GypsyLarry » Golf Courses

Tuesdays with Erin

larry — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:45:48 +0000

For the past three Tuesdays, I have foresaken Ken as a golf partner. Yes, he has been replaced by a younger, prettier, and better golfer. Erin has taken up the sport. And much like he other athletic pursuits, she’s a natural. When she applies the mechanics of my instruction, she outdrives me as well as hitting her fairway woods much better. We’re still trying to overcome that softball swing the the cocking of that left leg. But that will come in time and again she will outshine her competition as she has much of her young life. But I wanted to share a short review with my fellow linksters, much like I share campground reviews, if ever in the South Jersey area. The Pitman Country Club in Sewell, NJ is a public facility having a regulation 18 hole golf course, a practice putting green, a driving range, a full service clubhouse restaurant and bar that also provides excellent catering services. This original Alexandar Findlay design provides golfers of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy their round, and maybe even break 70, 80, 90 or 100 for the first time!. The layout is relatively short in overall distance and it is forgiving off the tee but it will challenge you with it’s smaller green complexes. The course is affordable to play with a variety of pricing options and you will always find it in good condition.

The other course we played was the Riverwinds in West Deptford, NJ. I was excited when Erin booked tee times here as I knew this course was place scenicly along the Delaware River, and owned by Ron Jaworski, former Eagle quarterback and now and ESPN analyst. I imagined with that name recognition we were in for a great round. Some months ago, combined families dined here as a post-baptismal feast was held after Xavier’s christening. We imagined the golf to be as good as the dining. Not so. Right off the bat, the carts were all gas-powered and noisy enough that any hint of conversation while riding was out of the question. Our cart felt and sounded as if the drive train were about to drop out at any moment, leaving us with only cold clarity. I asked the starter our remedy should our cart falter out in no man’s land once away from the first tee. He noted the clubhouse number on the steering wheel to call. Erin and I glanced at each other with rolled eyes. Our starter instructed us not to adhere to the rule of 90 degress but to actually drive on the fairways as much as possible. This was another first for me. Only once were we out and about did I understand why. The roughs were so parched and dying of thirst they were actually brown. The course was not well maintained at all, and with a lofty fee, this made for an even more distraught afternoon. I do have to say that holes 13 through 17 lie along the banks of the Delaware, and the cargo ships rolling in, the jets approaching landing, made the Philadelphia skyline look pristine and picturesque. However, this was the only highlight of the course. I could not honestly recommend this venue to a friend. Nevertheless, as the ad states, playing with my daughter was priceless and has made ” Tuesdays with Erin” an anticipated event.

Monday Bachelorhood

larry — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 02:10:27 +0000

Today begins first Monday bachelorhood. More on that later in the post. By now, we’re in full swing manning the Gnome Cafe during our stay at Lake In Wood Camping Resort. We ‘re working the Thursday 2 to 9 shift and then we roll right back in on Friday morning at 7 until 2 pm. Those back to backs take some getting used to. The knees and hips just don’t seem to be performing as they did a few years ago. On Saturday and Sunday we alternate weekends. One finds us working the 7 to 2 pm. shift and the alternate weekend we’re summoned for the 2 to 9 pm. stint. The work days go fast. There are always new campers to feed and meeting new people on a daily basis makes hovering over the grill more of a hobby than a chore. When we’re not behind the counter, we spend time on the links, playing golf on an average of 2 times a week. Hawk Valley Golf Course is under new management and they’ve done considerable improvements this year. Mowing more often allows me to find my ball much easier as I don’t always locate the fairways with each tee shot. I’m still walking my daily five however, I’ve discovered that I burn far more calories riding a bicycle than the walking in much less time. I’m giving the wheels a chance to prove their command over my waistline as opposed to the walking. We may just have found a way to save the knees and hips a bit longer. Robin’s bone on bone in the left knee is ready for another injection but the orthopedic group can’t get her in until the first week in August. So I don’t push her to get out there as Yellow Hill Road is just too steep and without a miniscus, it just adds to her discomfort. We’re finding we spend less time running around and sightseeing than we did last year. Perhaps it’s because we’ve made several more friends and much of the down time is spent cruising the park in our golf cart and espousing my bullshit to whomever will listen. I’ve done some portraits here in the resort and next week I’ve been commissioned to shoot some newlyweds. The word of mouth has given rise to my budding photographic career.

