Where Have You Gone Joe Dimagio ....

I'm Back and I'm Energized to bring you a Better and Bigger Blog than ever Before ..... KUDOS to Captain Rich .... check the prior blog --- Rich not only captured the overnights in the Parking Lot leading up to our registration -- but also has introduced Colored Pictures ..... which brings 'words to life' and very helpful to our small but growing illiterate readership who have been asking for PICTURES. Thanks Captain!

It was a challenging Winter --- fraught with intrigue and challenges. For instance - unknown to us 'gymers' .... we walked into the spin room one morning - 5 am - to learn that overnight 5 new bikes were added -- and placed in the front of a small room - now containing 32 spin bikes .... crammed in a room not nearly large enough. There were the usual 4 of us who went to save our bikes - only to be confronted by an ethical dilemma. None of us were slated to get one of the new bikes - if we wanted to keep to our self-designated spots. Did we re-arrange the bikes --- so we would benefit by having the new bikes? Did we accept that unless we wanted to change our seats, someone else would get the brand new, shiny bikes? A split second decision needed to be made --- before others would come into the room. We are a group comprised of a social worker, an accountant, a teacher and a businessman.

We did a survey of our readership over the winter and an overwhelming percentage of respondents indicated that they liked the audience participation part of the blog best..... and since I live to satisfy the requests of my loyal following - I ask you --- what did we do at 5 am in the spin room that day we discovered the new bikes? and what would you deem the 'right thing to do?' This was brought to the ethics committee of this blog and I'll share their response in our next blog.

and then there was Opening Week-End --- which was scheduled for last week .... but nature had a mind of her own and this area was devestated by a NorEaster that delayed the opening. Just one week earlier - the course was under 2 ft. of snow. So imagine how delighted Neil (our newest member of the band) and I were when we broke out the clubs and played a quick 18 holes (at Sprain) this past Sunday. (remember Rich's pictures of Saxon Woods -- we figure we may get to play it sometime in July.) We picked up as though we never took a hiatus --- far more good shots than bad .... The weather was ideal --- sunny in the 60's .... course was in unbelieveable shape --- green, clear of debris, and not very wet.

and most importantly -- what was re-enforced was that the values of life are practiced on the golf course daily. There is a respect for rules - while maintaining a certain degree of flexibility in how they are interpretted. There is an honest desire to see your fellow golfer (human being) succeed, you help each other out (ie: looking for each other's lost golf balls) ---- even strangers become friends when you meet for the first time at the tee box. There is always the opportunity to do better and your success can change from shot to shot - so one never gets too cocky on the course. Everyone gets a turn and everyone is patient. No-one mocks you for making a bad shot - while everyone praises you for a good effort. At the end of the round - no-one really cares if you did well - or not .... people judge themselves on their own individual performance. If only more people played golf - this world would be a better place.

So now that we're back .... we need to hear from you ... I'm in negotiations with some major companies who are looking for a new golf 'idol' to back .... their previous star had some personal issues that necessitated them disassociating with him.

Another new component of the blog that you asked for was 'birthday shoutouts' .... so in Feb and March we have shouts going to Jill, Sam, Irene/Rena, Jenna, Judi and Neil .... for a combined total of 368 years ... anyone who can break this out will win an autographed picture of yours truly as I emerged from this New Year's day swim in the Sound. For those whose birthdays were celebrated -- in the words of the poet Dylan Thomas -- "May You Stay Forever Young."

Peace out --- (I've decided no more 'cute nicknames like Bud o Chipster, no more making up names - like Bob or Steve ..... I'm going to use the name that was given to me at birth ... )

MAX

It all begins in the Parking lot

Another year, and another parking lot adventure. This year as in previous years we performed the parking lot sleepover to get our tee time. This is not your average slumber party, but a carefully orchestrated tag team event in which a constant vigil occurs in the Saxon Woods parking lot. This year we were joined by three new participants. Jill started us off on Thursday morning giving up some of her work time to hold onto a precious spot on line. Neil sent Ed in his place to maintain the flow. Finally, Ben Lew did the final leg of the relay and was there asleep in the parking lot when Bernie arrived to claim our prize. Here are some photos capturing the scene


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Whereas this situation was similar to last year, the same cannot be said for the course. Saxon Woods is undergoing major renovation to fix the drainage and generally improve the course. Here are some more photos of the changes to the course. The first is hole number 3 where the stream that runs along the right side as been significantly widened. This scene is looking from the bottom of the green back toward the fairway






This change was followed with one that will make the course slightly easier. On the 4th hole they have cleared away most of the trees on the left hand side. Les in particular will like this change, because he seemed to frequent the woods on the left side. Now he and other will be able to hit our from that area. Here is a picture of the new cleaned out area looking from the fairway.

The next change is the most radical and some might say puzzling. The 6th hole which used to be one of the easiest holes on the course is now being changed to one of the most challenging. They have cleared out the entire right side of the hole and elevated the green to a huge hill, which invites you to miss and have the ball roll down to your feet. We expect some high scores on this hole. In addition to this change, they have moved the tee box for the next hole over about 20 yards making it slightly easier. Here are some pictures, that don't really do the scene justice.

Another change occurs on the 13th and 14th holes (and to some extent the 8th). The stream that runs along the 13th hole has been significantly widened. This was the scene of a previous encounter where the hand cart ended up in the marshy swamp. It is not longer a marshy swamp but is now a full fledged water hazard. Here it is, picture taken while standing on the bridge.

The final pictures show the 11th hole where again they have taken an ugly marsh and turned into an attractive, but imposing water hazard. As Barry observed, it seems like to solve the water problem on the course, they have added more legitimate water to the course. Who would have imagined that was the solution to the problem. Here are 2 photos looking from the 11th green.

The course is more challenging, but the question remains "Will it be ready by opening day, April 11th?" Stay tuned.