Monthly Archives: April 2018

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Free Drinks!

Greetings Golfers,

We opened the golf course yesterday. I just have to say that again … we opened the golf course yesterday.

That felt really good to say. Feels like a therapy session when you can finally say what you need to … and then it all comes out.

What else do I need to say? Not deep seated traumatic stuff … just simple stuff involving the golf operation. We’ve had problems with our advance reservations. Some people aren’t aware that we need to sell our tee times. We’re not a private course where the members pay the bills whether they play or not. We’re a public golf club who depends on selling tee times. If people don’t show up for their tee time … we get stiffed.

What other stuff is bubbling up and must be said? Some couples don’t want to play with other people so they make a tee time for 4 people … so they can play alone. I get it … but it’s not fair. Our season is short … and our expenses are not small … we need to sell our tee times … it’s our life blood.

Since I’m on the therapy couch … here’s my last one (thanks for listening). We pride ourselves on service. Especially face-to-face service. That’s really tough to do at the desk when people are calling to make tee times. Of course we want people making tee times. As I said, it’s our life blood. But they can easily be made on the internet.

Wow – that felt great! I owe you for the therapy session. Come out to DRGC and I’ll buy you a lemonade or ice tea … I’m kidding … we give those for free. But, stop by and see me and I’ll buy you a real drink for being my therapist.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

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DRGC IS OPEN

Greetings Golfers,

Spring has sprung! Seriously … the longest winter has finally given up.

We will be open for play on Thursday. No carts. Not even on the cart paths. Walking only. Don’t worry … we’ll have an ambulance waiting in the parking lot. Just kidding – I think … (probably a pretty good idea).

A little over a week ago, we got 20+ inches of snow. Yet, the turf looks good … really good. But not ready for golf carts.

We are hoping to use golf carts over the weekend … cart path only.

As we all know, Mother Nature can be pretty fickle. Hopefully she’ll be in a good mood the rest of the year.

Cheers,

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com

Blog

Love and Putting

Greetings Golfers,

“Love and putting are mysteries for the philosophers to solve. Both subjects are beyond golfers.” Wisdom from the immortal Tommy Armour.

The Greeks had multiple words for love … some say 4, others say 6, and even others claim 8 … whatever the number, they had multiple words for love. That’s because there are different kinds of love, such as romantic love or the love of family or of friends.

Tommy Armour loved golf. His book “How to Play Your Best Golf All of the Time” is probably the best golf instruction book of all time.

I can’t believe how much I love golf. I love everything about it. And I can’t wait to play again. And I can’t wait to get Deer Run GC open to share my love of golf. No other game has inspired such great writing … authors such as Bobby Jones, Bernard Darwin, Herbert Warren Wind, James Dodson, Dan Jenkins, John Feinstein, and many others. Also, I’m on some golf sites that continually argue about the golf swing, the rules of golf, how to run a golf course, and even about the essence of golf. The passion and knowledge and insight on these sites is amazing.

Love. That’s a word we guys never used as kids … it seemed unmanly. But there is nothing unmanly about love. It takes strength to love and be motivated by love. Fear should not be the great motivator. A little fear is healthy and even wise … to be fearless is reckless and idiotic. But love is the great motivator – it can overcome fear, and it can drive the needed action.

I started this essay with a quote about love and putting. Maybe the secret to putting is love … a love of putting. I know that when I putt poorly that I putt from fear – I can’t stand to miss easy putts. Good putters love putting. Their love of putting overcomes their fear of missing.

Maybe we’ve solved the mystery Tommy Armour was talking about.
Cheers,

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

Blog

Rejuvenation

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

Blog

Snow, Jack, Tiger, and The Masters

Greetings Golfers,

Do you remember when Jack Nicklaus won the Masters in 1986?

Can’t believe it was 32 years ago. Though it was a beautiful day in Minnesota, we watched the final round from start to finish. Golf on television has been getting amazing ratings lately – all because of Tiger Woods. If Tiger is in the hunt on Sunday … your television might explode. I suspect you’ll be watching even if Tiger doesn’t make the cut … it’s not like you’ll be playing golf in Minnesota on Sunday.

This year will definitely be our latest opening at Deer Run GC. Our average opener is April 4.

It’s not the end of the world. Just a strong reminder from Mother Nature not to waste this year’s golf season.

It looked cold for Augusta. Did you see Jack and Gary Player tee off yesterday morning? Player is 82 years old and looks strong and flexible – he killed his drive off #1. How about Bernhard Langer shooting +2? Or Freddie Couples shooting even par? Amazing.

And Tiger shot +1. When he was 3 over after 12 holes, I was worried. Definitely want him to make the cut. Phil was -2. Everyone wants to see a Phil-Tiger shootout on Sunday. Throw in Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas and Rory … and you’d have the greatest Masters since Jack won in 1986. And if Tiger won … you’d probably have the greatest Masters of all time.

Well, wish I’d be seeing you at the golf course this weekend … but this Masters might make the snow outside no big deal.

Cheers,

 

Tom Abts

GM and Head Golf Professional

tabts@deerrungolf.com