Oh, by the way we traded the Enclave this past week for a Chevy Avalanche. It feels good to be back in a truck once again. I must quit this fascination I have with purchasing vehicles. I counted them. This is the sixth one since we retired three years ago. Can I blame it on my arrested adolescence? I think not. Perhaps its my attention deficit disorder manifesting itself into high gear as I approach my seventh decade? Naw, I believe it’s because I’m never satisfied unless I have some quest to meet. Nevertheless, it’s damn fun, albeit an expensive penchant. And now to my bachelorhood. Robin began her second job today. That as baby-sitter grandmother. Carolyn had to go back to the office. There was no way “Momma G” was going to let her grandson go to day care. So she’s agreed to cover the duties a few days at the beginning of each week. Maternal grandma Pat, wil commandeer the other two days for the new mother as she reluctantly trudges off to work. I’ll retrieve Robin on Wednesday evening from Jersey in time to ‘nest’, prior to stationing ourselves at the cafe on Thursdays. This experiment will be good for all of us. A bonding will form with Robin and Xavier that shall be priceless. Her eyes light up and I can see her burst with pride when he smiles at her. It will also give her a chance to spend more time with both children across the Delaware. As for me, bachelorhood will give rise to mastering my mid irons, riding my bike, and spewing more bull amongst the campers.

Our Daily Bread

larry — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 03:21:03 +0000

I could have inundated you with daily minutae but chose not to bore you. I’ve been receiving my daily bread and trying to forgive those that have been trespassing my mental tolerance. The week has been filled with time spent at the putting green, practicing, practicing. Laundry here and there, walks through the park but mostly stopping to engage with neighbors with not only pleasantries but tales seasoned with exxagerations much like we all do. A few visits to the children, some holding and angel kisses for our new grandson, topped with a wonderful Easter celebration at the parents of our daughter-in-law. I’ve often wondered if there is a term for those people. Yes, they are in-laws to my son, and parents to his wife, but to us, what is the term? Is it outlaws? Surely not. They’re lovely people. If there is such a term, please inform me. Perhaps tomorrow I shall begin anew my photo essays on the life of the “common people”.

Sittin’ On A Dock of a Bay

larry — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 02:03:22 +0000

Today was errand day. Not really. There is no “day”. I wake up each morning and decide what I want to do. So every day is what I deem it for that particular time. But I did have to drop my bike off at the shop in Chiefland. It seems as if my back tire is nearing baldness. Funny thing there because the tire never had any hair. But Ryan comes down in two weeks to do Daytona Bike Week with me and I don’t want my ass end fishtailing all over Route 40. Robin and I spent the next three hours twisting and churning seldom used back muscles on the links at Chiefland Country Club and Golf Course. Now don’t go getting any ideas when you read that name. I’m the champion of the proletariat. Country clubbing is not my bag, but at $26 a round with cart, this wasn’t the coup de grace or a facsimile of Augusta National. We played just like we should have. Being that months have gone by since a club was choked by our collective paws, we vacillated between ‘not too bad’ and horrendous. But it felt good to smack that Titlest, soak up the sun, and watch Robin empty the cups with her new ball- retrieving putter. Upon our return home, back spasms that go hand in hand with the coming of spring put Robin in a lounge chair by the dock. I, in turn, decided to take a run down to the Dixie Mainline Road to see what the late afternoon sun was doing to the birding sanctuary. I wasn’t on that dock but a mere ten minutes when I decided this to be a bad idea. The bugs were biting as if I were their last meal. It wan’t the ‘no see-ums’ this time. I saw these bugs. They were big enough to carry table scraps. I thought about Otis Redding for a moment. Even he couldn’t have sat on the dock of this bay.

