By Ted Blofsky, Jr.
Happy New Year!
By now, most of your new resolutions have been broken. You're sick and tired of the cold and fog. You're upset that football season, especially the National Football League, is just about over.
But, you are extremely happy you are not facing the trials and tribulations of a guy named Tiger Woods. I am among those who are stunned by his "transgressions." I am not naïve, but once you have been around or just in the vicinity of Tiger, you just don't get it. His singleness of mind for the game of golf and his rigid self discipline, or appearance of such, just don't coincide with actual events.
The game did not need this. But it will survive. Television ratings will suffer and sponsors of PGA events will drop along the wayside. That was going to happen anyway. You can't beat the economy, unless you are a highly-paid free agent. (Most pro sports have cut back, but only in the office personnel. Ever wonder how many administrative assistants you have to let go to pay for a multi-million dollar contract?)
Sports, including golf, will continue to be the playgrounds for those of us who live vicariously through athletes and their accomplishments. Hero worship is alive and well in the United States. Opportunities will be fewer because of cutbacks but they will still be there.
In the meantime, add another resolution or two. Get out there and watch the local high school, Butte College and Chico State athletes in action. I don't like admitting I have been extremely lax in that area. Since wife Jan and I have moved back to Chico full time that will change. We should never have opted for taking down Christmas decorations rather than watching the Wildcats beat Cal Poly Pomona in overtime. Hopefully, however, there won't be many more Sunday afternoon contests.
I have been warned by many of the Wildcat followers that parking is a disaster and can be extremely costly if you park in the wrong place. Even in earlier years parking was bad but those who talked to us have cut their attendance accordingly. That's especially true in bad weather.
It may not be spring or summer, but there are other ways to shake the winter blues. Make vacation plans soon and lock in the rates that are being offered. If you like to drive, take a jaunt up Interstate 5 and on into Canada. A group of Chicoans did that last July. Some flew but most did not. The golf courses in Victoria, B.C. were beautiful and in fantastic condition. There are numerous non-golfer activities, too.
San Diego, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Tucson, Monterey and Hawaii. Take your pick. You can drive to any of those except, of course, Hawaii. Even at new and current lower pricing, Monterey and Hawaii are pricey for golf unless you check around and find afternoon rates. If you are a senior golfer, that's even better.
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What was my favorite new course of the year? The Bear Mountain Course in Victoria was outstanding. It has a 19th hole, a short par-3, on the highest part of the mountain. It there's for wagering and overlooking Victoria and across the water to Seattle. Our group also played Bear Valley at that resort. It also is a fine course and extremely challenging, especially the rolling putting surfaces.
Best public complex? That has not changed. We-Ko-Pa in Fort McDowell just outside Phoenix and Scottsdale has two really good golf courses, a fine golf shop and bar and restaurant. It is well worth the 45-minute drive it could take from most area resorts.
Best arrival and or getaway course? Without a doubt, Karsten GC in Tempe is the Arizona State home links. It is not as tough as many of those in the desert, but in is fun and just a short ride to the Phoenix Airport.
Still No. 1? Without a doubt, my favorite is Spyglass Hill. It takes every shot in the bag to play this one and most of us don't have those shots left in our bag. That means little as you play and take in the trees, ocean, lakes undulating greens and doglegs. Don't give up the game until you've played here. And, while you are on the Peninsula, spend the money and go to Pebble Beach for golf, dining and shopping.
The courses mentioned above are public venues. There are many wonderful private links. Of course, C-y-p-r-e-s-s P-o-i-n-t has few challengers as best in the United States and maybe anywhere. I have never played Pine Valley, but it must be really good. A list of private clubs with two courses would have to contain Monterey Peninsula CC and Whisper Rock in Scottsdale.
This is just a small sampling. We'll get into different courses and resorts this some time this year. We're headed to Tucson and Western Washington for spring and summer outings.
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Off the cuff: My mentor of years past, the late Eddie Booth, told me, and anyone else who wanted to listen, not to bet with your heart but with your wallet. I remembered the advice but did not heed it while picking my players and teams for a fantasy football pool. Gone from the NFL playoffs are Green Bay and Chicoan Aaron Rodgers. Gone are San Diego and Philip Rivers. Six years in San Diego made me a Chargers fan. Eddie, you were right. Gone are my chances of victory in the fantasy league ... Does it bother anyone else that mandatory physical education and/or participation in athletics are not part of the education system like they were in the good old days. Now there are many taking potshots at funds used for athletics. Physical education is a dirty word in many schools. All coaches used to be on the teaching staff and not hired at large. The rate of obesity and subsequent ailments are too much a part of our culture. Bring back physical education. That's not the only answer, but it sure can't hurt ... The San Diego Open at Torrey Pines has found a sponsor. Farmers Insurance has filled the void for the Jan. 28-31 event ...
(Ted Blofsky can be e-mailed at grampsblof@aol.com)

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