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End of the Season


My last round of the year was played Wednesday, 12/7/2016.  It wasn’t exactly perfect weather with a high of 37˚ (f) and a 14 mph breeze.  Still, it was sunny and I have played in much worse conditions.  I tend to tell myself that if we had this weather in January or February, we would all be out running around in shorts. It was definitely chilly at the outset but after walking the first three or four holes it was very comfortable.  

Living in the north central part of the USA tends to influence what is considered “cold.”  Anything above 32˚ with some sun and/or little wind isn’t really cold.  Cold is when the snow squeaks as you walk and the mucus in your nose freezes.  My parents were both natives of the Midwest but once they moved south to Sarasota, FL, their perception of “cold” shifted.  I had to smile when my parents complained that it was too cold to play on days that were cloudy, 58 degrees and a bit breezy. 

Weather played a part the year my father and I won the Member-Guest at his club.  We had one of our scheduled matches in the late afternoon against a couple of decent players.  It was cool, cloudy & breezy; we expected a tough fight.  As soon as our opponents rolled up, I knew we had the match in the bag.  They were wearing ski hats, parkas and looked very unhappy to be outside.  We beat them like a drum. 

After Wednesday’s round, I took my clubs to the basement and cleaned out my car of all the collected golf paraphernalia (rain gloves, extra shoes, extra socks, rain suit, etc.).  We received a dusting of snow Thursday and then were hammered this past weekend with 11 inches.  That pretty much dashed any hopes of a warming trend extending the season. 

For my own amusement, I typically write up a summary of the season just completed.  There is often a theme or big event during the year which serves as the basis for the entry in my personal golf journal.  One year it was the trip to Scotland, another my 2nd ace, etc.  This year I stole the title from an earlier blog posting, “The Eagle Has Landed.”  My four eagle hole-outs this year certainly made 2016 different. 

At some point this month I will go to the basement and clean up everything, replace worn spikes and grips, toss out the half eaten granola bar and just generally make the equipment ready in case we take a trip south before March.  With a new golf bag about to be delivered (Sun Mountain 2 Five), the clubs will be officially transferred to their new home sometime this month.  Then, like Punxsutawney Phil, I will settle in for the Winter and await the moment I re-emerge as a golfer in the Spring.

11 Comments


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CarlSpackler

Posted

There is definitely a different standard for cold down here in Florida. Last Friday, it dipped down into the 40s with a high in the low 60s. People were breaking out their heavy coats while I am wearing a light half sleeve jacket. Everyone says that I will adapt over the next few years. After 40 some years of living in Ohio, I find that hard to believe, but time will tell. 

  • Upvote 1
dennyjones

Posted (edited)

I have a cousin that lives in Tampa (transfer from Michigan) and she has adapted to FL weather.   40º is very cold to her.   She hates snow.   

Edited by dennyjones
  • Upvote 1
bkuehn1952

Posted

Yes, I think "cold" is relative and we do get used to our surroundings.  Some day Carl, you will wonder how you ever managed to operate in 40 degree weather.

 

Frankly, I would love to get used to 70+ degrees in Winter!  Jealous.

CarlSpackler

Posted

13 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

Yes, I think "cold" is relative and we do get used to our surroundings.  Some day Carl, you will wonder how you ever managed to operate in 40 degree weather.

Frankly, I would love to get used to 70+ degrees in Winter!  Jealous.

It's actually been running about 10* above normal. It was 85 or so yesterday. Oddly, I think my brain is still in Ohio mode since I've only played once over the last few weeks, but then again, I've been busy putting up decorations. Wife is gonna be gone this weekend, so I might be getting 2-3 rounds in. >=]

Gator Hazard

Posted

I have been in Tampa for six years after living in Chicago for ten. I didn't think it would happen but cold has changed a little bit for me. Cold in general has never really bothered me, I'll swim in a 65 degree pool, but over time the blood does thin out a bit. Has yet to be too cold for me to golf in Tampa and I fully expect to wear golf shirt and shorts at Eagle Creek later this month if dress code allows. It's Florida!

  • Upvote 2
CarlSpackler

Posted

11 minutes ago, Gator Hazard said:

I have been in Tampa for six years after living in Chicago for ten. I didn't think it would happen but cold has changed a little bit for me. Cold in general has never really bothered me, I'll swim in a 65 degree pool, but over time the blood does thin out a bit. Has yet to be too cold for me to golf in Tampa and I fully expect to wear golf shirt and shorts at Eagle Creek later this month if dress code allows. It's Florida!

I was going to wear a speedo, but it looks like that would not conform to the dress code. :-P

Gator Hazard

Posted

32 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

I was going to wear a speedo, but it looks like that would not conform to the dress code. :-P

Well that is just a downer. There is always the previously discussed golf mini skirt option (and yes, we will let you play from the red tees if you wear it).....

bkuehn1952

Posted

58 minutes ago, Gator Hazard said:

... golf mini skirt option...

It's called a KILT, laddie, an effing KILT!!  ;-)

  • Upvote 1
Gator Hazard

Posted

8 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

It's called a KILT, laddie, an effing KILT!!  ;-)

Not what I had in mind isn't. :-P  But this brings up an important question, so thank you @bkuehn1952:  has there ever been a TST Kilt outing? And if not, why not?

Kalnoky

Posted

I also found a couple of chewy granola bars in my bag recently. I see I'm not the only one who does this. 

bkuehn1952

Posted

I need to amend this blog post.  I played on 12/31/2016, for the official last round of 2016. Actually played 27 holes.  Nice exclamation point to a decent season.

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