Body Inspections A Go

larry — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 12:27:03 +0000

The trip West boded well as body inspections proved that the change in diet has had meritorious effects. Blood work showed that cholesterol and triglycerides are in check. The teeth have been buffed and vacuumed. No cavities are in evidence, caps and crowns remain steadfast, and we are antsy with anticipation for the journey South. While there Robin was able to visit with her mom and one sister. I got to play golf with my sister, Lisa, albeit temperatures in the 40′s.Rohanna’s Golf Course opened after the morning frost has succumbed to a bit of sunlight. The gas powered carts overpowered the still of the morning but it was a good thing we chose not to walk. This course is much like playing on a roller coaster with the ups and downs coming with each hole. Not a rolling fairway to be seen here but nonetheless it was much better than not playing at all. We scampered back here though fearing that we had set the temperature too low in the RV and didn’t want to chance any damage . One last stop for Robin this coming Wednesday as she sees an orthopeadic surgeon. It seems that her knee has been giving her a great deal of discomfort. Yes, this is the same one she had the arthroscopy on last August. I’m not sure if accompanying me on my daily jaunts over hill and dale were of sound mind. Hopefully, an injection will suffice for the coming months. Neither of us want to continue the stay above the Mason-Dixon Line and we’re hoping a knee replacement isn’t in the mix as of yet. So here we sit, downsizing once again in preparation for our upcoming move. The offspring will be celebrating birthdays this week. Yes, they’re both November babies as they were definitely planned some three decades ago. Valentine’s Day gifts they were. Robin decided in early February, both in ’79 and then again in ’81, that she was ready for motherhood. So instead of chocolates wrapped in satin ruby boxes, the 14th was celebrated in an alternative manner. The planning couldn’t have been better if contemplated any other way.

On a Fixed Income

larry — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 02:22:01 +0000

Retirement welcomes a world full of changes, mostly good ones. But then there is the flip side of the coin, the dark and foreboding one. A case in point is living on a fixed income. You find yourself buying just the things you need. And the things you want, well, they just have to wait. When you’re mind’s eye lights on a perspective purchase you have to contemplate if it’s justifiable. Such as shoes. I’ve really been needing a pair of work shoes lately. My old ones are even growing things in them. But instead of going shopping for a new pair, we opted to play golf the other day. Yes, it would be our second round this week, but priorities need to remain in perspective. So off we went to The Hawk for another eighteen. Shoes would have to wait. We returned back to the RV in time to walk Brutus and get a quick shower. Thursday is the day all the workampers head off to a different restaurant for some camaraderie and laughs. This has been a great venue to grow closer to our co-workers each week. The new relationships we’re cultivating are quenching my thirst of engaging people. Upon our return we just chilled by the campfire with some music, a few glasses of wine and talking about when I’m going to get new shoes. We imbibed late into the evening knowing that Friday will be our last day off. Come Saturday morning, it will be back to work. We arose today and Robin looked a little ashen in the face. She had a good sleep so that wasn’t the problem. I suggested some alka-seltzer. She suggested another round of golf. This would be the third time this week however, as the day came to pass, we found this to be the perfect elixir. Going to The Hawk is such a delight. There are two gentlemen at the entrance to the parking arena. They grill dogs and sausage, sell sodas and golf accessories. For some reason, Barry and Chip have taken a liking to us. Their smiles are contagious. They wave as they see the truck approaching. By the time we have our shoes changed they’ve driven a cart over to us. And this is not their job. They look as forward to seeing us as we them. No matter how your day, how your game, or how your swing, they always seem to make you feel better. And if they see Robin plunk her second shot into the water approaching #9, they alway bequeath her with some colored crystal balls at the turn. We stop for a dog, even if we’re not hungry because interacting with them is worth more than the game. Finishing our third round today was just what Robin needed. We went back to the rig, picked up Brutus, and headed to Ephrata. We needed a Walmart fix as the coffee supply was running low and we just needed some more rope lights for the perimeter of our camp site. One can never have enough chotchkies. On the return trip we spied an Amish store that drew us in like a front porch light does to moths on a steamy July night. They had a myriad of colorful flowers teetering off the roof rafters. We’re both succors for hanging baskets. We have them adorning the site, playing border to the rig and stairs. There can never be too many flowers. Feeling a bit queasy, I knew my blood sugar must be running low. I needed to fulfill a penchant to procure some homemade strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. This stop proved to be even better than the Wallyworld mecca. Upon returning home, Robin cleaned the rig, scrubbed our golf clubs and adjusted the charger on the golf cart while I made some kick-ass chicken parmigiana accompanied with a fresh garden salad with homemade sweet bread. Chilling the rest of the evening, I realized that new shoes can wait for payday, other things are far more important for this good life to continue.

