EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

BY JOCK MACKENZIE –Twice voted one of 50 best radio sports broadcasters in the United States.

A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become and still gently allows you to grow.

The day that Jim Canfield worked his heart out to become the first Mayor of Palm Coast that tag above fit him perfectly and it still does even though he has been out of office for more years than I can count.

His days now are enjoying this wonderful game of golf at Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll, otherwise known as the Grand Club. And if you think he's an easy target, haul out your wallet and say good by to what's in it.

I asked him recently if he would make a return to office one more time and he responded in a single word. “No”. Yet, there is a lot of City Hall in his heart.

I can tell that because it's easy to read of his appearances there to assist in one way or another.

What most people have no way of knowing but as a resident of Staten Island he was born an orphan and most of his youthful years in a Foster Home. Yet he went on to earn his PHD and earned the title of Doctorate. In the years when he worked his heart out to become the first ever Mayor of Palm Coast he never once spoke of those tough early years. I've known him since 1995, helped him to make speeches at a radio station, played golf with him, voted for him with all my heart along with the hundreds I pleaded to do the same. Only within this week when I wanted to write about his golf and governing ability did I learn of the facts I just stated. Imagine, I've known Jim Canfield for 18 years and only now did I learn from the outside of the marvelous man this former two-time Mayor really was and is to this day.

But let's get down to the basics and that spells golf. He's a golfer and a good one. Along with his best pal, Jake Jacoby, they can sweep away whatever stands in their way. A week ago Jacoby, playing with Canfield and two others, nailed the Pine Lakes Course with a stunning round of 35 on the first nine holes and the rest was easy.

But the real truth of Canfield and Jacoby is that they are the two of the nicest people on the face of this earth, golf or no golf.

Count me as No. 1 on the list of people who are thankful that Staten Island let them leave to live in Florida.

And after what I told you a little about about two of the Staten Island people and now firmly in Palm Coast, Florida I'm hoping you'll bang the drums for another Golf Hall of Fame affair because I'll never know anyone anywhere more deserving for a packed house in Palm Coast than the pair of Jim Canfield and Jake Jacoby.

GRAND RESERVE

This wonderful golf layout just off Route One and a bit short of Bunnell, continues to grow by leaps and pounds. Rain or no rain, it doesn't matter, golfers are flocking to this18-Hole beauty.

Call Bryan Hill who represents Capstone golf and he'll provide all you need to know about tee times and all else that makes your golf day perfect.

Mike Pullen, an Alabama grad and a huge football fan, is the major cog there along with other courses on the Eastern Seaboard and a terrific guy to boot. What I'm saying is that people in play like Ray and Roger Epperson and Steve Spree, good golfers all, think it's a nifty place to play this game and this person, one enjoying many years on those links, fully agrees.

GOLF USA

This popular golf shop for some five years here in Palm Coast, FL, is about to make sweeping changes and it all could happen within two weeks.

As owner David Bonyak explains, “Over the next few weeks we will be cleaning out most inventory at reduced prices. If you are capable please come and take advantage of this cleansing. You will get some great deals.”

Is Golf USA staying at their regular location? Yes they are. They are even bringing in new equipment while concentrating on, as Bosnyak says, to better serve all customers.

The new model? Provide the best club making in the area. Ted Baker has been here over 20 years providing this service and will continue.

Having personally knowing him over that span of time, I'm among those who agree fully. The guy is not just good, he's the best from here to the lowest tip of Florida.

Bosnyak says: “We will carry the essentials of golf for you, gloves, tees, balls, shoes, bags, etc. and order any product for you that they may not have in the store.”

So, don't wait. You have less than two weeks to swing into the best golf equipment in the Eastern Seaboard at sensationally low prices.

Golf USA is the store in Palm Coast and the prices sensational because they are cleaning house in preparation to an all new Golf USA at the same location.

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

EASTERN GOLF, FLORIDA TO NEW ENGLAND

BY JOCK MACKENZIE – Four Times voted Best Radio
Broadcaster including twice voted one of 50 best in the
United States.



