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