More Oddities for us…

larry — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:15:13 +0000

We had two things planned for today; get Robin’s hair trimmed and do some golfing. She asked other workampers about venues for her to get this done. Our setting is a beautiful pastoral setting, high on a hilltop, in a very rural setting. Henceforth, we need to inquire of the whereabouts of almost everything we need to find. She was referred to the nearest local town, New Holland, which is a short 12 miles down route 23. By late morning we drove through Blue Ball, (yes, Virginia, there is a village with this name) and right on into New Holland. The first suggested hair dresser was closed for the day. This may be understandable since it was a Monday, however walking down the street we found the other suggested coiffure closed for good. Perplexed, we sauntered down Main Street, taking in the horse and buggies leading lines of autos awaiting a passing lane. New Holland is best known for their huge farm implements and machinery, but the Mennonite and Amish farms imploring horse drawn cultivators and plows is quite the contrast. Finally she spotted a hair dresser that was open and took walk-ins. She asked for a trim but not too much. I guess the girl didn’t hear her quite well as this is the shortest she’s ever had it. We’ll get used to it, whadaya’ think. On to the golf course. We found the Hawk Valley Course off route 625 just outside of Bowmansville. It looked rather well kept and was in a relatively new housing development. The aesthetic beauty of the place was well apparent. We pulled up to the parking lot and I asked a man standing next to a grill selling hot dogs where the clubhouse was. He stated there was no clubhouse as it was torn down years ago. I asked how do we get a tee time. You don’t he stated, you just go over there and get a cart and start to play. Well, how do I pay I asked. I was told not to worry about it. It would be $20 for the cart and 18 holes and a man would eventually find us on the course and collect our money. I was aghast at the trust and honesty put into this system. But it works. The course was well maintained, the greens were great and by the sixth hole a cart came rolling down the fairway toward us. It was the manager welcoming us and collecting our fee. No checks, no credit cards, just plain cash. Plain and simple, remaining in tow with the rest of the county. Back at Lake in Wood, we walked to our place of work, the Gnome Cafe and met Mike, the Porkmeister. Mike showed us the ropes, explained the processes of operation but also said that new ideas and methods were a welcomed addition. Mike has been chef-ing here for about a year now and is the master griller for outdoor barbecue events. In getting to know him, it seems as if we’re going to hit it off well. His demeanor is laid back and unobtrusive with a large dash of comic relief thrown in. So far, this looks like a good stop for the summer.

