Keep your eye on what new things Neuf likes

Everyone knows that technology has taken over the game.  On a yearly and sometime monthly basis, there are new clubs coming out that offer new advances never before seen.  For example, I thought I wanted a Callaway Epic driver because of it's "jailbreak" technology.  Then Taylormade comes out with their new "twist-face" technology.

Most of us are fairly satisfied with our equipment until we see someone else with something new and shiny.  For example, I wasn't that excited about new golf balls until I saw Darcy Kowalchuk and his brand new Vice and Kirkland Signature models.   I am pretty sure  that Brad Benton is sponsored by Titleist the way that he has been promoting the new AVX balls.  He has told me about them 4 or 5 times.

In Shoal Lake, it seems like Neuf is the early adopter to most things new.  I recall not so long ago that he came to the course with this giant new Super Stroke putter grip.  People examined it closely and made fun of the way that it looked.  We held his putter in our hands and said how uncomfortable it was and how it made no sense.  Fast forward to present day when many people, including most of those with whom I play, have an oversized grip.

It wasn't that long ago that golf GPS first came into being.  Now everyone has them.  The early versions were replaced by touch-screen ones and then people such as Scott Martin started wearing GPS watches.  Of course, Neuf was one of the first around to get the hand-held range finder and now others are following suit.  I don't know if I need one of those...especially in Shoal Lake where I know most of the yardages from experience.  However, I will drive back home from the club house if I forgot my  regular GPS.  It's helpful to know that you are exactly 136 yards from the front of the sixth green even though your tee shot is on the seventh fairway.

My fear is that Neuf will bring something new and weird to the course and I will need to buy one because of his track record.  I can imagine an awkward conversation with a stranger at some other course when he asks me about my knee-high black boot golf shoes.  I will tell him that this guy I know has them...and that they will likely be a big thing next year.

There were 22 golfers last night, including several new ones from the farming industry who got some much deserved time off after what I assume was a busy month.

Skins went on three holes.  Winners included Robin Kimpinski / Ron Anderson ($20 on #3), Dale Martin / Jason Neufeld ($20 on #6), and Austin Hunter / Jim Geekie ($58.85 on #7).  Three of those were new winners this year.

Closest to the holes were Ron Susinski on #5 and Jason Neufeld on #9.  Ronnie made his birdie for the only two of the night.  That was good for sole possession of the deuce pot worth $71.25.  As a result, Ronnie is the new leader of the Mens' Night money list for 2018.

With the ringer board, we have Robin Kimpinski and Brad Benton tied at -3.  That's not so new. These guys usually do well in this event.

What is new is Benny's Astoria Pizzaria is sponsoring closest to the pin on #5.  Thanks to Jamie McCutchin who sponsored it for the last few years.  Continuing on with their support of the 9th hole are Kimp Services and Susinski Farms.

The golfer's memory

Golfers tend to forget many things.  For example, it is good to forget the bad shots or poor rounds.  In fact, the most effective golfers are those who can have a bad shot or hole and quickly shake it off and rebound on the next one.  The best and most consistent players have  something akin to short term memory loss.  They do better because they literally can’t remember what just happened.  Every time they get on the next tee, they stand there with a clean slate, a clear mind.  The frustrations of the last hole are not there. They can’t remember that last 3-putt or the last chunked shot around the green.  They can't remember that previous drive that went into the trees.

Others have vivid memories of their bad luck.  They tee off seven still talking about that ball that never should have been lost on four.  They stand over a long putt on nine and remind everyone how they three-putted five.  They come back to the first tee later in the day and state their hope that they don't get another six like last round.

If you want to move on after a bad shot, you need to get past that bad shot.  You need to release all the negative emotion.  I may not score as consistently as some but I am pretty sure I enjoy my time on the golf course more than most.  I may lament a lost ball for a moment before grabbing another to hit.  I don't throw my clubs because I missed a par putt or chunk a chip.  I don't see the point.  I go to golf to relax and hang out with friends.  I don't want to make it a stressful experience for myself or others.

