This year, I signed up to play in the City Amateur golf tournament. Being as I live in a semi-large city, we have a tournament with a cut. Usually, we play 54 holes, with a cut after the first 18 and again after 36. The plan is to start with 210 players on day 1, cut it to 110 for day 2, and cut it again to 60 for day 3. I've never made it to day 3, but yet I keep trying.
As has been the pattern with much of my golf this summer, nothing has gone as planned. Yesterday's round was rained out. This was a bummer for me, because we were playing a short, easy course where I have put up some good scores in the past. But, it meant we all got to tee it up again today, albeit at a more difficult golf course. The tournament was reduced to 36 holes with 1 cut, from 210 players to 105.
So, today I had a 7:20 am tee time. I have a long history of being a choker in golf tournaments, so I tried to change things up a little. I showed up later than in past years to make it more like a regular round. No luck though! I was still nervous on the first tee, though I managed to split the fairway. But, at the green, I missed a 3 foot putt for par, and then missed a 3 foot putt for birdie on the next hole. I'm thinking this is going to be a disaster, but I kept on grinding away, determined not to embarrass myself, even if I didn't make the cut.
I hit the ball poorly all day, but my putting got better and my chipping was great, and thus I managed to shoot an 80 (par is 72), which is in my range of scores for the course we played today. I typically shoot somewhere between 76 and 82 on this course. I've gone lower and I've shot higher, but that's the typical range. The way I hit the ball, I very easily could have shot 85, so I was happy that I was able to scrape it around and put up something that was not great, but respectable at least. And, I had fun doing it, which is pretty much a tournament first for me.
I just found out that everyone who shot 81 or better made the cut, so I'm in for tomorrow. I'm very excited! I know I have no chance to win tomorrow, but I get to play nonetheless. Hopefully I can go out tomorrow and have fun once again.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Why So Defensive Democrats?
As Congressional Democrats began their August Town Hall Meetings earlier this week, a common theme emerged...people are ticked off about this Health Care Reform Mess and they are letting their representatives know it. This is what our Representative Republic is supposed to be about...the elected Representatives listening to the people of their district or state and using that to guide their judgement.
What has been the response to this from the Democrats who are pushing sweeping health care reform at a breakneck pace? They've done what they always do when faced with an honest debate...they attempt to destroy the opposition rather than debate them. Speaker Pelosi and Majority leader Reid have gone so far as to refer to the movement as "Astroturf", rebuking the notion that this is a grass roots effort. The DNC has even released advertising stating that most of the people that are opposing this are there because health insurance companies put them up to it, which may be true in some cases, but definitely not the majority.
The people who are at these town hall meetings are informed on the plan and they don't like it. When they ask questions of their Representative, they expect an honest answer. Instead, they are getting broad generalities, because the Representatives know less about the bill than the people asking the questions. I would get mad too if I found out that the person representing me is a blithering idiot who just votes for what Obama, Pelosi and Reid say they should.
If the Democrats from Obama on down believe this Health Care Reform is so necessary, they should explain to the American people why it is necessary. They should explain to the American people what it will mean for them, both in terms of quality of health care and effect on their wallet. They should be able to talk passionately about this issue and lead on it.
But, they can't do that, because most of them don't even know why this is necessary, or if it even is. They just know that they need the support of the party to get re-elected, and Obama, Pelosi and Reid run the party, so they are going along. But they better be careful, especially the Blue Dogs, because if they pass this in its current form, many of them will lose re-election.
The crux of this issue is this, from the Wall Street Journal...68% of those who have health coverage rate it as good or excellent. I'm in that group. Seventy-Four percent of people rate the quality of health care they receive as good to excellent, and 50% of those people believe that the government's plan will lead to a decline in health care services.
Basically, this country is divided. While people overwhelmingly want everyone in this country to have health coverage, people are skeptical about the government's ability to do this and make it work. Rather than lead the country and explain how this plan is going to work for everyone, the Democrats are simply ridiculing the opposition. Rather than listening to the people at their town hall meetings, the Democrats are referring to these people as an angry mob.
There are a lot of us out here who are informed on the issues, and we don't like this plan. This plan will raise our taxes, will not lower health care costs, and will reduce our quality of care. We know this, but rather than work with us to figure out a solution that will work for everybody, the elitist, aristocratic Democrats assume that we are as stupid as the majority of their voters, and simply tune us out as an angry mob. It's a sad state of affairs and it will cost the Democrats at the polls in 2010.
What has been the response to this from the Democrats who are pushing sweeping health care reform at a breakneck pace? They've done what they always do when faced with an honest debate...they attempt to destroy the opposition rather than debate them. Speaker Pelosi and Majority leader Reid have gone so far as to refer to the movement as "Astroturf", rebuking the notion that this is a grass roots effort. The DNC has even released advertising stating that most of the people that are opposing this are there because health insurance companies put them up to it, which may be true in some cases, but definitely not the majority.
