Greetings Golfers,

Spring is almost here. St. Patrick’s Day is next Friday, March 17. And the first day of Spring is Monday, March 20.

Obviously the weather lately has been crazy. Every year we seem to open the course at the same time the ice goes out on Lake Minnetonka. We don’t plan it that way, it just falls like that. Well, we’re tentatively planning on opening next Friday … will we be serving green beer? Maybe. But for sure we will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day – especially if it’s 57 degrees as the Weather Service is predicting.

It’s always an early Spring when we open before the Masters. They’ve had such unusually warm weather in Augusta that they’re worried the azaleas won’t be in their normal blooming colors for the tournament. What players do you think will be “blooming” at the Masters? I think this might be Rickie Fowlers year … he’s been hitting it great and putting really well. You have putt well to win the Masters. What’s happened to Jason Day’s putting? Is his back affecting his putting? I don’t think Rory is putting well enough to win it. Henrik Stenson hits it great but … he can’t putt well enough to tame Augusta National. What’s happened to Patrick Reed? He looked like the best player in the world at Hazeltine last Fall during the Ryder Cup. He’s been brutal so far in 2017.

How’s your game? Are you ready to tee-it-up here next Friday? Some courses have already opened – did you play then? Did you get away this Winter for a few rounds?

I’ve been swinging a “fan” type of practice club and the Orange Whip. Of course I’m convinced that my swing is stronger … I’ll find out after we open. But if I’m not longer, I’ll blame it on the wind and wet fairways.

I love Spring. I just hope the weatherman is right and we can open the golf course.

Cheers,

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