Thousands of us are enjoying the thrill of a golf hole-in-one.
Some of the best golfers can boast of two, three, four and more.
But there's something special about that first one even though it may prove to be the only one most of us will ever enjoy. It will be precious when we accomplish that feat and it will remain next to our hearts for life. Sure, the 2^nd or 3^rd accomplishment will be great but there is nothing, absolutely nothing that beats the joy of your first and only hole in one.
We place the reminder in a prominent house spot so when the golf day had us down for the day we can pick it back up and think happily of that time when we and friends shouted, leaped with joy and took home with us that one time when we could say: “My gosh, I just had a hole-in one!”
Of course there are thousands who wonder if theirs will ever come. But when they do, and they will, the most precious time of life will spread it's wings in our favor.
It will be that fascinating time when they and playing partners can jump and holler with joy because of an event that is extra special in our life. I would like to say it would happen again and again but as one who sits back happily enjoying that one and lonely time when the little white ball actually went into the hole with glorious joy, down deep we one day will realize this Ace will be our first and only such event in years and years of that wonderful game titled “Golf.”



John Maino, for instance, smacked a recent ace at the beautiful Palm Coast Golf Course in Pine Lakes from 155 yards out while using a No. 3 Hybrid. But was the thrill taken from him when noting that this classic was his 3^rd career ace? I think not. To Maino each one is special and I'll wager there are more in the bank just waiting to burst out.
The one that really got me is Bryan Hill who zapped the No. 4 hole at Grand Reserve on Hole Number 4 from 118 yards out. He never expected it, never dreamed it would happen and the last I knew was smiling like a new born for three straight days.
Hill runs the show at Grand Reserve each Monday through Friday and then gets a little relief to play golf on either Saturday or Sunday and perhaps on both days.
His friends told me he was smiling, laughing and full of that six-foot- four height every hour of the day. I spent a short time with him on the 3^rd day following his special accomplishment and they were right. Personally? I don't think he'll lose that hole-in-one smile for a year to come and maybe more.
With Hill at the time of this special event of his first Ace was Pete Field and Coleman Coy.
By the way, Hill used a sand wedge to accomplish that very special moment.
So, if you reside elsewhere, come on down to Palm Coast, FL for even a week or five more and you'll enjoy golf like few others anywhere. Maybe, just maybe, there's a hole-in-one waiting for you to come.
We have golf courses here that will test every minute of your skill, courses you will love playing.
You can play this wonderful game of golf along side the ocean or at that beautiful 18-holes named Grand Haven. Again, you'll view the lead to the ocean and watch the private boats coming in and going out. Special is not enough to describe how terrific Grand Haven is.
Then there are special golf courses like The Grand Club and Cypress Knoll. I had the honor one day of apologizing to a man and his wife from Montreal for slowing them down during 18-holes. Still in their golf cart they responded, “Don't apologize for being in our way. We have played several courses here during our vacation and this is our first at Pine Lakes and the best course of all. We think this course is so great we will be back again and again and again when we return for vacation next year.”
So, come and enjoy. Whether it be Coventry, Pine Lakes, Cypress Knoll, Grand Reserve, Grand Haven, Palm Harbor or any of the gorgeous ocean courses you'll enjoy golf this deep like no other in the good old USA.
Come here to Palm Coast. You will have struck the best deal in all of American golf!
From time to time I've read writings about getting older especially in golf. But what other sport do you know that allows you to play from youth to 90 years of age? And to enjoy it week after week!
There are times when I can sock the ball like days of yore. Then much of the time that gift seems to filter from the ends of my golf club. That's the breaks. I'm happy I can still hit the golf ball short or long. Admittedly, though, that “long” thought is too often just a dream.
As I've aged, I have become nicer to myself, just grateful to be on the links, good bad or different. When I could fire away looking to break 80, I now fight to bust the number 100. But it's still fun, a ton of fun.
I have seen too many wonderful friends leave the golf world too soon because they fail to understand the great freedom that comes with aging. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But some of life is just as well forgotten.
Sure my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one? But that is just one more reason why the game of golf is so important.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves. Yet, that's why golf lasts so long and is so wonderful for people like me.
You know what I like the most? To be allowed to play golf at Pine, Cypress or Grand Reserve with good friends who perform as a team.
I find that showing up at the golf course, joining those formerly from New York or elsewhere on the course - and you may not believe this- but offering best wishes and welcome by others I do or do not know, all of us on hand to topple the other guy and win a buck or two on the way, is the answer with a ton of fun.
Do I like being old or older? Heck, does anyone? You can answer that question in your own heart. I like the career and success I've had but know that time has come and gone. What's important now is that friendships never come apart and each golf day becomes more and more special by the month.
Golf, my friends, is the answer, the game of golf and the people I play it with.
Some come to Pine Lakes otherwise know as the The Grand Club. Come to Grand Reserve and by all means, come to Cypress Knoll and play this exciting game we call golf. So, come on down. Come to Palm Coast, FL where golf will assure that life, indeed, will prove that friendships never come apart.