The people who are at these town hall meetings are informed on the plan and they don't like it. When they ask questions of their Representative, they expect an honest answer. Instead, they are getting broad generalities, because the Representatives know less about the bill than the people asking the questions. I would get mad too if I found out that the person representing me is a blithering idiot who just votes for what Obama, Pelosi and Reid say they should.
If the Democrats from Obama on down believe this Health Care Reform is so necessary, they should explain to the American people why it is necessary. They should explain to the American people what it will mean for them, both in terms of quality of health care and effect on their wallet. They should be able to talk passionately about this issue and lead on it.
But, they can't do that, because most of them don't even know why this is necessary, or if it even is. They just know that they need the support of the party to get re-elected, and Obama, Pelosi and Reid run the party, so they are going along. But they better be careful, especially the Blue Dogs, because if they pass this in its current form, many of them will lose re-election.
The crux of this issue is this, from the Wall Street Journal...68% of those who have health coverage rate it as good or excellent. I'm in that group. Seventy-Four percent of people rate the quality of health care they receive as good to excellent, and 50% of those people believe that the government's plan will lead to a decline in health care services.
Basically, this country is divided. While people overwhelmingly want everyone in this country to have health coverage, people are skeptical about the government's ability to do this and make it work. Rather than lead the country and explain how this plan is going to work for everyone, the Democrats are simply ridiculing the opposition. Rather than listening to the people at their town hall meetings, the Democrats are referring to these people as an angry mob.
There are a lot of us out here who are informed on the issues, and we don't like this plan. This plan will raise our taxes, will not lower health care costs, and will reduce our quality of care. We know this, but rather than work with us to figure out a solution that will work for everybody, the elitist, aristocratic Democrats assume that we are as stupid as the majority of their voters, and simply tune us out as an angry mob. It's a sad state of affairs and it will cost the Democrats at the polls in 2010.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Return of Philly Mick
My favorite professional golfer, and all around good guy, Phil Mickelson (a.k.a Philly Mick, a.k.a. Lefty) is returning to the PGA Tour this week after a 6 week hiatus to be with his wife and mom who were both battling breast cancer. Both women are recovering, and apparently well enough that Phil can return to play, though he's not giving much away at this point.
I don't know how Phil will do in his return. I suspect he'll play like Phil always plays...birdies and bogeys, hopefully more birdies than bogeys. I just know that I'm glad he's back. The last 6 weeks on tour haven't been the same without him.
I don't know how Phil will do in his return. I suspect he'll play like Phil always plays...birdies and bogeys, hopefully more birdies than bogeys. I just know that I'm glad he's back. The last 6 weeks on tour haven't been the same without him.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Bike Ride
On Sunday morning, after mass, my wife and I went for a bike ride. Two summers ago, I got into riding bikes, and rode over 400 miles that summer. Last summer, I was more in the 200 mile range. This summer, I've been lazy and have done less than 100 miles...I need to get back at it.
So, Sunday, we went to a local trail, and we were planning to ride to a town approximately 10 miles away and then back. The trail is crushed limestone and relatively flat, so I thought I could do it. Also, the trail is through the lush countryside, so it's really a pretty ride. Add to that perfect temperatures, and it was a great day for a ride.
We made it to our turn around point in about 45 minutes and I was feeling really good. We took a short break and headed back. However, during our short break, the wind had picked up a little, so we rode back into the wind. With about 4 miles to go, I hit the wall. We had to stop twice in the last 4 miles so I could rest, but we made it. I was tired and in need of a Gatorade, but happy with the ride. We did 19.1 miles and averaged 10.8 mph. We both have trail bikes, so 10-14 mph is pretty good on those bikes.
Hopefully this will motivate me to get back on my bike and get back into shape. My wife and I want to go again this fall when the leaves are changing. Improving on that ride will be a good goal.
So, Sunday, we went to a local trail, and we were planning to ride to a town approximately 10 miles away and then back. The trail is crushed limestone and relatively flat, so I thought I could do it. Also, the trail is through the lush countryside, so it's really a pretty ride. Add to that perfect temperatures, and it was a great day for a ride.
We made it to our turn around point in about 45 minutes and I was feeling really good. We took a short break and headed back. However, during our short break, the wind had picked up a little, so we rode back into the wind. With about 4 miles to go, I hit the wall. We had to stop twice in the last 4 miles so I could rest, but we made it. I was tired and in need of a Gatorade, but happy with the ride. We did 19.1 miles and averaged 10.8 mph. We both have trail bikes, so 10-14 mph is pretty good on those bikes.
Hopefully this will motivate me to get back on my bike and get back into shape. My wife and I want to go again this fall when the leaves are changing. Improving on that ride will be a good goal.
Daily Funny
A coworker sent this to me today. Apparently this was from Mallard Fillmore today...I don't get the paper.
It's good humor, and as we know, all good humor has an ounce of truth to it.
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