John’s Story

This week I would like to step aside from the keyboard and share with you instead a lovely story about golf written by my friend John Lutter:

Today I played Keller with a father and son, Warren and Tom. By way of introduction, Warren told me that the last time he played Keller was in 1949. “That’s the year Sam Snead won here,” he said.

After teeing off, he observed that the first hole is the same as the last time he played, and he wondered how much the rest of the course had changed. One thing different since Warren's last round was the routing: What's now number 12 used to be number three, for example. Warren asked about the hole that follows, “the par three that you have to carry the hollow.” I told him that it is now number 13 and the hollow is still there. We all played from the white tees on the first hole, but thereafter Warren moved up to the forward tees. Somewhat apologetically he said, “That’s what we call them in Texas, not the ‘ladies tees.’ I can't reach the green in two from the white tees anymore.” I ought to mention that Warren is 85 years old and, at that age, nobody deserves any static about what tees he or she plays from.

Warren has been living in Frankston, Texas, since 1995 and plays Pine Dunes. He pointed to his hat and said, “This is where I play, the No. 1 public course in Texas.” He and his buddies get together on Thursdays. But judging from his game, he must get out more than once a week.

When we got to number four—the par three with the gigantic spreading oak in front of the green—I asked Warren if he recognized the hole. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “I’ve hit that tree a couple times, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to get over it today.” So he played a perfect shot under it and made his par.

The conditions were as close to perfect as I’ve encountered this summer. The temperature was comfortable, the skies sunny, and not even a trace of a breeze. The only negative was the pace of play. I expected all the hackers to stay home and watch the Vikings, but four of them jammed up the works for the rest of us who followed. It took us about two-and-a-half hours to play the front nine. Tom did the math in his head and said, “We're headed for a five-hour round.”

When we saw the ranger on the 11th tee, he apologized for all the waiting. “I can only get just so harsh with them,” he said. “This is a county course, and if people feel they’ve been yelled at too much, they call a county commissioner. As far as the commissioner is concerned, everyone who calls is a vote, and they want every vote they can get, so I wind up hearing about it.”

I told him I had to mow the lawn after my round, so I wasn’t in any hurry. Besides, Warren was keeping things interesting. About the time we were making the turn he said that when he was young everyone wanted to hit a 300-yard drive. “Maybe once a year if you caught one just right it’d go 300,” he said. “Otherwise, you had to settle for 280.” Settle for 280? Warren must have been quite the stick in his day. If his son Tom’s play was any indication, he probably was.

We played 13 without incident and then came to Warren’s favorite hole, where he hit his tee shot a little fat and came up a little short. I think he made his bogey, though. On number 14, the short dogleg par four, Warren pointed up the fairway to the weeping willow up by the green and said, “Sam Snead made eagle on this hole. He holed out from where that weeping willow is.” He continued, “You know, he got a check for $4,500 for winning. I was thinking about going pro, but not for that kind of money. So I got a real job.”

From there, the round wound down softly and quietly, like a perfect fall afternoon. By the end, Warren was moving pretty slow. More than once I noticed him leaning on his putter and wedge like a pair of canes after holing out. Tom was a model of patience and appeared to genuinely relish the experience. Not for a moment did it seem like he wanted to be somewhere else with anyone else.

A par on 18 allowed me to bookend an adventurous round in competence. It came courtesy of a nice approach shot from 180 yards out that drew praise from Warren. On the green, my 25-footer burned the right edge of the cup and I was left with a gimmee. “I was really hoping you’d make that birdie putt,” Warren said. “Finishing a round like that makes you want to come back.”

Had I been quicker witted, I would have said, that’s true, Warren, but meeting incredibly nice and interesting people will bring a guy back, too. Instead, I shook his hand and told him I never met a par I didn’t like and to not wait another 60 years to play Keller again.

Thanks for letting me share your story, John!

—Dee Forsberg

The Bump and Run

Tomorrow, Gerald is off to Ireland for some golf with the “lads.” I am to follow one week later, when he and I will tour the great links courses of the north. To say I am excited is an understatement—this trip is on my bucket list.

While it is my first time to the Emerald Isle, it is not my first rodeo on links courses. In preparation, I have been bringing my ball flight down whenever I can as I play my shots onto the green.

On Sunday, while playing at Oak Ridge Country Club (fabulous condition, BTW), one of my golfing companions noticed that I was opting for runners to the green and asked me some questions regarding club selection. For me, club selection is the key to playing a bump and run—the club you use is based on the ratio between ball flight (air time) and roll (ground time).

To keep this simple, let’s assume our goal is to land the ball two to three paces onto the front of the green and let the ball roll the remaining distance to the hole.

Choose a pitching wedge if the flight distance to the landing area is roughly equal to the amount of roll out to the pin.