GOLF IN FLORIDA

GOLF IN FLORIDA

By Jock MacKenzie: Four Radio Broadcast honors including two as one of 50 best radio broadcasters in the United States.

I’ll never get over a good friend golfer telling me that he prefers play the Gary Player golf layout than all other courses here. That’s Cypress where Michael Tsouklaris does a terrific job treating everyone, like a favorite brother.

When I asked the golfer why this particular one he responded: “It has less bunkers than most other courses.” And by golly, the more I play, the more I search for answers he’s 100% per cent right.Now don’t get me wrong.  Palm Coast, the Dunes, Coventry, Grand Reserve, River Bend and more are special elements – very special in mine and other books.Wherever you reside, if you are planning a special golf trip from wherever, turn the book and take one hard look at what we have here. We in Palm Coast are lucky golfers in every regard.

If you are willing to meet one of the nicest and most efficient people of your life make a stop at Publix on, Belle Terre There you hopefully will come face to face with Pharmacist Dr. Anthony Rappa.Dr. Rapp is the Pharmacy manager but far more than that. He is a Professor at Florida State but gives two days of his life each week in Palm Coast for each of us who need his ability for one illness or another.

He is one of two twin bothers and a Doctor of Pharmacy but more important than that, he is one of the nicest and most caring and intelligent people you ever will be lucky to know.

My point is this: If you need pharmaceutical help, head for Publix at Bell Terre and call yourself all time lucky for knowing the most intelligent and nicest person you’ll ever be lucky to meet.  When you have a few free moments take a jaunt to Publix, walk up to the Pharmacy and say, “Thank you, Dr. Rappa, thank you being a blessing to those of us in Palm Coast.

Dr. Rappa may or may not be called a full scale doctor (and he is) but the day following my visit I went to play my favorite golf course, Pine Lakes, and shot the best score of the year! Doctor or not, Anthony Rappa is one special guy on or off the fields of our wonderful game.

There’s another golf course here that is getting far too little recognition although one of these days it will burst out with men and women clamoring to play.  It’s Grand Reserve, where the last time I played it was like being at a perfect picture show. The course is like a dream. It caters to both men and women equally, has ladies leagues on Monday and Friday, men’s league on Wednesday and regular play any time.

One thing I can assure you of: Grand Reserve is a legend in golf building and a dream to play. Go try me out and see for yourself. Some say it can be easier to play, others say “baloney”, some holes are just as tough as any golf course from Florida to New England. Whatever, it’s a beauty to have at our beck and call.

Come and play if only to see for yourself.

A story about Eric Gonzales & TV weatherman

GOLF IN FLORIDA
By Jock MacKenzie

How many out there in golf-land dream as youths that one day they will be an honest to goodness golf pro, play the game whenever they feel like it, sit back and tell the student what and what not he or she should be doing?
Let me tell you, the life of an honest to goodness golf pro doesn’t work that way.

I’m thinking now of Eric Gonzales who runs the pro list at the popular Cypress Knoll Course, known in this area of Florida as one of several under control by The Grand Club.
I watched Gonzales struggle to earn his ticket, or official golf pro as known in the trade, for at least five years and perhaps a few more months.

He did the full rout every one of his working days and then dashed home so he could read and absorb the requirements of becoming a P.G.A. Professional.
I would often think, how can this man do it? How can he work long hours at the golf course and then dash home to work his heart out in order to become an official P.G.A. member? Five years, remember, five years of personal torture as I viewed it.

