Dear Readers, Clients & Friends,

Many of you will be pleased to know that I have been back on the golf course several times over the past 3 weeks.  I am continuing my commitment to fitness so that I can reach my goal of weighing 200 pounds by years end.  As of my last check, I am down to 238 pounds.  This represents a loss of 58 pounds from my all time high.   Growing up I dabbled in basketball, basketball, and baseball …. but golf was my game.

Until recently, I had not played golf seriously for 9 years and I had not stepped onto a course AT ALL in 3 years.  I practiced a bit at a driving range early in the morning of June 27 and proceeded to play 9 holes after that.   I got paired up with a regular at a local course named Dominic and was comically subjected to him bursting out with an Italian F-word after every shot.   He was probably 65 y.o. and shot 3 over par.  Dominic F. was absolutely disgusted with this score —- unbelievable!!   I shot a 55 on the par 35 front nine.  I was disgusted too, but I knew that i had to start somewhere.

A week and a half later (last week), I played slightly better … shooting a 49 on the same 9 holes.   I regressed 2 days later, shooting 52.   These 3 rounds were all in preparation for a golf outing with a host and producer from ESPN Radio that took place on 7/12 – last Saturday.    A guest and I were entitled to 18 holes w/ a cart at Stanely GC in New Britain, CT, courtesty of the Back Page with Jason Page, heard locally on 1410 and 1300 AM in Connecticut.   I played terribly on the front 9, shooting 56 which included an 11 on the first hole.  However, I started remembering old strategies for successful golf and improved to finish with a 48 on the back 9.    FYI:  The uphill, dogleg right, 13th hole is ONE OF THE HARDEST PAR 4’S I can remember playing in my life.   You must hit a fade off the tee or be able to hit a very low trajectory drive.   I must have it the ball off the toe of my driver.   My ball ended up in the hardware department of the New Britain Target store, which is adjacent to the 13th fairway.   Sorry Tar-shay employees!!!

Sunday morning I gave the links one more try before church.  I played 9 holes at Keney GC, located on the border of the north end of Hartford and Windsor, CT.   I had heard rumors over the years about how terrible this course was maintained and the joke that involved asking for the bulletproof vest special.  Keney was a special experience and my round there proved those myths untrure.   American Golf has done a terrific job managing Hartford’s two public courses over the past 14 years (Keney and Goodwin) and the prices definitely allow anyone to play.    Keney was designed by legendary designer Devereux Emmet in 1924.  Emmet also was responsible for masterpieces such as the Bethpage State Park – Green Course on Long Island, NY, Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD and the Hartford Golf Club.    Playing Keney exceeded my expectations 10x.   Its rolling fairways and postage stamp greens were truly challenging.   The front 9 was in superb shape, except for parts of the 1st green.   I gathered from my playing partners that it has the reputation for being a shotmaker’s course.   Bring your game plan with you…..you’ll need it.   I birdied the par 3 – 6th hole, and finished the round with a 10-over 45.

FORE!!   Watch out for the ball over your head.