Fore

By Greg Johnson, For The Mountain Times

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to another edition of Fore, your source for all things golf.  This is the place to come if you’re dying to catch up on local gossip within the mountain golf community.  You may notice that your regular voice has taken a little sabbatical, and I have been bestowed the honor of filling in.  I will try my best to live up to the standards Bradford has set, and I understand that those are some big shoes to fill … or should I say big Crocs to fill. I have to admit that it’s been a few years since I have been tasked with writing a newspaper article, and I hope that the lessons I learned while toiling away on my high school paper still resonate.  I believe that most of the rules still apply when it comes to writing, with the biggest difference being I no longer have to pound this out on a manual typewriter! Now let’s talk a little golf.  

I keep hearing that golf is a game which you cannot beat. But dagnabbit, it ain’t for a lack of trying. While I may not be able to “win golf,” I am not going to let it beat me. I am finding that golf, in a lot of ways, is like an 80s adventure movie.  You know, the ones where a group of young friends, or random misfits, endure a series of challenges, setbacks, and victories while trying to achieve their goal.  Ultimately, the journey is more significant than the actual destination. Each round of golf offers us an opportunity for personal growth, enhanced self-discipline, strategic calculations, and on some days, personal enlightenment. In addition, golf gives us a chance to bond with both neighbors and strangers alike, often working together, offering advice to one another, and learning from those shared experiences – in the end, uniting a community. Golf can be so much more than just a walk in the park: you just have to believe.  Who knew that a silly game which we all enjoy playing could be so impactful on such a meta level.  

But I digress. You came here for the gossip, not for existential rhetoric. Before I get to the juicy stuff, let me share with you a few notes from the season thus far.  The Mt Hood Golf Club kicked off its season with the annual new members open, which is a friendly scramble to meet the new folks and catch up with old friends. The turnout was amazing, the golf was passable, but most importantly, good times were had. For those interested in becoming a part of the club, check out mymthoodgolfclub.com. The club offers weekly games, open to players of all skill levels, as well as several tournaments throughout the summer.  Additional perks include discounts on greens fees, pro shop merchandise, and resort dining.  So come play some golf, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the beauty of where we live. Who knows, you may just find your new passion. I also want to give a shout out to the crew at the Resort as the course is looking fantastic.   

Well shoot, it appears that I have run out of space. I regret to say that the juicy dirt will have to wait until next time. That is assuming they let me write this column again. If not, I guess it just gives me more time to work on my short game. Hope to see you on the course.