But, by golly, he did it. It takes a touch of genius and some times courage to make things simple but courage is something that is well within the body of Eric Gonzales.
I was talking recently with a lady who was footing the teaching bill so her nephew could learn this amazing game of golf. She told me that it was becoming expensive after so many months and even years. It was suggested that the nephew had enough and it was time to call a halt. A drain on the money pocket was her concern.

“No”, said the nephew, “I want to stay with Eric!” It was her money but his desire and that won the contest.
This young man, and no, I don’t have his name at hand, found a dream as the way to play a wonderful game with a fabulous teacher and he wasn’t about to give it up.
Now tell me, what Aunt, Uncle, Mother, Dad or family member would cut the cord and leave this happy youngster out on a limb? Whenever I go to Grand Reserve for golf or conversation I talk with men who have young daughters, and I mean young like 10 and 11 years, who are downright the happiest golf partners on the face of this earth because of teaching by Eric Gonzales.

So, you see, if Eric Gonzales had not given five years of his soul and countless hours on the range many other young men and women would never have the opportunity or success they now have. Yes, he’s well past the 5-year mark now but that matters not. What does matter is that Eric Gonzales has learned a touch of genius and sometimes courage to make things simpler. Do me a favor, please. When next you play Nine & Dine at Cypress, take a moment to walk over and say, “Thank you, Eric, for all you do.”

Nine & Dines has been a welcome golf addition for years. Others in this area have tried to run Nine & Dines of their own and every last one has failed. Not the one at Cypress. The plain truth is that Michael Tsouklaris, Director of Golf at The Grand Clubs, and Eric Gonzales have made Nine & Dine tops in the Florida market. 

YOUR BEST GOLF ON TAP

If you reside somewhere on the eastern side of the USA your best golf ever may be just a simple vacation away.
Palm Coast is the name of the game, a city of 77,000 people awaiting you as residents or vacationers to a city started and put in motion by ITT. They put the building of it from nothing, one that was a jungle that had to be torn apart.
But when all is said and done, we are talking golf here, beautiful golf courses and a huge bundle of them.
Start at the Grand Club with golf to test your best efforts from tee to green. One beautiful effort is Pine Lakes, the other Cypress Knoll, the first an Arnold Palmer creation, the second by Gary Player.

You also have a gorgeous beach shading the ocean water and top notch courses waiting for you to swing the clubs. ITT was first in building an Oceanside golf course and the numbers expanded from there, Coventry and a barrel more of beautiful golf courses all along the beach.
I’ll never forget the day that Jack Nicklaus came here, he was the builder of this sensational course and on the beach to celebrate the grand opening of this first course. We press were allowed to hammer him left and right . . . a question here and a question there . . . and he was a gentleman of not as the questions were answered politely and nicely.
Then it came time for the golf course itself, Nicklaus leading the way, as the official opening of this beautiful layout.
Officials, however, took hold of the microphone and went on for what seemed like hours. There was no stopping them. If an ITT official was present he was asked to speak. Nicklaus had enough. He hollered out: “That’s enough of the B.S. (I’m being nice here). We’re here to play golf and let’s go do it now. And thus, the deed was done, Nicklaus put on a golf show that had us applauding hole after hole.
At the earlier meeting with Nicklaus I sat with the weather man of the leading TV station then and now and out of Orlando. I told him that we don’t understand why all the Florida locations are included in his reports but not a view or word about Palm Coast.

“It’s there”, he said. I responded, “No it’s not.” And this argument went on for what seemed like a half hour, he was convinced that Palm Coast was included and I forcefully told him it wasn’t. We parted shortly after, he confident as lead weather man he new what was and was not there. I responded to every word relating that he was wrong.
I never heard from him again. But three days later for the first time in history there was Palm Coast shining brightly and it has been there ever since..

I’m relating this from long ago because I thought you had the right of knowing how Palm Coast had joined the big guys and that it came about fully because of this wonderful game of golf we play.Back to the golf courses you will enjoy here, a short ride to River Bend and you’ll be on one that delights. Another like this is Grand Reserve, somewhat new as openings go but simply said a darn nice enjoyable golf club to play any day of the week.

