Thursday, Jan 14, Edina (MN) -Here it is - a mere two weeks into the new year with still over 12" of snow on the ground and temperatures struggling to get to 30 - and I'm already deep into the Rules of Golf. Yes, tomorrow starts what has become a bi-annual tradition for me - attending a USGA/PGA Rules of Golf Workshop.
While most people here in the upper-Midwest are wearing their purple #4 jerseys and speaking only about whether this will be the year the Vikings finally win the Super Bowl, I've been trying to convince myself that I should be focusing on the new and revised Decisions just released as well as spending time at USGA University going through 0n-line rules tests. Coming off doing relatively nothing, at least related to golf competitions, for the past two months, it becomes a struggle at times to delve back into what my wife has termed "the most boring book ever written." Yet, it must be done!
After all, in only two months, I will be conducting rules clinics for the high school golf coaches on behalf of the MSHSL. Not only must I conduct them, I am responsible for creating the PowerPoint presentation that is used. And, I must have this presentation in its final form for a meeting with the other clinicians on Feb 12 - leaving me only 30 days from today!
And, thinking beyond the coaches clinics, I am conducting seven clinics for the MGA in April, so I had better know everything about the Rules! Then, only a few weeks after the last MGA clinic, the tournament season starts with the US Open Local Qualifying at Hazeltine National on Monday, May 17. Before I know it, I'll be waist-deep in the MGA Championship Season with everyone looking to me know the relief options for a ball stuck in a tree overhanging an environmentally-sensitive area that also is marked as a lateral water hazard. Phew, I'm tired even thinking about it!
Well, life isn't all bad. While I will spend my time inside from 8-5 on Saturday & Sunday and 'til 12 noon on Monday before going to the "outdoor" session, I will be in Phoenix doing this. Of course, I will leave early enough tomorrow morning to get in some golf with MGA Women's Senior Player of the Year Claudia Pilot at her club, Arrowhead CC in Glendale. And, I will see first-hand the newly renovated Papago Park GC in Phoenix on Tuesday.
I'll update on the golf as well as the sessions, so look for more posts!
Until then-
Doug