Choose a seven iron if the flight distance is one-fourth air and three-quarters roll.

Use nine irons and gap wedges for those in-between chips.

I have noticed in my own play the effectiveness of this simple little shot. I have even used it for tight, front-of-the-green pin placements. I call these “sucker” pins because they pigeon hole you into thinking the flop shot is the only answer. It is not your only option! With a little practice, you may even find the bump and run out-performing your lob wedge.

—Dee Forsberg

How Green is My Valley

Celtic Manor will play host to the 2010 Ryder Cup and is located near the coast. Many years ago I developed an affinity for the area when I stayed in Raglan. Set close to the Brecken Mountains, I used to go fishing and hiking while staying in this quaint village. The Welsh people are hard-working and down to earth, much like the Irish. I named my blog this week after a famous movie of the same title that showcases the heart and spirit of the Welsh people. Ryder Cup fans won’t be disappointed to have such a wonderful venue to showcase the hottest rivalry in golf.

I made a subsequent visit a few years back with my friend Dwight Opperman for a golf holiday. My first impression of this gorgeous property was how vast it was—with its rolling hills, luscious green valleys, and an overall feel of total isolation from the rest of the world.

It had quite a history that left an impression on me. As is true of most of the United Kingdom resorts, it has had many incarnations. Celtic Manor was at one time the Lydia Beynon Maternity Hospital where the current owner, Sir Terry Matthews, was delivered. This billionaire decided that the site could benefit Wales as a destination for tourism and golf.

The Twenty Ten Course was built exclusively for the 2010 Ryder Cup and is sure to suit the Euro’s game—after all, it cost nearly 28 million euros! Wales will be the destination for golf this month and probably for years to come after people visit this marvelous venue.

What I would like to share with you is my impression of the Welsh people. As a boy I watched on television the International Rugby Matches between Ireland and Wales. It was a sight to behold that brought tears to my eyes. Fifty-thousand Welshmen singing their national anthem in their native tongue: Magical! Will they sing for Tiger next month?

If you are considering golfing in Wales, the one course you must play is Royal Porthcawl. It too has amazing history and is a true gem for links golf in the British Isles.

Happy golf yr wythnos hon!

—Gerald McCullagh

Superior Golf

The North Shore beckons us with the allure of escape from the urban grind. The rugged coastline of Lake Superior coupled with the vast expanse of water and sky truly makes one feel as if they were thousands of miles from home. Yet, home we are as we pop into Grandma’s for a pint or indulge our sweet tooth at Betty’s Pies.

The North Shore will be showcased in all her glory these next few weeks as the colors pop and we bask in the cooler temperatures. Perfect golf weather is at hand, and there is no better place to experience this than along Lake Superior.

Duluth has many choices for golfing, but you won’t go wrong if you stay in town and play the two city courses: Lester Park and Enger Park. These municipals are well designed and maintained, and they offer incredible views.

The day we played we were able to witness on the 10th hole the “tall ships” leaving Duluth. What a sight! It was like looking back in time to see those historic ships at full mast and riding the wind. In fact, Lester Park has views of Lake Superior on almost every hole you play.

If you are looking for a resort course, drive an hour or more up the shore to Superior National. Twenty-seven holes of terrific golf and service will certainly make you forget that winter will soon blanket our courses in a mantle of snow. The original 18 has fully matured and will challenge your game in a very traditional way. The new nine may require a few more pellets, but the spectacular views are well worth the challenge.

We are so blessed to have this wonderful region so close to the Twin Cities. I think you definitely will find it worth your while to play these fabulous golf courses the next time you hit the interstate and head up north.

Happy Golfing!

—Dee Forsberg

The Minnesota Women’s Golf Association

I opened my e-mail yesterday and found a letter from my friend, Cherie. She was a bit cross with me for neglecting to write about the Minnesota Women’s Golf Association (MWGA) and the integral role it has played in shaping women’s golf in our state.

It wasn’t intentional on my part, but it got me thinking about how lucky I have been to have had full access to competition at every level in golf throughout my life. (The only tournament that is biased to women is the Tapemark. For some archaic reason, women golf professionals and amateurs are always passed over for the main event.)

However, this open-door access to most sports is relatively new, and if I were just a handful of years older I would have had a much different life. The MWGA has been a true pioneer that championed women’s golf since 1915. Because they have always been there for me, I took their contributions for granted.

To make sure that women have continued access to golf, The MWGA Foundation was formed in 1997 to provide financial assistance for high school and college girls involved in or interested in golf and grants to golf programs.

The MWGA is a wonderful organization that often gets relegated to the background when compared to her big brothers of the MGA and even the PGA. But if you were to ask women golfers age nine to 90 if they benefited from this organization, the answer would be an overwhelming yes!

Thank you, ladies of the MWGA.

—Dee Forsberg