What’s an “A” Game Anyway.

The quest for every golfer is to find their “A” game and shoot a perfect round. But what is the perfect round and how does one find it? Golfers devote a lifetime in pursuit of those two answers. Time and again golfers boast that they discovered “the secret” through a new swing thought, a piece of equipment, or maybe even a fitness program. But at the end of the round was perfection found? I ask this because I find that my definition of perfection has changed dramatically in the 30-plus years that I have played this game.

I love Tiger and Jack not only for their prowess but for their pursuit of perfection. They have set standards that golfers will chase for years to come. Tiger coined the phrase "A" game in his post-round interviews, and I am fascinated with its meaning. Does he have the expectation that every part of his game is in top form, or does he plan his strategy around the strongest aspects of his game? Annika Sorenstam often speaks of her “Vision 54” training in which she defines the perfect round as 18 under par. The dictionary defines par as the standard score assigned to each hole or the sum total of the 18 holes played in a round. It can be achieved any number of ways when playing a hole but at the end you only have room on the card for the number. Where should the average golfer look to find their own definition of perfection?

Looking back on my journey with golf, I have learned that the challenge of finding perfection has been the true reward of this game. I celebrate my birdies, appreciate par, and try to forget the bogies!

--Dee Forsberg

Golf is More Than a Sport

I want to share with you a joke I recently heard.

Arthur is 90 years old. He's played golf every day since his retirement 25 years ago. One day he arrives home looking downcast.

"That's it," he tells his wife. "I'm giving up golf. My eyesight has gotten so bad that once I've hit the ball I can't see where it went."

His wife sympathizes and makes him a cup of tea. As they sit down she says, "Why don't you take my brother with you and give it one more try."

"That's no good," sighs Arthur, "your brother is 103 years old!!! He can't help."

"He may be a 103," says the wife, "but his eyesight is perfect."

So the next day Arthur heads off to the golf course with his brother-in- law. He tees up, takes an almighty swing and squints down the fairway. He turns to the brother-in-law. "Did you see the ball?"

"Of course I did!" replies the brother-in-law. "I have perfect eyesight."

"Where did it go?" asks Arthur.

"I don't remember."

I like to share this joke for the simple reason that golf is a lifelong game, and unlike any other sport we can play until we are a 100 years of age. Regardless of age or background, golfers pit their skills against the challenges of the course. The elements are tempered against the beautiful backdrop of the surroundings and being outdoors. Look down the fairway today and you see foursomes composed of young and old alike brought together by a shared passion for the sport. Is there any other sport that allows people of different ages come together like this for competition and companionship?

Golf also offers us the chance to learn important life lessons and skills. I would like to share a story of mine about a Mr. Charles Bell who flew me out to California to give him a lesson on his 90st birthday. It fascinated me that a man with legendary accomplishments as a leader and CEO of General Mills would still seek improvement and learning at 90 years of age. He illustrated to me the point that one can never stop learning. Life is an endless journey and golf offers us many fairways to travel down.

What a sport!

--Gerald McCullagh

Spring Golf

While the change of seasons can mark new beginnings, it also reminds us of the past. Spring takes me back to my collegiate days at the University of Minnesota where I spent my time studying and playing Division I Golf. College golf was tough in a northern climate as most of our practices were spent in cold, wet weather. The upshot was traveling to warm destinations to compete against nationally ranked teams. As a four-year starter on the Women’s Golf Team, I had the great fortune of being coached by Ann Zahn. She held numerous state titles and inspired all of us to achieve our potential with her wit, wisdom, and competitive spirit. One of my fondest memories at the University was developing an acquaintance with the late Les Bolstad, men’s golf coach at the University from 1947–1976. He was a pioneer in golf instruction and mentored many top players including Patty Berg and Babe Didrickson. Every time I step onto the first tee at the golf course named in his honor, I think of “the Babe” and how he once told me she could carry the hill—that’s a drive of 260 yards! Not bad for a lady in a skirt with a metal shafted driver! While The Babe was my idol, Patty Berg was my favorite. While playing in the U.S. Women’s Public Links Championship in 1986, I participated in a clinic that Ms. Berg gave on the short game. She delivered the most awe-inspiring display of bunker play I have ever seen, and her ability to entertain the crowd was pure joy to witness. Afterwards, I introduced myself as a fellow Minnesotan and those eyes of hers lit up and she fell into a keen discussion of state politics!