We also seem to forget some things from September to May.  For example, some people forget that they aren't scratch golfers and get mad about early season scores in the mid forties., when that is exactly where they should be.  We don't remember that winter lasts almost 8 months in Manitoba.  It does...so I think we need to suck it up and make sure to maximize the four months when we don't live in a frigid tundra.  We fail to recall how the greens handle the winter...with people frequently complaining about their condition at the start of the year.  Again, we live in a place in which winter lasts a long time.  Be patient.  The greens will get better.

I almost forgot to write about last week.  Four skins were claimed including Jamie McCutchin / Charlie McNabb ($20 on #2), Devin Allen / Brad Benton ($20 on #3), Blake Hunter / Stephen David ($32.10 on #5), and Jason Gorrell / Sonny Blackbird ($25.50 on #6).

Speaking of Gorrell, had a nice chip in from the back of the seventh green for an eagle.  His score of -2 on that hole was the only eagle of the night.  There were no deuces.

Closest to the pins were Stephen David on #5 and Devin Allen on #9.   I missed the putt on #5.  I can't recall if it was a 3 footer or a 50 footer.  

Sorry for being late

I enjoy writing the blog and recapping Men's Night each week.  It isn't cutting edge journalism by any means but I try to do a good job.  I proofread and correct the spelling and grammatical mistakes that I notice. Usually my heart is in it and I knock it off early on Saturday morning.

There are two occasions in which my blog entries are a bit lacking.  Firstly, there are the weeks when I am away.  It's hard to write about things when I wasn't a witness to the things when they happened.  Secondly, long weekends can be a distraction for good reasons.  These two things converged this week.  I was in Winnipeg for a meeting and missed the golf.  Then May long weekend came.

So I am left to report the facts with the exception of one report from the field.  Brad Benton asked me to note that he scored an eagle on one after hitting a 3 wood onto to the green and converting the putt.  That was the only two of the evening earning him the $46.80 pot.

Skins went on three hole.  Winners included Austin Hunter / Peter Ostash ($20 on #2), Jason Neufeld / Phil Ostash ($20 on #3), and Robin Kimpinski / Theoren Hunter ($42 on #9).

Closest to the pins were Robin Kimpinski on #5 and Jamie McCutchin on #9.

Thanks to Neuf and Blake for taking care of things in my absence.  I will absolutely be there tomorrow.  It looks like a nice hot day...plus I hear that some of our farmer friends are wrapping up seeding.

Here we go again!

Well we finally got the season started.  This was one of our latest openings in recent years...but who cares because it is here now.  The start of the season is always filled with such promise.  Many have new clubs or golf clothes with new swing thoughts ready to be applied.  There are visions of low rounds and holes-in-ones as well as aspirations to score better on the ringer board while cashing in more skins.  Heck, even the desire to win the Chase-the-Ace pot is palpable at this time of year.

Speaking of Chase-the-Ace, I finally got my ticket pulled for a chance but couldn't find it among the 41 cards. It's over $1300 for next week for anyone that might be interested.

On a fairly cool opening night, we had 13 golfers come to open the year.  Skins only went on two holes.  Robin Kimpinski paired with the dummy for a $20 win on #1 while Theoren Hunter and Phil Ostash combined for $20 on #2.  Closest to the pin on #5 was Pete Ostash.  No one hit the green on #9.  There were no deuces.

I frequently say that Wednesdays from May to September are my favourite days.  However, I don't mind Saturday mornings such as these.  It's fun to update this blog with both a coffee and my dog nearby...knowing that I will be hitting golf balls with the boys in a couple of hours.

Also I know that the whole golf season is ahead of us.  There should be about 20 Mens' Nights with lots of laughs, some good and bad shots, and more than a few rides home on the cart in the dark.  We will also have some nine-and-dines,  a few Jack and Jills, and several tournaments.  Most of us still have a fairly clean slate with our significant others...given that we probably have yet to play too much or stay out too late too often.

So best of luck to everyone for a fun and long summer of golf.  May your shots be straight, may your balls fly far, may your rounds be blessed, than no worse than par.