Feeling a Bit Rusty

larry — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:55:25 +0000

Its been a few days since my last post but there’s a very viable reason for this. On Friday I drove to Raleigh to spend the night at Erin’s. We did dinner, went to Dick’s to buy a new golf bag cover for flying, and then our usual–Barnes and Noble until it was almost closing time, reading and wandering through the stacks. On Saturday morning I flew to Philly where Ryan picked me up at the exact time I retrieved my golf clubs. From there we met the men in his wedding entourage for a great round of golf near his house. Ryan, Giff, Adam, Ryan, Ed and myself played until it was so dark that we had to eliminate the last hole. We couldn’t see our ball. Back to his house for showers and then down near the Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles to a place called Chickie and Pete’s for some nourishment. We ordered appetizers and two towers of beer to the tune of $180. Way too much to eat and drink. Around 11pm the entire party left the premises to head to Oasis, which is described as a gentleman’s club. I thought I would be the oldest patron in the place but inspiringly enough I wasn’t. As I watched the girls dance I thought how old I had grown as the stimulation and eagerness that I may have found here just ten years ago was absent. These ladies were younger than my daughter but I played the good sport with my young counterparts by smiling and sipping a beer. I decreed myself as the designated driver as the “boys” sampled eight different kinds of shots each. By 1 am. I suggested we leave as my eyes were growing heavy and I had no idea how to get back to Ryan’s. Thank god for Carmen, the lady in the Garmin, leading us back to safety. We rolled in by 2 and Carolyn had bed’s made, futons adorned and blow-up mattresses ensconced in fresh linens for our dizzy and weary heads. Ryan spent about an hour half in the bedroom and half in the bathroom until he finally found the bed. Up the next morning to bid good bye to the rest of the wedding party wishing them well until we meet again this Friday for the wedding rehearsal. Ryan and I left for Jim Clear’s, his future father-in-law’s home as I had procured three tickets to the Eagles-Buccaneers game. I had met a man this summer from Philly out at the Bully Pulpit GC where I was working. He was playing golf in all fifty states. Being a fellow Pennsylvanian we struck up a friendship and one thing led to another. I was able to get these tickets from Keith last month and thought it a nice gesture to have Ryan and his “two dads” attend a game. The Eagles stadium doesn’t have a bad seat at all in it. The upper levels don’t veer out far from the playing field so you don’t seem too far away in any seat. We had a great day and after the game we went back to Jim’s as his wife Pat had fixed an excellent dinner of beef stew, coleslaw, spiced tomatoes, bread and chocolate cake. They made me feel more at home than anywhere else beside my own home. Monday morning Ryan dropped me off at the airport for my flight back to Raleigh. On the way back to Robin, it hit me. I felt so sleepy I could hardly keep my eyes open enough to drive. My lower back was killing me and my muscles started to ache. Oh no! Here comes the malaise that is soon followed by the flu. The timing couldn’t be worse. The wedding is in five days. The past two days have been a series of restroom visits, excrutiating abdominal cramps, sweating, and hovering over the john head. I literally thought I had food poisoning from perhaps a bad hot dog at the stadium. But thankfully it was only one of the 48 hour viruses. Feeling much better today, although still a bit washed out. We travel to Raleigh to pick up Erins items that she doesn’t want to fly to Philly for the wedding and deposit Brutus at a doggie hotel located within the Petsmart there. That is another story that I will soon detail. What a business. Have a great day.

Clean,then the Greens

larry — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:35:05 +0000

This morning turned into a cleaning frenzy. It wasn’t planned that way. I just wanted to get outside and enjoy all the sunshine. Then I noticed all the bugs on the front of the truck. And the water spots on the Goldwing along with all the dust. Getting cleaning products out of the rear bay put me on track to then take on the underneath bays next. Robin got busy inside taking down window blinds and scrubbing them, vacuuming, and applying Clorox cleanup to everything she could. Every time I do this I keep finding things that we haven’t used in months and wonder why I brought it along. By the time we had everything spit shined it was almost one in the afternoon. You see, everyday here on the road isn’t ladened with fun and games. There is work to be done and many of our hours are as hum-drum as anyone else’s. So we decided to treat ourselves to a round of golf. There’s a decent flat course about 20 miles down I-95 and at $44 for both of us, you can’t beat the price. The only thing is the course isn’t well manicured and one could find themselves losing a ball in the fairway as the rye is tall and soft. Robin beat me on the front nine. I told her that it was because I was worrying about her game too much but she doesn’t try to kill the ball and usually hits it straight down the middle as a result. So much for ego. Picked up a few items at Walmart on the way home, dined on salad and salmon and settled in to watch the Thursday night line-up. A pretty productive day, all in all.

Changes

larry — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:46:02 +0000

[ad]

The past few days have been busier than I would have imagined. Medical tests, blood tests, and a drudging visit to the dentist have taken up a large part of two days. However, I did get a chance to shop for a new pair of shoes. After all, going to a wedding rehearsal dinner in crocs or running shoes probably wouldn’t fare too well. Fall is starting to happen here. I can feel it in the air. School is in and the talk already is surrounding Friday Night Lights. Played a bit of golf and will continue to do so the rest of the week. I noticed the metamorphosis of the plant life preparing for that dismal vacuum of cold and clouds. My nephew Eric and I rode today and motorcycle shopped. I decided I’ll keep what I have. No ride can compare to the GoldWing. This afternoon I get the results of the brain MRI so keep your fingers crossed for me.
One last thing. I need to think Howard and Linda Payne for their lead and recommendation. We have secured positions for the spring and summer of 2010 at the Thunder Bay Golf and RV Resort. Their information and helped paved the way for another summer on the links.