As famous golf teacher Craig Shankland wrote in his book many years ago, “When you analyze golf, you realize that its greatest pleasures are derived from diametrically opposite situations. One is the positive side, where you execute basics to achieve preplanned results. The other is the negative side, where the thrill results from overcoming forces that are constantly endeavoring to throw you off balance.”
Incidentally, the Shankland book, one I read often, sold for $3.95 per book and I doubt it could be found in the stores now.

So, come on down to Palm Coast, FL. What you’ll find here in a heartbeat is your best golf courses, a ton of wonderful people who enjoy being nice to you and a journey that just might be the one to start your route to lower scores.

Greatness is never given. You earn it!

GOLF IN FLORIDA
By Jock MacKenzie

GREATNESS IS NEVER GIVEN. YOU EARN IT

 Well into that theory is a golfer from Boynton Beach, FL who shoots his age routinely at 84! Bob Harris, according to the New York Times, has shot his age 893 times, an achievement he attributes partly to a rigorous exercise program. And my good gosh, I’ve been deservedly bragging about the golfer from Portland, Maine who shot into the 90’s even when reaching the count of 99!

We have our own golf star here in Palm Coast, FL with a population of 77,000 people and still growing in leaps and bounds. His name is Dick Perlman who has reached the age of high nineties while playing at the Grand Clubs Pine Lakes course with his wife Helen, who, by the way, is an attributed Golf Hall of Famer and swings the club as sweet as the best to hit the links, male or female. But most importantly, she is terrifically a nice person and all who have the good fortune of meeting her will tell you that in a heart beat. She’s a whiz at this game of golf and shows that quality every time out. That and other data provides the opportunity for me to shout the importance of women in golf. The numbers are growing in leaps and bounds and that’s reason one why golf course owners are shouting with glee. Right now women golfers in the membership are as important to them as good golfers will always be.
For example, me and my team partners stood by as we swung for pretty good distance only to view this lady going past us like a hot ride runner at the Daytona races.
So, no matter where you are – here in Florida, anywhere in New England, of course in California and wherever you care to name – you’ll find women a merging factor in this game of golf.

AS A RADIO BROADCASTER COVERING GOLF

 I’ll always remember as a radio broadcaster the assignment of covering a women’s tournament in the Keene, NH area. Most took the golf play of women in the Tournament as an also ran. But when I watched and broadcast the talent of these competitors, I was struck with admiration, and correctly so.
Another not so welcome affair was a 3-day tournament at a beautiful course in Dover, NH, one titled to this day as Cochecho Country Club.
I rushed to my radio station microphone to proclaim the victors. What I told the audience was by a man and his son, the latter lugging his Dad’s bag, after they came out of nowhere to win the Tournament despite a talented class field of golfers.
About four days later I received this well written letter from the winner saying he appreciated the publicity we gave them. “Just one problem he added, the “son” was my daughter! See, even a so called radio star is embarrassed.Frankly said, while playing the game I love so much at the popular Pine Golf layout, I would stop in awe at the ability and beautiful swings of ladies approaching the green. Frankly said, these ladies can play this game and play it well. So, the more of you of female persuasion who appear to play this wonderful game of golf the better every one of us is going to be. So, come on in ladies, we need more Helen Perlman’s and Deb Crowley’s wherever you are, from all of Florida, to New England, California, Texas and every State in this union.

RETURNING HOME FROM WAR

As I look back, at the age of 30 and returned from constant combat in the Pacific Theatre of War, I was asked to accept a free membership at a local and very popular golf course near a small town named Shelburne. I said no. I knew this came about because I was a radio sports broadcaster and this is what played in part a reason for the request.
Still, it was a stupid response on my part and I regret it to this day. Just think, in stead of being a sad hacker out on the green now I possibly could have become half way decent at golf and maybe even one of the top shooters.
So if someone asks you – male or female – to join their golf club as a member, jump at the offer so fast your shoes will tingle proudly every day of your life. Or, who knows, maybe like the golfer from Boynton Beach, you might shoot your age to a count of 84 at least 893 times!

