Patrick's Blog

It’s that time of year again… the 2011 Stonehouse Golf Calendar is almost ready to roll out, so I thought I’d give you a peek.

January

Ritz Carlton Orlando #9

Those of you trapped in the deep, cold snowdrifts might appreciate a look at this Sunshine State standout.

February

PGA Village Golf Club – Ryder #18

It’s a 7,000-yard Fazio design that can make you feel like you’re in the beautiful Carolinas.

March

Old Head #12, Ireland

There’s nothing in the world like the rugged environment at Old Head.

April

Cruden Bay #4, Scotland

Old Tom Morris played here in 1899.  A purist’s delight.

May

Colonial #16

One of the granddaddies of Lone Star golf, Colonial has hosted many of the game’s greats since 1936.

June

Congressional Country Club #10

A spectacular course, home of next year’s U.S. Open Championship.

July

Royal St George’s Golf Club #6, England

The late author Ian Fleming’s club hosts the Open Championship for the 14^th time this year.

August

Atlanta Athletic Club #18

The PGA Championship visits the Atlanta area.  Full of Southern charm.

September

East Lake #18

The permanent home of the PGA Tour Championship and Bobby Jones’s home course… ‘nuf said.

October

TPC Summerlin #16

Fuzzy Zoeller helped design this layout… the perfect antidote to that first blast of winter.

November

Hudson National #18

If this image doesn’t make you want to swing a club, you ain’t alive. This one also gets the nod for the Calendar cover shot.

December

Sherwood Country Club #17, California

Got a yearning for golf in SoCal?  This is one of the best.

Pre-order your Calendar now. Perfect for gifting, birthdays, any old reason… you won’t be disappointed.

Best,
Patrick

Being here at Whistling Straits this week reminded me of this:  When you watch the pros play golf on TV, you see them extremely focused, unsmiling for the most part, almost mechanical in demeanor and movement.  In the words of Jack Nicklaus, the players are “…in the midst of 50,000 people, alone with their game.”

That’s why I enjoy going to practice rounds – that’s where I get to see the players as human beings, not just golf machines.   In practice rounds the players can loosen up to an extent that’s impossible when millions of dollars in prize money are on the line.  They smile, sign autographs, and joke with each other and with fans.

Practice rounds allow amateurs like me to observe the world’s best players hone their craft, too.  Often the pros put three, four, or even five balls in play on certain holes so they can test clubs, ball flight or swing techniques.  It’s amazing to watch these guys, even when they’re just taking it easy.

The televised tournaments may generate more drama, but practice rounds definitely generate more fun.  If you want to really enjoy a tournament, take in some practice rounds.  And by the way, if you do, bring a couple Stonehouse mini-prints with you – they’re perfect for autographs.

As 2009 draws to a close we’ve all got memories – good and bad – to file away.  No need to rehash the headlines here.

I hope yours are mostly the good variety, ones that make you smile.  As far as the others are concerned, well, I’ll just pass along something my granddad, a survivor of the Great Depression, told me:  “Nobody gets to choose what they remember, but you can always pick the memories you hold close.”

I’ve found that’s good advice.

In that spirit, and on behalf of everyone at Stonehouse, I want to thank you for your business, and wish every one of you a Happy Holiday Season, and a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Here’s to building a future of good memories…