Today I’m so excited to just relax, watch the British Open, help my children with their golf games, and have dinner at the Merit Club. What a day. I’ve been traveling quite a bit, getting involved with corporate outings, since I’m not playing as much competitive golf. I would love to play the Senior British Open, however, I made the decision it’s too far and too expensive to go qualify against all the locals on courses that I’ve never seen.
This past Monday I had the honor to be invited to bring a team to play in the Butler Cup. Therefore, I brought my son, the General Manager of Rivers Casino, and a friend to play in what proved to be a very challenging course. We didn’t make a birdie until the par 5 number 8, where I hit three very good shots and made my putt from about eight feet. For me it’s very exciting to play a course that requires strategy, where you have to think one shot ahead. Ball placement gives you the best opportunity to make putts and save shots. Butler National is ranked fourth in the state and lives up to it’s reputation as the toughest course in the Chicagoland area. When the tour played there from 1972 through about 1985, the average scoring average was higher than all the majors each and every year, which gives you some indication as to how tough Butler can play.
Late this past week I spent a few days with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney at the Stanwich Golf Club in Greenwich, CT. My friend John invited me and I can only tell you the golf course is in great shape and is a fun course to play. Also, David D, the Chief Investment Strategist and Managing Director for MSSB, gave a speech at dinner that was so compelling I was spellbound with his global perspectives. I truly look forward to keeping up with him over the next few years. One of the best aspects of his prolific writing and lecturing, is his donation of one book’s proceeds to the MSSB victims of 911, which has already produced over five million dollars.
I have so much to look forward to in the next few weeks. Thursday and Friday this coming week I’ll be in Minneapolis. Representing Grey Oaks I’ll be playing with Karl Bublitz, Jim Jewel, along with members from our club in Naples, Florida. Grey Oaks is known for their hospitality and service, therefore, I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun playing and eating great meals. We’ll be playing Bear Path Golf Club and Wayzata Country Club, which is the club that Tim Heron grew up playing. Wayzata also has a course rating of 74.3 and a slope of 143. So sloped fast greens will run your score up very rapidly. I played there a few time in a very successful Wendy’s outing over the past few years, where they raised a lot of money for adoptions through the Dave Thomas Foundation. I always love foundations that help children find a better life.
Following up my corporate work in Minneapolis, I’ll stay around to qualify for the 3M Championship, which is one of my favorite tournaments. I look forward to playing my best golf over the next few months. We go to Canada for two tournaments after a Seattle event, and you just cant beat the northern latitudes at this time of year where it’s so hot in most of the southern states. Also, I love this time of year because I’ve played enough to be competitive, which always gives you hope for exciting play. So until later, play your best golf and please stop passing judgment as to how you are doing- just enjoy your playing partners and all the joys of playing golf. Period!