GRAND RESERVE

Smooth as glass is a popular term but I really don’t know how else to describe this golf course. You could play it every day of the week and it would still be a great golf course, one you would marvel at consistently and day by day.
And, yes, it gets a lot of play, like women’s leagues on Monday and Friday, men on Wednesday and the rest a wonderful place to enjoy.
Mike Pullen, a master at making this golf course and others up and down the east coast better than most, is the Alabama graduate who has a very special touch for the benefit of we who love to play golf.
Yes, it’s a bit easier to score but what’s so wrong about that? Isn’t it fun to go out with clubs in hand and whack the little white or orange pill for a delightful ride, to shoot a game of 95 rather than a hundred?
Go try it. Grand Reserve is located just off Route 1 in the Palm Coast area and a short distance from the town of Bunnell.
One thing I know for sure. Go play it and the words I’ve just written will be yours to enjoy the week long.

GRAND HAVEN

Jack Nicklaus built this marvelous golf course on the river side of Palm Coast many years ago when ITT was in charge. There have been a couple of new ownerships since then but for some reason the quality of this golfing marvel just seems to get better and better.
Yes, it is private with a marvelous membership of the nicest people I will ever know in my life. After you meet members like Walt McRae, Hawley Rogers and Rick McArdle, just to name a few, you also will have the same impression.
McArdle, by the way, not only wrapped up another Club Championship this year, but he finds time to go to the schools and help their golf teams to be better. His son in law, by the way, is Ty Capps, the Nebraskan who is determined to make his mark as a full-fledged member of the every week golf tour.
One other thing about Grand Haven Golf Course: Watching Dane Winger and his golf lessons had me spellbound on the practice tee one day.
His tutoring was so impressive next to me that I forgot the golf balls in the pail at my feet and watched – without his knowing – every word he spoke and every movement he told the lady student what to do and what not to do. I’ve never had something like that happen before, my mouth shut in awe, my body frozen and the purpose of my reason there to hit golf balls before playing. Still, these were beautiful moments and I’ll not soon for get them even though the teacher prefers his name not be used. Hopefully, this one time I might be forgiven.
But I know I’ll never again have the honor of consistently viewing an expert at work, one who is absolutely the best in Florida golf and probably far beyond.

A COUPLE OF FREE MOMENTS

Many years ago in the mountains of Berlin, NH I was induced week after week to join a friend named Leo Cloutier for a baseball game. As I look back, it was probably the nicest thing to happen for me.
Cloutier was a sports writer for a local paper then went up the ladder to cover the game in top notch style.
From that, my pal Leo became the best friend of Ted Williams, the most talented baseball player I’ve seen in life, then and now. When Williams was given a special day at Fenway Park a brand new car was part of the many gifts. This famous baseball player then turned around to my friend Leo and gave him outright the auto he was driving at that time. That gives you the idea of how close in life the pair was.
Anyhow, whenever Leo wrote about Williams or anyone and everything else to be written he always closed with these words: “With malice towards none!” And that’s what I do for you now.

Come on down to Florida and enjoy the game of golf like no other – the sport of Pine Lakes, Cypress Knoll, Grand Haven, Grand Reserve or the golf courses near the ocean, Hammock Dunes, Coventry and more. Life in this part of Florida is special for us. So it will be for you. Try me out and see for yourself.
And as Leo might say: “Thanks for listening!”

Four members of the vaunted Sludgehammer Group getting ready to tee off

Four members of the vaunted Sludgehammer Group getting ready to tee off at Pine Lakes of the Grand Club in Palm Coast.Included and ready to swing the clubs with 12 other golfers are Jake Jacoby, Ken Danhoff, Stewart Manthey and Dennis Willerth.

The so-called Sludgehammers were originated in Staten Island NY and and are as popular today as they were back then. They schedule their golf play at both Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll, two popular golf layouts.

Pine Lakes was re-built by Arnold Palmer, Cypress Knoll by Gary Player. Former Mayor Jim Canfield is a popular leader of the entire Group.

Why is golf more important in our lives than any other sport?

