In this edition, I thought I would give you a "behind-the-scenes" look at my schedule. Here it is - May 11 - and I'm so far behind with what has gone on thus far in this young season and have so much to do before it's June. Since I last posted, I have:-finished conducting the Big Ten Men's Golf Championship at Windsong Farm. Illinois repeated for the team title and a Northwestern golfer claimed the individual title. My one lasting comment and memory from the event -- boy, are college golfers ever slow! It was often painful to watch how long it took to play shots. Yes, the conditions were difficult, especially Saturday, but still...
-went to Duluth and conducted two rules programs for members at Ridgeview Country Club. I had nearly 50 interested ladies on one night followed by over 60 men the next. While I wasn't teaching, I toured the course with manager Steve Anderson and superintendent Wes Salo to talk about course marking. In addition, I made a stop at Black Bear Golf Course (next to the casino in Carlton off I-35) for a site visit for our Players' Qualifying and Enger Park for a site visit for our MGA Amateur Qualifying that will be held there in May. Enger is the third busiest course in the state (in rounds played) behind Bunker Hills (Coon Rapids) and Braemar (Edina). I left Duluth last Friday in snow.
-conducted the Spring Meeting of both the MGA Tournament & Rules Committee and Tournament Volunteers (more on these in my next post) at Midland Hills Country Club.
And, if that schedule isn't busy enough, in just the next few weeks, I have:
-Monday, May 17: US Open Local Qualifying @ Hazeltine National Golf Club. We have the second largest local qualifing event in the country, behind only Cincinnati. The field of 150 (full) will be playing for nine (9) spots into the Sectional qualifying.
In order to get ready for that, I have to set up the course (setting tee and hole placements and checking course marking), create the Local Rules & Hole Location Sheet, determine volunteer assignments, create scorecards, make arrangements for breakfast and lunch for our volunteers, pack the truck, haul the score board and tents to the course and set them up. This all must happen BEFORE anyone hits a golf shot!
-In addition the the US Open qualifying, I have five qualifying events for our three MGA Players' Championships (Regular, Mid & Senior) that all need score cards, score sheets, Local Rules sheets, and other last minute touches that must all happen BEFORE Monday.
-In addition to those five events, I need to finalize the MGA Team for the MGA/PGA Cup Matches, set for May 25 at Rush Creek Golf Club and do the last minute planning details for that, including course set-up.
-And if those seven total events aren't enough to keep me busy, I have the assorted office details that must be accomplished ... immediately!!
And I've had people say, "Gee, your job sounds like fun. How can I get one like yours?" Yes, it's true, I do have a good job and one that is fun ... most of the time. But, at this time of year, I could use time to stop for about 3-4 days to allow me to catch up and I'm not talking about sleep (yet).
Until next time (if I make it)-
Doug