For many of us golf isn’t just a sport but a lifestyle. My way of life has always been dictated around the next tee-time. Many of those times have been across the U.S. and even abroad, where I played on the Women’s European Golf Tour. My playing partners have included U.S. Open Champions, State Champions, and memorable club golfers. Lady fortune is really smiling on athletics for women right now. The stars of the LPGA travel to tournaments in style, land lucrative endorsement contracts, and are displayed prominently in the media. What a change from 50 years ago where the ladies caravanned to the next event and relied on the generosity of host families for lodging. How exciting this upcoming year will be with the Women’s U.S. Open being played at Interlachen! I anticipate that this years Open will be a remarkable contest between Ochoa, Sorenstam, and a few other young women who have been enthralling us with their prowess.

In the spring we look forward to walking the fairways in the company of old friends and new acquaintances. As the season progresses, Gerald McCullagh and I look forward to discussing all things golf with you. We will give you a unique perspective of golf based on our different journeys that led us to our shared profession as golf professionals.

- Dee Forsberg

Masters Week and the Eye of the Tiger

Masters week is upon us. It brings such fond memories for when I drove down Magnolia Lane in the company of my great friend and golf student Tim Herron for his first Masters appearance as a professional golfer.

To understand the importance of this for me, I would like to take you back to my childhood in Ireland. Growing up as a boy in Belfast at my Shandon Park Golf Club, I saw the members congregate around the television with total excitement to watch the start of this prestigious event.

Everyone had his favorites and discussions would go back and forth in time between current and past champions. Wagers would be placed and the Guinness would flow from the taps, as everyone waited in anticipation for the tournament to commence.

Back in the day, my favorite was “The Matador,” the great Spaniard Seve Ballesteros. He played that course with such creativity and flair, exciting his galleries with recovery shots that were beyond imagination.

My first experience playing Augusta was at the invitation of the late Gordon Ritz, along with our mutual friend the late Duncan MacMillan and the flamboyant New York Irishman, John Bannon. I had the experience of a lifetime! Lodging at the clubhouse under the infamous “Crows Nest,” I awoke at 5 a.m. and witnessed a misty morning sunrise over the first tee.

The mists had dissipated by our tee time and standing on the first tee, Mr. Bannon looked at me and said, “Gerald, there are those of us who are Irish, and those who would love to be Irishmen today!” 

The 2007 Masters was a memorable one for me. Two events that stick in my mind are my conversation with the great South African, Gary Player, and getting caught in Tiger Woods’ stare.

Walking inside the ropes with Tim Herron during his practice round, I looked over at the ninth green and there was Gary Player putting. I told Tim I would be back in a minute and strode over to Mr. Player where I said to him, “We have a wonderful friend in common.” To which he replied, “Who would that be?” “Harold Middleton,” I said. His eyes lit up and he asked me how I knew him. Middleton taught me to play as a young boy at Shandon Park Golf Club. He and Gary Player had traveled together as young touring pros in South Africa.

Later that day, I was on the practice green and knelt down to watch Tim’s putting stroke. After retrieving three perfect putts out of the hole, I stood up and found myself in Tiger’s eye line. His gaze wasn’t on me per se, but focused intently on whatever his objective was for his practice session.
It occurred to me after witnessing his focus firsthand that this is the reason he is the perfect golfer and so dominant in this sport—and the reason Masters week is a treat for the golfer and the non-golfer alike. His gaze was simply a reflection of his dedication and passion for winning. 

- Gerald McCullagh