GOLF IN FLORIDA
By Jock MacKenzie

Why is golf more important in our lives than any other sport? Because it is the only one in life that can be enjoyed through the ages of 80’s and 90’s!

Proof that is the golfer in Portland, Maine who played this marvelous game well into his 90’s, shooting scores around 85. While playing the terrific Hammock Dunes Course in Palm Coast at the invitation of the Florida area’s radio station owner, I brought this up for conversation somewhere around the 4th hole of that match. He replied: “That’s true. I know him.
I quickly asked why in the world he would know this golfer when he was busy with his radio stations in Florida.
He told me, “I go back to Maine every summer and know this golfer well. I’m a member of the same golf course. And yes, he is playing into his nineties now and hitting some great scores.”
As time took its course, the golfer approached the 100 year mark and finally gave up his beloved game. “But”, the radio station owner told me, “Now he goes to the bar at the Club every day!”
Time has taken away the golfer’s name but I and a ton of others will never forget the accomplishment of this golfer in the State of Maine.

If you want proof that golf is the only sport in all our lives that one can play seemingly forever just remember the accomplishment of this dedicated golfer from Maine. 

While age is a meaningless number, it is a fact that other enjoyable sports cash in at ages of 30 and maybe stretching it out to 40 but no more than that. So haul your golf bag to the nearest golf course and swing away – good, bad or mediocre. It could be the most impressive step of your life. Greatness, like the golfer from Maine, is never given. You earn it. And a quick step to the golf course with clubs in tow may provide the first step for you. Please don’t laugh when TV displays a five or six year old youngster swinging a golf club. He or she is on the way to a special success that I wish I could have had. And if you are 60, 70 or 80 years of age ready to call it quits, don’t. You’ll be amazed at the success you earned the hard way.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE
Bill O’Rourke, a golf group director of former law enforcement personnel, is a perfect example that age, his or mine, doesn’t mean a thing. O’Rourke heads up a group playing golf at two outstanding Florida golf courses – Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll – in Palm Coast, Florida. 

The group started back in 1985 at Matanzas by Lew Sipowicz – another unit of The Grand Club, one that present owners are attempting to restore in good playing condition.
So what’s so sensational about a group of men playing golf not affiliated with a group affiliation? They are reportedly at what is said to be latter age but they play twice a week with golf partners and only the Lord knows how many more times during the week on their own. On a local basis, if anyone is interested in joining O’Rourke’s group, please call Mike Tsouklaris at (386) 437-5807.
Meanwhile, congratulations Bill O’Rourke, something tells me your perseverance will have you on the golf course well into your 90’s just like the golfer from Portland, Maine.

Don’t give up the ship. Golf is a life saver all the way to 99. After that you’re on your own.Please remember this: Greatness is never given. You earn it! Playing this wonderful game into large numbers may have you taking the right step. In other more direct words: “Don’t give up the ship!”

GRAND RESERVE GOLF
It’s been nearly two weeks that a local group played the game together at Grand Reserve for the first time.
They were stunned at the excellent condition of this popular golf course just off Route 1 in the Palm Coast area and said it to all who would listen time and time again.
And you know what’s so amazing? They are still talking about it! They just can’t get over from that one time of play how good the day was because of the fantastic condition under their feet. The one problem was that the greens were so fast they couldn’t get the little white pellet into the hole with consistency.
Will they be back? You can bet most of them will be at the first group opportunity.

If you’re in the area for golf, call Bryan at 386-313-2966 for quotes and availability. But don’t miss this gorgeous golf course while here.

LASTLY
Come on to Florida and enjoy the golf time of your life by playing two sensational golf courses, Pine Lakes and Cypress Knoll.
Arnold Palmer built the Pine Lakes layout, Gary Player the fantastic Cypress layout. 

Always remember, coming to Florida and playing these beautiful golf courses as a man and wife from Montreal did, makes the perfect vacation. And they’ve got it in spades at Palm Coast and the Grand Club. Take it from this ancestral Scot, you won’t find better golf and more fun anywhere from New England to Florida by being here, maybe for vacation, and swinging the clubs with more fun and accuracy than anywhere else in the nation.
Like is often said on TV, “Come on down!”