" Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing "

Hollydale Golf Course

Playing November golf here in Minnesota is a gift. I played Hollydale Golf Course on Monday 11/16 with a warm 51 degree sun shining over frozen ponds. By the end of the round as the sun set on the horizon, the temperature had dropped to a cool 39 F.
Below are some photos from what may have been the most fun afternoon of the year. My score you ask? ….. 76. I think I played better than that number, by my short game let me down on the back nine.

Eagle Trace in Clearwater

Fall Golf Spectacular at Shamrock GC

I had almost given up hope for another round of golf here in the North Country. Just two weeks ago I was taking pictures of snow on the ground. Today was windy, but in the upper 50’s … seemed really warm compared to recent temperatures. You cannot let an opprotunity like this to go to waste!
Best part of my round, and entire year for that matter, was an eagle 2 on hole #12. It’s a shorty par four measuring 320 yards, and my drive landed on the green – 8ft from the pin.
Sometimes life is really tough, and other times it seems like heaven. Today was most definately in the latter catagory.

I even won the coveted “Gordo Trophy” ….

Albion Ridges Golf Course

Starting with 18 holes in 1991, Albion Ridges Golf Course now offers 27 holes of championship golf with 3 distinct nine hole courses; Rock, Granite and Boulder. Designer Todd Severud incorporated numerous elevation changes, water hazards, and a layout that provides many options from the tee box. This seems to be exciting, challenging, and quite dangerous for me because my natural instinct is to cut corners and take gambling shot lines with a large drive. I place this course in my top 3 favorite places to play anywhere.

My scores were pretty low for my game this year, shooting 38, 37, 37. All three 9 hole courses carry a par of 36. While not the hardest course on the planet, Albion Ridges is playable, yet ready to capture any ball hit poorly. This course just fits my eye and style of play … “Most fun on the links in a long time”! Of course it helps when I am competing with my best friend in the world, who also happens to be my father.

Hollydale GOLF Dreams

There was a soft glow of sunlight that shimmered through a small opening in the hazy grey skies, and seemed to linger over each turn I made. My golf course was private, and my solitude was only circumnavigated by my one playing companion. Raw majestic beauty shook the core of my spirit as my eyes were dazzled with bright hues of green … and grandeur. I could stay in this one location for eternity. Indeed, that was the evident fact as days and months rolled by.
The club I played was private, not because of hierarchy or status quo, but because the parameters were guarded and patrolled from both inward and outward traffic. My mind was pacified by this, and focused. The jail I resided in was not one of contempt, but of freedom. Ironically it seemed to be my own fortress of serenity.
I became proficient and powerful with the set of tools I carried. Even the most simple of weapons can take decades to master. The defined sharp motions of a machine combined with fluid grace of Samurai embodied each effort to conquer this play field. My rewards were not in numbers, but yet in visual accomplishment. There are so few things in life that reward is assured for effort. Sometimes I wonder if there really are any other arenas that can hold this to be true.
Thoughts of pain, disquietude, and contrition were all held at bay as I made my way from each tee to green. The joy in just this one aspect was savory. Futile are those that seek for light, when they are surrounded by darkness. A simple statement … yes, but one only self evident with the reflections resonating from forgiveness and hope.
My journey here will be lifelong, and irresolute – If only in my dreams …

Riverwood National GC

The LINKS at Northfork / Minnesota

Rum River Hills GC

Masters in Augusta Georgia

Trevor Immelman win in 2008

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