May I Suggest a New Year's Resolution?

Happy New Year, 2010. If you are like me, most of you in the next day or so will have a stream of consciousness about resolving to do something toward self  improvement in the year ahead. Let me share my all time favorite book, Golf in the Kingdom, with you, and recommend you add this to your must read list for the New Year. This masterpiece by Michael Murphy will captivate golfers and non-players as well.  Not a book to improve your score; but a mystical story designed to transform your perspective on life.  Yes it will. It did for me.

Several years ago while on a business trip to Richmond, VA I was given this book by Mr. Bernard Savage, a prominent Realtor and golfer extraordinaire. As well as a true Virginia gentleman. I read the book on my return flight to Connecticut. The next week I read it again on a flight to California and re-read it again on the return flight.  What an impact it had on me. After this I could not wait to give this book to friends and clients who loved golf.  These books were presented with just one instruction: Enjoy and pass it on to another golfer.Who knows, some of these may still be traveling along to more golfers. I have enjoyed this wonderful story at least a dozen more times since it first came to me. This is clearly the best expression of the relative elation and charm of the game that has ever been recorded. Filled with instructions that are obvious as well as understated about life lessons discovered in a single round of golf.
Golf in the Kingdom repositions the spotlight back on the personal and sacred behaviors of the game; something we must all re-visit from time to time. Find or buy a copy. Read, pass it on, and let me know what you thought about this journey as well as my suggestion to experience it first hand.
Bet you will read it more than once.

Roberto Clemente was simply the best ever . . . .

New Year's Eve is just a few nights away and thoughts of 2009 will give way to resolutions for 2010. The end of the year for the last 37 years has always been a moment for me to reflect upon the greatest baseball player I ever saw: Roberto Clemente. He met his untimely death on December 31, 1972 in a plane crash while taking supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake victims. He was more than a Hall of Fame baseball player and never forgot his native Puerto Rican heritage. Best arm ever to play right field. He routinely would throw out a batter who just singled to right and took a big turn toward second base. BTW, he would pick them off with an underhanded throw, like a softball pitcher. He could throw a ball on the fly from the warning track in Forbes Field directly to the waiting catcher crouched behind the plate with the ball never touching the ground. Bob Prince, fabled Pirate broadcaster, described this type of throw  as a "frozen rope." It sure was. I once introduced Roberto to my BFF, Tom Murray, while we were waiting outside the ball park. #21 was a complete gentleman and never once let on he did not know me from the man in the moon. Take a few moments to learn more about this great man go here .
Happy New Year!

Three Amigos: Tiger, Charles, and Michael

Vegas, high stakes gambling, women, power, etc. You get the picture. If Tiger was rolling with Charles and Michael, how was this kept on the down low? What did Tiger do differently to expose his transgressions? He differentiated himself from these two when he voiced his vows to Elin. If Tiger was single, this hurricane would have been long gone. For now, there does not seem to be an end in sight.  

Read more about how the 3 amigos roll . . . .        

Would Divorce Give Tiger a Mulligan?

Perhaps, a clean break is what is needed here to get all concerned parties back on track. Elin has been rumored to be in negotiations with Reebok for a shoe deal. Why not? Good for her. Take all the money you can garner and move on. Same for Tiger. The sooner it is decided, the better for them both, as well as the entire golfing world.
Who among us has never benefited from a mulligan?

For the latest on the divorce Go here . . . .

You Voted. And the Winners Are . . .

Thanks to all of my social networks for offering their favorite golf gift suggestions. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIN, have all weighed in how to spend a total of  $100 on 3 golf gifts. I was overwhelmed by the response and most grateful for everybody taking the time to do so. The analytical decision was very clear for two great gifts and most clouded about a third choice due to hundreds of  single items recommended. Thus, no consensus  for third gift. I must admit I am partial to sustainable things and like our two winners for just that. They will last you longer than the expensive golf shirt you bought and, after washing just once, now looks like the tee shirt your uncle wears to mow the lawn. Or the dozen golf balls long gone to their great reward. Something reusable, long lasting, and endurable is what we need here.

And here they are . . .

First gift creating the most buzz on social media networks for golf Christmas gifts:

 

Should you have a golfer in your life that loves to play private courses but does not want to join any of them, this is the ideal gift. Do they want to play that private course down the road but don't know a member? Now there's a way to test drive private courses across the country without risking the trespassing charge. A new online service called Boxgroove.com provides access to tee times at private clubs. Boxgroove with over 70  participating courses and over 650 members, some of whom hold memberships at private clubs and may be willing to host other Boxgroove.com members. The company plans to be in 30 states by summer 2010 and eventually to take the service international. A sustainable gift that keeps on giving. Just click on the banner below for more information regarding the extra awards you receive with a gift subscription.
A true value for $49.