Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2014 - 35

(punch shots
)
( The President's Desk
Making the Most
of Our Short-butSweet
Summer
By Ken Gerzsenyi
M
y wife and I had an amazing opportunity this
spring to participate in Madden's 85th season
opener. Those folks sure know how to
tee off a golf season-bagpipes included. We played in a
hickory stick tournament, with authentic clubs that were
80 to 100 years old. If you ever think you've got this game
figured out, try using hickory sticks. They're like butter
knifes with shafts attached and have a very small sweet
spot. We were impressed with the great facility, outstanding
staff and entire kickoff weekend.
Your membership in the MGA offers
all sorts of chances like this to play golf.
If you are interested in trying tournament
golf, check out an MGA championship
or an event put on by one of
our allied associations-the MWGA,
MWPGA or MPGA.
There are opportunities to tee it up
The biggest challenge will be
finding the time for all of the
opportunities to play.
during the week or on the weekend.
There are gross events, net events and
team events, played in a variety of formats,
from stroke play, match play, best ball and four-ball
to Stableford and foursomes.
You might prefer golfing with your buddies, your weekly
league or in local tournaments-like a parent-child
event, a fundraiser for your favorite charity, or scrambles,
shambles, shortstops, shootouts, big cups and more. How
about a golf trip with other golf enthusiasts? Or make
time for the MGA Associate Member Days, which are
hosted by some of the most notable golf clubs around the
state. Sign up your regular foursome and take your game
on the road.
If you're older than 55 (50 for women), there is the
MGA Senior Tour. Those old duffers haven't lost their
competitive edge, but I can say from personal experience
that it's always a great time. You play the best you can and
then share stories with the other players over a beverage
or two-looking forward to your next round together.
The biggest challenge will be finding the time for all of
the opportunities to play in our short-but-sweet summer.
By the time you're reading this, entries for the U.S. Amateur
Public Links will be closed-and for the last time.
A memorable era in public golf ends, as 2014 marks the
final year of the national Public Links. If you entered, I
wish you luck in making it to the finals in Kansas. You
could follow in the footsteps of great Minnesota golfers.
Our first national golf champion, Les Bolstad, won the
Public Links in 1926. Bob Clark (1940) and Jim Sorenson
(1985) followed, and more recently, Plymouth's Kyle
Beversdorf advanced to the semi-finals in Utah in 2012.
As one door closes another one opens. The USGA has
created a national four-ball championship for men and
women; sectional qualifying is set for StoneRidge Golf
Club in September. More opportunities to golf.
No matter what the golf season means to you, make it
mean something special.
I'll see you on the links.
www.mngolf.org
Summer 2014 MINNESOTAGOLFER
33
PHOTO BY PAUL MARKERT
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2014
