the reason may be, I’m getting a lot of questions about the Holiday Passes and our Annual Christmas Sale.

So, this should clear-up things:  The Sale is Saturday, December 7th at the Clubhouse.  The hours are 9am – 2pm.  Everything is 50% off.  Everything.  Even balls, clubs, and shoes which have very little mark-up in the first place.

Of course we want some winter revenue.  But we also want to sell everything and start totally fresh next year.  And, believe it or not, we enjoy giving you a great deal.  What makes the Sale fun is that we have really good stuff left over.  Cool clothes, hats, gloves, bags, etc.  A smart way to Christmas shop…and a reason to buy stuff for yourself.

We also will be selling the Holiday Passes at the Christmas Sale.  We originally intended the passes to be purchased as Christmas presents.  But people got wise and figured out it’s a great opportunity to set themselves up golf-wise for next year.  The passes can be shared and used at anytime.  They also have no expiration date.

As always, we will be serving Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, Baileys, Kaluha, Irish whiskey.  It’s more than a Sale…it’s a Christmas party.

See you then, 
 
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub

Greetings Golfers,

Last weekend was fun to be a Minnesota sports fan. Of course, Saturday’s Gopher game was the biggie. But, the Viking’s win on Sunday night was also a big deal.

As usual, I was expecting the worse on the final drives of both games. That both opposing drives failed right in front of our respective end-zone was a miracle. One game? … maybe…both games?…impossible!

All sporting events have a period where a team or players is not sharp. I think the secret to success is to survive that period. Obviously the start is critical. You basically want to find some rhythm and not screw-up.

I always tell my playing partners that the first 3 holes at DRGC are the warm-up holes…that the round really starts on #4. All you need to do is survive and hopefully find some feel and tempo by the 4th hole.

Too often I see someone top their tee-shot on #1, and then try to make up for it with a perfect 3 wood for their second shot (which they then yank out -of-bounds). After the topped drive, I suggest that they just hit a seven iron back in play and relax and just play the hole.

You can be 3 over after 3 holes and still have a very good round. It’s tough to be 10 over after 3 and have a decent round.

Obviously you don’t want to wreck your round at the start. But, you don’t want to wreck it at ANYTIME during the round.

Usually teams and golfers have a mid-second-half slump. Maybe it’s lack of concentration…but whatever, it seems to happen…just basically sloppy play. If they can just not get too sloppy…(compounding penalties or errors or 3 putting after a chip)…things will come back.

Then, I think all players in all sports have to play aggressive at the end. Playing safe at the end of the game or at the end of the round usually turns into failure – and an ugly failure at that.

Here’s what I recommend: conservative at first while finding your rhythm; avoid getting sloppy in the mid-second-half; and then finishing aggressively.

The worst of all worlds is the opposite: reckless at the start; sloppy in the middle; playing safe at the end.

I’ve told my sons that I hope to see the Vikings win the Super Bowl before I die. I never even dreamed that the Gophers would play for the National Championship. Maybe the impossible is the new reality. We deserve it.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
(952) 443-2351
www.deerrungolf.com
www.facebook.com/DeerRunGolf
www.twitter.com/DeerRunGolfClub