Everyone knows that Ireland is green – the Emerald Isle, etc. But how about Minnesota being green? In March? Are you kidding me? Flying in the other day, I looked out the window over St. Paul and couldn’t believe it – as green as Ireland. That’s crazy.

We’ll take it. Last year we were buried under snow in March. When we did open in April, it never warmed up. I remember thinking it was no big deal, because May will be really nice and the course will green up and everything will be wonderful. Wrong. May was cold and awful. June was nasty until the 25th. Then, July was a broiler – record heat. That weather was not good for golf courses.

Fortunately, the mild winter was good for golf courses and this early Spring has been perfect. Not only has Mother Nature cooperated, but during the off-season we did some big-time course improvements. And just yesterday we completed the grading and sodding so that it’s better than ever.

So, we are green in March. And with completed course improvements. This year is already making up for last year. This is definitely the year to play golf.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Hope you’re enjoying the weather. I’ve heard that the Deer Run golf course is in great shape. Heard? Yeah – I’m in Ireland.

Have I played golf in Ireland? No… But went to Lahinch yesterday (the St. Andrews of Ireland)… and just walked around. Spent an hour next to the first tee talking (listening) to one of their elderly members talk about life, philosophy, and medicine (he was a doctor). He was right out the book Golf In The Kingdom. I know that I’m a little out-there… maybe on a different planet, but this guy was in a different universe… probably the smartest, most interesting guy I’ve ever met. Wish that we could have hung-out in a Pub.

Speaking of Pubs… they’re just great. The people here love to talk, and the Guinness just fuels the fire. I’d always heard that the Guinness in Ireland is better than it is in the States… I don’t agree. I think that the Guinness in the Deer Run Pub is just as good, and I’ve been sampling Guinness all over Ireland (just to make sure).

I may be in Ireland, but you’ve got better weather in Minnesota – in March! Unbelievable… as they say over here “Thank your lucky stars”. Hope you’re teeing it up… and drinking a pint of Guinness.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

Just got back from Las Vegas. No-no-no … not what you’re thinking … I was at the NGCOA Convention … I went to hear some guy talk about FastPlayFriday.

The convention was good… golf biz people are starting to get it. Here’s the deal in a nutshell: Golf has had a reputation as being snobby and stuffy – that hasn’t been good for the growth of the game. Sure, some private clubs back East were definitely bastions of blue-blood snobbery and not exactly a lot of laughs. But, the roots of the game go back to Scottish shepherds who hit a rock with a stick and played for the reward of winning a shot of whiskey from the other shepherd – not exactly snob-central.

Why can’t you have the best of both worlds? Have an attractive clubhouse, manicured golf course, attractive flowers, good food, cool pro shop, and… a fun, relaxed atmosphere that even the old Scottish shepherds would enjoy?

Cheers,

Tom Abts