Apologies for the radio silence – life's been a tornado, tossing me here and there, much like my golf balls on the course. Don't fret, for today I'm back with tales that'll make you chuckle and shake your head in that special mixture of empathy and amusement.
Time, dear friends, has been a fickle beast. It's been scarce, tougher to catch than a greased squirrel on espresso. Yet, I'm committed to my family-first philosophy, a stance I've fortified with rules sturdier than a squirrel-proof birdfeeder. No stealing precious moments from the clan, even if it means my path to golfing greatness winds like a labyrinth.
Fast forward to a trip to Kansas City – a family tradition to cap off the summer in style. It's a city that knows how to tempt you with mouthwatering food (Joe's, I salute you) and the allure of shenanigans aplenty. Amidst the plaza's grandeur, we feasted, we shopped, and lo and behold, we ended up at TopGolf in nearby Overland Park. I mean, who could resist, right?
Ah, TopGolf – that neon-lit paradise where my family and I converged for a little golfing revelry. Picture this: me, the head honcho of hacking, my beautiful wife, and our crazy teenage daughters who've yet to fully grasp the gravity of the golfing curse. TopGolf isn't exactly a golf course, but hey, it's better than nothing!
Amidst the flashy screens and fairway targets, we swung, we laughed, and we swung some more. Two hours of TopGolf utopia, where my swing got the workout it so desperately needed and my family continued their journey down the rabbit hole of this beautiful, yet frustrating sport. I even caught myself pondering golf lessons for the girls, as I envisioned them as mini-Michelle Wies tearing crushing the spirits of their on-course opponents.
All in all, it was a great trip to KC.
Fast-forward to the grand finale of this round-up: I squeezed in 9-holes at Country Drive golf course in Ashland, NE. An opportunity like a unicorn sighting – rare but oh so magical. I was able to link up with three of my buddies for this quick round. Henri P. and Dr. Z joined me, along with another good friend I haven't mentioned yet on this journey...we'll call him Columbo. After a quick range session and a trip to the bar to load up on some drinks and treats for the cart, we were off.
It was me, the fairway, and the lurking ghosts of bad swings past. And what a mixed bag it turned out to be! Off the tee, I channeled the spirit of a seasoned pro, but my short game? Ha, that's a different tale altogether. It had gone AWOL, leaving me perplexed and muttering about golf's cruel sense of humor.
However, let it be known that I danced with par twice and hobnobbed with bogeys like they were old pals. Four fairways felt like a small victory in itself, the ball-striking gods occasionally grinning down at me. The scoreboard blinked at me with a 47, not too shabby and right in line with my aspirations. The math wizards behind the GHIN curtain then waved their wands, and (combined with another recent 9-hole score of 47) voila – an overall score of 94. I did it, friends. I broke the infamous 100 barrier (kind of), a milestone achieved.
But here's where the tale takes a wicked twist – the handicapping overlords, fueled by the dark arts of slope ratings, threw a curveball. A 3-stroke increase to my handicap. So here I stand, handicap perched at 25.2.
But fear not, dear readers, for the journey goes on, the laughs keep rolling, and my golf clubs remain my steadfast companions in this delightful dance of absurdity. Until next time, keep those swings wild and your sense of humor intact. After all, it's not just golf – it's the misadventures that make it memorable.
Current handicap: 25.2