7TH GOPHER INVITATIONAL, Spring Hill GCThe end of the golf season, or at least the tournament portion thereof, is within view. This is apparent for many reasons. First, football season has taken over the sports broadcasts and newspaper sections. Second, talk in baseball is the pennant races and upcoming playoffs. (The Twins abysmal performance has help promote the first reason.) Third, Labor Day has come and gone. Fourth, the weather is starting to cool. And, fifth, the Gopher Invitational is here.
This is the seventh edition of the Invitational - all here at Spring Hill. Spring Hill is a great facility. It has a very challenging course that is always in impeccable condition thanks to Superintendent Tim Johnson and his staff. Even with the challenging growing conditions of 2011, he has the course looking as good as ever. It is likely the most challenging and best conditioned course these players will play this entire 2011-2012 collegiate season.
Also, the food is wonderful! I am truly thankful that I don't have more events out here as I would weigh significantly more than I do already. Yet, I appreciate my one day out here annually. Fresh, homemade blueberry/white chocolate scones, some of the best bacon you can find, fresh cookies, 1919 Root Beer. I could go on and on but I won't so you don't get hungry.
This year marks John Carlson's first to oversee the entire Men's Gopher Golf program. Carlson was rehired to run the Men's program after he served as the Men's Coach under John Harris through a tumultuous 2010-2011 year. He looks to put his own stamp on the program that has seen significant highs and lows over the past ten years.
The weather looks to be perfect, so there will be no excuses blaming the weather for poor play, unless it is due to the sun getting in the player's eyes. This weather is why we (or many of us) suffer through playing in the cold spring and late fall days. Glorious is the best word to describe the next two days.
Lastly, on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, may we all remember the events of that tragic day and work to keep from them happening again. May we regain the unity we, as Americans, shared in the aftermath and overcome the partisan bickering that has taken over politics and society. And lastly, but most importantly, may we pray that God, through us, bring peace and harmony to an otherwise wonderful world.
Until next time-
Doug
