It's a Cruel Game - But It's a Great Game

Don Grose
I should be watching the hockey game right now..My
Oilers lives are hanging tenuously by a "Must Win"
thread...But at least for the next few minutes they'll
have to do it on their own.
Thought number one...Played golf last Thursday at
Granite Springs in a scramble - a charity event for
the Canadian Paraplegic Association. It was miserable,
cold and damp...but the presenting sponsors, Investors
Group, raised another $ 15,500 for CPA and everyone
seemed to have a great time despite the weather.
Kudos to the team from Investors for another sterling
performance in hosting the event...Bravo to Granite
Springs for once again doing a bangup job in very
strained conditions - and my utmost respect and
admiration to Lockie Rutt and the folks at CPA for
the work they do...very special people all and I consider it my privilege to be invited to participate
each year.
Still with golf...Lord what a tough game...another
year another first round defeat in the club match play
event...and I was up for this one ! The last couple of
years my enthusiasm for competition had in fact diminished a little - but I had myself psyched for
my battle with " Remax Rob."It was a good match although neither of us was particularly brilliant.
In the end - it's hard to keep up with the long
ball and my own lack of consistency was the
determining factor...Good luck Rob...( Basta...just
kidding..I'm not really bitter ).
Nipped over to PEI last week...Good Gawd but everything
looked lush and wonderful...as opposed to water logged
and grey. The sun and shining. It was warm. Didn't play
golf, but did some interesting interviews that will
be airing on the Golf Shop in the weeks ahead.
Yesterday, I had the tremendous pleasure of meeting
and having a game of golf with, singer, songwriter,
and all around good fella, Bruce Guthro...Mike DeYoung
at Glen Arbour was as always, very gracious as host,
and we managed to get to the putting green
on 18 before they blew the horn to get everyone off
the course due to threat of lightening. Bruce as
those who listen to the show will find out , is a
very likeable guy - he and Rick McGuiness make a
great couple of guys to play golf with..Bruce has a
new album coming out---go to his website for a
preview.
Now to the PGA Tour...Go Tiger ! This may be the US
Open...but it also may be the first time since he
started his pro career that Tiger Woods should play
under zero pressure.First, as Tiger he has nothing to
prove..and please don't misunderstand what
I'm about to write but he will not be playing, concerned that his Dad could be disappointed...He knows
that his Dad passed away, well aware that his son is
the best golfer this planet has ever seen. Secondly,
Tiger has just had nine weeks away from the game..
so if he's sloppy, it's rust and that's to be understood and no big deal...and maybe I'm wrong
but Tiger seems very relaxed..more relaxed and at
peace with himself than I have ever seen. It's in
his deportment, his smile, his comments to reporters
and his eyes. There is a tranquil quality or air
surrounding him that I think is unmistakable. And I
think it should scare the tar out of Lefty, Ratief,
Ernie and anyone else. I would not be at all surprised
if Tiger goes flag hunting and performs like a man
possessed, unlike anything else we've ever seen.
Phil Mickelson will finish the year without another
major victory.
Jack and Tom Watson on the Island next week - should
be quite a show...good luck to the organizers !
Til next time..hittem long and hittem straight.
Don